Kidney Stones Treatment and Pain

Kidney stone pain is usually the first symptom of kidney stones to appear. For many people this pain is extreme and appears in the back or side where the kidney is located. Pain may also appear in the lower abdomen and even spread to the groin. The kidney stones pain can be sharp or cramping and be accompanied by nausea, fever, vomiting, and even mental confusion.

Kidney stone pain can vary in location and intensity. Flank pain is pain on one side of the body. It usually occurs between the upper abdomen and the back Right back flank pain or left back flank pain occurs as the stone travels through the urinary tract. The ureter is narrow, so as the muscles try to push the stone through, the back pain or side pain can become increasingly worse.

As the stone heads to the bladder, it may block the flow of urine and cause painful urination. You may also experience stinging while urinating and unusual urinary frequency. Some patients develop blood in urine called hematuria. Microscopic hematuria is usually detected in a urinalysis while gross hematuria is a visible sign of blood speckles in urine or pinkish discoloration of urine.

Flank pain almost always indicates kidney problems, though it can also be the result of a muscular strain or soreness from an injury or accident. If the pain is accompanied by fever, blood in urine, or frequent urination, you most likely have some type of kidney condition. With these types of symptoms, you may have an infection that needs to be addressed by our doctors right away. If kidney stones are present, you could develop an uretero-pelvic obstruction when the ureter disconnects from the kidney. This impedes the flow of urine and can cause other problems, such as urinary retention, hydronephrosis, or kidney damage.

Kidney stone pain can mimic symptoms of other conditions. The pain may not be the indicator of kidney stones since so many urological conditions have similar symptoms. A urinary tract infection or kidney mass could be present. You could have an enlarged prostate or kidney cysts. A thorough exam and proper diagnosis of your symptoms will help determine the cause of the pain as well as the most appropriate and effective treatment. Call our Florida urology practice today and make an appointment to evaluate your condition. Our experienced medical staff is ready to assist you and address all your concerns.

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