Kidney stone pain has a reputation for being one of the worst types of pain a person can experience. It often starts suddenly and becomes intense quickly. One minute you feel fine. The next, you’re struggling to get comfortable because of severe pain.
Many people describe kidney stone pain as sharp, severe, and impossible to ignore. Knowing what kidney stone pain feels like and when it may signal a more serious problem can help you decide when to seek medical care.
Why Do Kidney Stones Cause Pain?
A kidney stone forms when minerals in the urine stick together and harden into a crystal-like mass.
Pain often begins when the stone moves into the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. As the stone travels, it can slow or block the flow of urine. Pressure builds inside the kidney, and the ureter may tighten around the stone as it tries to push it forward.
The result is the severe pain commonly associated with kidney stones.
What Does Kidney Stone Pain Feel Like?
Kidney stone pain is usually sharp, severe, and comes in waves. The pain may get worse, ease up for a short time, and then return again within minutes.
Changing positions rarely helps. Sitting, standing, walking, or lying down usually doesn’t relieve the pain because the problem is happening inside the urinary tract.
Kidney stone pain also tends to move. A stone higher in the urinary tract may cause pain in the side or back near the ribs. As the stone moves lower, the pain often shifts to the:
- Lower abdomen
- Groin
- Pelvis
- Testicle or scrotum
- Urethra
The pain often moves as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
Do Kidney Stones Have Other Symptoms Beyond Pain?
Yes. Kidney stones can irritate the urinary tract and affect the normal flow of urine. This can lead to symptoms such as:
- Blood in the urine
- Burning with urination
- Frequent urination
- Strong urge to urinate
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cloudy urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Difficulty urinating
Blood in the urine may appear pink, red, brown, or tea-colored. In some cases, it can only be seen during urine testing.
Can You Have a Kidney Stone and Only Mild Pain?
Yes. Not every kidney stone causes severe pain right away. Some stones cause mild discomfort, pressure, or no symptoms at all.
Pain often becomes more noticeable once the stone starts moving through the ureter or begins to interfere with the flow of urine.
When Are Kidney Stones Dangerous?
Kidney stones can become dangerous if urine gets trapped behind a blockage and an infection develops.
When urine can’t drain properly, pressure builds inside the kidney. If bacteria become trapped at the same time, the infection can spread quickly and become a medical emergency.
Seek immediate medical care if you develop:
- Fever
- Chills
- Severe vomiting
- Inability to urinate
- Confusion
- Extreme weakness
- Severe or worsening pain
A blocked, infected kidney can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to infection that requires emergency treatment.
When to Seek Help for Kidney Stone Pain
Kidney stone pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that sends you to the emergency room. While some stones pass on their own, others require treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
If you’re experiencing kidney stone pain, blood in the urine, or other urinary symptoms, don’t ignore them. The team at Atlantic Urology Clinics can determine what’s causing your symptoms. We can treat kidney stones the same day if they are present.
If you’re experiencing kidney stone pain in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, or Conway, SC, schedule an appointment with Atlantic Urology Clinics today.