A kidney stone can cause some of the most intense pain people ever experience. The pain often starts suddenly in your side or back and may come in waves that make it hard to sit still or get comfortable.
If you’re wondering, “What do kidney stones feel like?” the most common symptoms include sharp, cramping pain in the flank, lower abdomen, or groin. Kidney stones can also cause blood in the urine, burning with urination, nausea, and a frequent urge to urinate.
Where Is Kidney Stone Pain Located?
Kidney stone pain usually begins in the flank, which is the side of the body between the ribs and the hip. The pain may stay there or travel downward toward the:
- Lower abdomen
- Groin
- Pelvis
What Does Kidney Stone Pain Feel Like?
What sets kidney stone pain apart from many other types of pain is that it often comes in waves. The discomfort may suddenly intensify, ease slightly, then build again. The pain can feel relentless. You may pace, change positions, and still struggle to get comfortable.
The actual sensation can vary depending on where the stone is located and whether it is blocking urine flow. People often describe the pain as:
- Sharp
- Cramping
- Stabbing discomfort in the side or back
- Pressure in the lower abdomen
- Radiating toward the groin
- Sudden and severe
- Pain that comes in waves
Kidney stones can also cause nausea and vomiting. This happens because the kidneys and digestive system share nerve pathways.
Other Symptoms That Can Happen With Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can also cause changes in urination, including:
- Blood in the urine
- Burning with urination
- Urinary frequency
- Feeling an urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty passing urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Sometimes the symptoms can feel like a urinary tract infection, especially if burning and frequent urination are present.
Not all kidney stones cause severe pain immediately. Smaller stones may cause mild, intermittent aching or urinary irritation before more intense symptoms develop.
When Kidney Stone Symptoms Are an Emergency
Seek medical care right away if you develop:
- Severe pain that is difficult to control
- Fever or chills
- Vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
- Difficulty urinating
- Inability to urinate
- Large amounts of blood in the urine
- Severe weakness or dizziness
Fever with kidney stone symptoms can be a sign of infection behind a blockage. This is a medical emergency and may require immediate treatment.
When To See a Urologist for Kidney Stones
Even if your symptoms are not an emergency, it’s still a good idea to see a urologist. Symptoms alone can’t reliably tell you how large the stone is or whether it is likely to pass safely on its own.
You should see a urologist if your symptoms are:
- Persistent
- Repeatedly returning
- Becoming more painful
- Interfering with eating or drinking
- Interrupting sleep or daily activities
What Do Kidney Stones Feel Like? When To Seek Treatment
Kidney stone pain can range from mild discomfort to severe symptoms that require urgent treatment. Understanding what kidney stones feel like can help you recognize when it’s time to seek medical care.
If you’re experiencing severe pain, blood in your urine, or ongoing urinary symptoms, help is available. If you’re in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, or Conway, call 843.347.2450 to schedule an appointment and start feeling like yourself again.