Pain in your urinary tract can range from frustrating to debilitating. It can be challenging to tell what is happening when you feel it. You may wonder if it’s due to a kidney stone vs UTI so you can get the best treatment quickly. Here’s how to tell the difference.
What is a Kidney Stone?
A kidney stone is a solid mass of crystals forming in the kidneys. When certain substances in your urine are too high, they can clump together to create a stone. These substances include calcium, oxalates, and uric acid.
Some stones are small enough to pass unnoticed. Others can be larger and cause significant discomfort.
Kidney stones sitting inside the kidney may not cause any symptoms. If they start to move from the kidney into the ureter, they can block the flow of urine. This can cause severe pain. It often comes in waves and may radiate from your back to your lower abdomen or groin.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A UTI occurs when bacteria, usually E. coli, enter the urinary tract and multiply. This can happen if bacteria from the digestive system or skin enter through the urethra.
UTIs can affect any part of the urinary tract but are most commonly found in the bladder and urethra. Symptoms include:
- A burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urges to urinate
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
If left untreated, a UTI can spread to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. This is a more serious infection.
Are You at Risk For a UTI or Kidney Stones?
Both kidney stones and UTIs have specific contributing factors.
Kidney Stones
Dehydration is a major trigger for kidney stones. It concentrates urine, which increases the chance of stone formation. High-salt, high-protein, and oxalate-rich diets may raise the risk. Foods like spinach and chocolate are high in oxalates. Other factors include:
- A family history of kidney stones
- Obesity
- Certain medical conditions, such as gout or frequent urinary tract infections
UTIs
Women are more prone to UTIs than men. Their urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Sexual activity and hormonal changes during menopause can also contribute.
In addition, people with weakened immune systems, diabetes, or abnormalities in the urinary tract are more likely to get UTIs.
Kidney Stone vs. UTI: Key Differences
While kidney stones and UTIs both affect the urinary tract, they have distinct differences.
1. Pain location and type
Kidney stones often cause severe, cramping pain. It starts in the back or side and may radiate to the lower abdomen or groin. UTI-related discomfort is often felt as a constant burning or pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvic area.
2. Urge to urinate
Both conditions can increase the feeling of a need to urinate. But, with a UTI, the urge is typically constant, and each time only small amounts of urine are passed. With kidney stones, the urge may be linked to the stone moving through the urinary tract.
3. Presence of fever
A fever is more commonly associated with UTIs, especially if the infection has reached the kidneys. Kidney stones don’t usually cause a fever unless there is also an infection.
Testing For Kidney Stones vs. UTI
Your doctor may test you to find the cause if you have these symptoms.
- A urinalysis. This tests your urine for infection or blood. Both could mean you have a UTI or a kidney stone.
- An ultrasound or CT scan. These imaging tests allow your doctor to visualize the urinary tract. They can look for kidney stones or signs of infection in the kidneys.
- A urine culture and sensitivity test. If a UTI is suspected, a urine culture can identify the specific bacteria responsible. A sensitivity test is usually performed at the same time. It helps identify which antibiotic will work best to eliminate the bacteria.
Treatment for Kidney Stones vs. UTI
Effective treatment varies depending on whether you have a kidney stone or a UTI.
Small stones often pass on their own by drinking enough water and managing pain. But larger stones may need medical help. Shock wave lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up stones. It is a common treatment for larger stones. Some urology practices offer same-day lithotripsy, so you don’t have to wait. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
UTIs are generally treated with antibiotics to clear the infection. Completing the full course of antibiotics is essential to prevent recurrence. Staying hydrated and urinating often can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract and support healing.
If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms and are wondering if you have kidney stones vs. UTI, don’t delay. Call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment today!