Kidney Stones: Signs and Symptoms
Signs, symptoms and risk factors of kidney stones

Passing a kidney stone is an excruciatingly painful experience. Kidney stone incidences have been increasing in recent decades and experts believe lack of fluids and diet choices may contribute to this increase. Kidney stones are discovered through X-rays for an unrelated condition or when medical care is sought for other problems such as bloody urine or urinary tract infections.
When a kidney stone breaks lose and begins to work its way down the kidneys into your bladder, the pain becomes agonizing. Kidney stones form when urine becomes too concentrating, making crystals form in urine on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. These crystals combine to become a hard mass.
Most small kidney stones pass into your bladder without causing any permanent damage. It’s important to determine the underlying cause to rule out other causes. Drinking more water and making dietary changes could be enough to keep kidney stones from coming back.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms are not likely to occur unless the kidney stone causes a blockage or is being passed. The most common symptom experienced is a pain that lasts 5 to 15 minutes. The pain may start in your back or side. The pain may lower down to your abdomen, groin, and genitals as the stone moves downward. Other symptoms include bloody, cloudy urine, nausea and vomiting, persistent need to urinate, and fever and chills.
Risk factors
The following factors could lead to increased risk of getting kidney stones.
Lack of fluids – Your urine will have higher concentrations of substances that form stones if you don’t drink enough water. Drink more water if you live in a hot, arid climate.
Family or personal history – You are more likely to get kidney stones when someone in your family has kidney stones.
Age, sex and race – People who develop kidney stones are between 20 and 70 years in age, with men being more likely to develop kidney stones than women. White Americans are also at a higher risk of kidney stones than black Americans.
Certain diseases – Having certain diseases such as renal tubular acidosis and cystinuria may increase your risk of kidney stones. Common disorders gout, chronic urinary tract infections and hyperparathyroidism can also increase your risk for kidney stones.
Diet – If your diet is high in protein and sodium, and low in whole grains and calcium, it may increase your risk of kidney stones.
Limited activity – You have a higher risk of developing kidney stones if you're bedridden or very sedentary for a long period of time. Limited activity causes your body to release more calcium, leading to calcium deposits that can turn into kidney stones.