Kidney stones can remain inside the kidney without producing noticeable symptoms. Problems often begin when a stone moves into the ureter, irritates the urinary tract or interferes with urine flow.

Common symptoms may include:

• Sudden sharp pain in the back or side

• Pain spreading toward the lower abdomen or groin

• Blood in the urine

• Pain or burning during urination

• Frequent or urgent need to urinate

• Passing only a small amount of urine

• Cloudy or unpleasant-smelling urine

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fever or chills, particularly when infection is present

The exact symptoms depend on the stone's size, location and whether it is causing obstruction.

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides specialist evaluation for kidney stones and associated kidney-function concerns.

1. Sudden Pain in the Side or Back

One of the most recognizable symptoms of a symptomatic kidney stone is sharp pain in the flank or back.

The pain may:

• Begin suddenly

• Become intense

• Come and go in waves

• Affect one side more than the other

• Move as the stone travels through the urinary tract

A stone that enters the ureter may cause particularly severe pain because it can interfere with the normal flow of urine.

However, not every episode of back pain is caused by a kidney stone. Muscle, spine and other abdominal or urinary conditions can produce similar discomfort.

2. Pain That Moves Toward the Lower Abdomen or Groin

Kidney stone pain does not always remain in the same place.

As a stone travels down the ureter, discomfort may be felt in the:

• Side

• Lower abdomen

• Pelvic region

• Groin

This changing pattern can be an important clue, particularly when it occurs together with urinary symptoms or blood in the urine.

3. Blood in the Urine

Another common symptom is hematuria, meaning blood in the urine.

Urine may appear:

• Pink

• Red

• Brown

Sometimes the amount of blood is too small to see and is detected only through urine testing.

A kidney stone can irritate the urinary tract and cause bleeding, but blood in the urine has many other possible causes. It should therefore be evaluated rather than automatically attributed to a stone.

4. Burning or Pain While Urinating

A stone located closer to the bladder may cause discomfort during urination.

A person may notice:

• Burning

• Stinging

• Pain while passing urine

• Increased urinary urgency

These symptoms can also occur with a urinary tract infection. If urinary pain is accompanied by fever, chills or significant flank pain, medical assessment becomes particularly important.

5. Frequent Urination or Sudden Urgency

A kidney stone that moves toward the lower urinary tract may create a persistent sensation that you need to urinate.

You may feel:

• An urgent need to use the toilet

• A need to urinate repeatedly

• That only a small quantity is coming out

Frequent urination alone does not prove the presence of a kidney stone because infections, bladder disorders and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

6. Nausea and Vomiting

Kidney stone pain can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

Severe pain and irritation of the urinary tract can trigger gastrointestinal symptoms.

Persistent vomiting is important because it can cause dehydration and may make it difficult for a person to maintain adequate fluid intake. People who cannot keep fluids down may require medical assessment and, in some cases, treatment with intravenous fluids.

7. Cloudy or Bad-Smelling Urine

A change in the appearance or smell of urine can occur with urinary tract problems.

Cloudy or foul-smelling urine may be associated with infection, although it is not specific to kidney stones.

When a person with suspected stones also develops fever, chills or worsening illness, infection should be considered and evaluated promptly.

8. Difficulty Passing Urine

A stone can sometimes interfere with urine flow.

Warning symptoms include:

• Difficulty starting urination

• Passing very little urine

• Feeling unable to empty the bladder

• Very low urine output

Complete inability to urinate or markedly reduced urine output requires prompt medical evaluation because urinary obstruction can become serious.

9. Fever and Chills With Kidney Stone Symptoms

Fever and chills should not be ignored.

A straightforward stone does not typically cause fever. When fever or chills occur together with stone-related pain or urinary obstruction, a urinary infection may be present.

An infected obstructed urinary tract can become a medical emergency and may require urgent treatment to restore urine drainage.

Therefore, a person with suspected kidney stones who develops fever, chills or rapidly worsening illness should seek urgent medical attention.

Can Kidney Stones Have No Symptoms?

Yes.

A stone may remain inside the kidney without causing pain or obvious urinary changes.

Small stones may sometimes pass through the urinary tract without the person realizing it. Larger stones are more likely to become lodged and cause pain, bleeding or urinary blockage.

This is why a kidney stone discovered incidentally on an ultrasound or CT scan should still be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Do Kidney Stones Always Cause Severe Pain?

No.

The intensity of symptoms varies.

Some stones cause severe renal colic, while others produce mild discomfort or no symptoms at all.

Pain severity should not be used by itself to determine the size or seriousness of a stone. The stone's location, degree of obstruction, infection status and effect on kidney function are also important.

What Does Kidney Stone Pain Feel Like?

People often describe kidney stone pain as:

• Sharp

• Cramping

• Severe

• Intermittent

• Difficult to get comfortable with

The pain may fluctuate in intensity rather than remaining constant.

Its location can also change as the stone moves down the urinary tract.

However, similar pain can occur with other conditions, so symptoms alone cannot confirm a kidney stone.

Are Early Kidney Stone Symptoms Different From Later Symptoms?

Not necessarily.

There is no single sequence that every kidney stone follows.

Some people have no symptoms until the stone obstructs urine flow. Others may first notice urinary discomfort or blood in the urine.

As the stone moves, pain can change location and additional symptoms such as nausea, urgency or painful urination may develop.

For this reason, a new combination of flank pain and urinary symptoms deserves appropriate evaluation.

How Are Kidney Stones Confirmed?

Symptoms can suggest a stone, but a diagnosis generally requires clinical assessment and, when appropriate, testing.

Urine Examination

A urine test may identify:

• Blood

• White blood cells

• Bacteria

• Crystals

• Other abnormalities

Urinalysis can help identify both stone-related findings and possible urinary infection.

Blood Tests

Depending on the situation, doctors may assess:

• Creatinine

• Kidney function

• Electrolytes

• Blood count

• Other relevant parameters

Blood testing can be particularly useful when obstruction, infection or reduced kidney function is suspected.

Imaging

Imaging may be used to determine:

• Stone location

• Stone size

• Number of stones

• Urinary obstruction

• Kidney swelling or other abnormalities

Ultrasound can be useful in many situations, while CT may provide more detailed information when clinically appropriate.

What Treatment Is Used When Kidney Stones Cause Symptoms?

Treatment depends on the stone's size, location, composition, symptoms and effect on urinary drainage.

Observation

Some smaller stones can pass naturally and may be monitored when there are no concerning complications.

Pain Management

Appropriate pain-relieving treatment may be prescribed depending on the person's kidney function, medical history and other medicines.

Medical Treatment for Selected Stones

In selected cases, medicines may be used to help facilitate stone passage or prevent future stones. The choice depends on the stone's characteristics and the patient's clinical situation.

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Shock waves can be used to fragment suitable stones into smaller pieces.

Ureteroscopy and Laser Treatment

A ureteroscope can be passed through the urinary tract to reach the stone. Laser energy may then be used to fragment it, with fragments removed or allowed to pass depending on the situation.

PCNL

For larger or complex kidney stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) may be considered.

The appropriate procedure should be selected after imaging and specialist assessment rather than simply based on symptoms.

Can Drinking Water Remove a Kidney Stone?

Adequate fluid intake can be important for stone prevention and may support passage of selected small stones when a healthcare professional recommends it.

However, drinking excessive amounts of water does not guarantee that a stone will pass.

If a stone is obstructing the urinary tract, forcing large quantities of fluid can increase discomfort and does not remove the physical blockage.

People with kidney failure, heart disease or prescribed fluid restrictions should follow their healthcare professional's fluid advice.

When Are Kidney Stone Symptoms an Emergency?

Seek urgent medical attention if suspected kidney stone symptoms occur with:

• Fever or chills

• Very little or no urine

• Severe or worsening pain

• Persistent vomiting

• Significant weakness

• Confusion

• Severe urinary difficulty

• Rapid deterioration in health

A stone that blocks urine flow can lead to complications, including urinary infection and loss of kidney function if not appropriately managed.

Can Kidney Stones Damage the Kidneys?

Many kidney stones do not cause permanent kidney damage when appropriately evaluated and treated.

However, complications can occur when stones cause persistent obstruction, recurrent infection or other urinary problems.

Untreated stones may lead to severe pain, blood in urine, urinary infections and, in some cases, loss of kidney function.

This is why recurring symptoms or a known obstructing stone should not be ignored.

How Can Future Kidney Stones Be Prevented?

Prevention depends on the type of stone and the reason it formed.

A specialist may recommend:

• Appropriate fluid intake

• Lowering excessive dietary sodium

• Maintaining an appropriate dietary pattern

• Reviewing animal-protein intake when relevant

• Avoiding unnecessary supplements

• Stone analysis when a stone is recovered

• Metabolic evaluation for selected recurrent stone formers

• Preventive medicines when indicated

Fluid needs should be individualized, particularly in people with kidney disease or heart conditions.

Kidney Stone Evaluation at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides individualized kidney evaluation for patients with kidney stones and related kidney-function concerns.

Depending on the patient's symptoms and medical history, evaluation may include:

• Review of the pain pattern

• Urine examination

• Kidney-function assessment

• Creatinine and eGFR testing

• Blood tests when indicated

• Review of ultrasound or CT reports

• Assessment for urinary obstruction

• Evaluation for recurrent stones

• Review of associated kidney disease

• Preventive kidney-care planning

• Coordination with appropriate urological specialists when stone removal is required

The treatment plan depends on the stone's characteristics and the patient's overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common symptoms of kidney stones?

Common symptoms include sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen or groin, blood in urine, painful urination, urinary urgency or frequency, nausea and vomiting.

Where does kidney stone pain usually start?

Pain commonly occurs in the back or side and may spread toward the lower abdomen or groin as the stone moves through the ureter.

Can kidney stones cause blood in urine?

Yes. Kidney stones can irritate the urinary tract and cause visible or microscopic blood in the urine. However, other urinary conditions can also cause hematuria.

Can a kidney stone cause nausea?

Yes. Nausea and vomiting can occur along with kidney stone pain.

Can kidney stones cause fever?

Fever can occur when infection is present. Fever or chills together with suspected urinary obstruction should be treated as a warning sign requiring prompt medical assessment.

Can you have a kidney stone without pain?

Yes. Some stones cause few or no symptoms, particularly while they remain in the kidney and do not obstruct urine flow.

What should I do if I have kidney stone symptoms?

Seek medical evaluation, particularly if the pain is severe, symptoms persist or you develop blood in urine, vomiting, reduced urine, fever or chills. Testing can determine whether a stone is present and whether it is causing obstruction or infection.

Do all kidney stones require surgery?

No. Some smaller stones can pass naturally. Larger, obstructing, painful or complicated stones may require active treatment such as shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy or PCNL.

Conclusion

The common symptoms of kidney stones include sudden flank or back pain, pain that may move toward the lower abdomen or groin, blood in the urine, urinary discomfort, frequent urination, nausea and vomiting.

However, kidney stones do not always cause symptoms. A stone may remain unnoticed until it moves or obstructs urine flow.

Because similar symptoms can occur with urinary infections and other medical conditions, proper evaluation is important. Urine testing, blood tests and imaging can help establish the diagnosis and identify complications.

Fever, chills, very low urine output, severe pain, persistent vomiting or rapidly worsening symptoms require prompt medical attention.

For individualized evaluation of kidney stones and related kidney-function concerns, consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or individualized medical advice. Kidney stone symptoms can vary considerably, and similar symptoms may occur with urinary infections, obstruction and other abdominal or urinary conditions. Do not self-medicate with antibiotics, painkillers or stone-removal medicines without professional guidance. Do not attempt to force a suspected obstructing stone to pass by drinking excessive amounts of water. Seek urgent medical attention for fever or chills with suspected kidney stones, severe or worsening pain, persistent vomiting, very little or no urine, confusion or sudden deterioration in health. Consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke or another qualified healthcare professional for appropriate evaluation and treatment.