Kidney stones usually comprised of a compound called calcium oxalate, are the result of an accumulation of dissolved minerals on the inner lining of the kidneys. These deposits can grow to the size of a golf ball while maintaining a sharp, crystalline structure. The kidney stones may be small and pass unnoticed out of the urinary tract, but they may also cause extreme pain upon exiting.
Kidney stones that remain inside the body can lead to many conditions, including severe pain and ureter (the tube connecting the kidney and bladder) blockage that obstructs the path urine uses to leave the body.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
A kidney stone usually remains symptomless until it moves into the ureter. When symptoms become apparent, they include:
- Severe pain in the groin and/or side
- Blood in urine
- Vomiting and nausea
- White blood cells or pus in the urine
- Reduced amount of excreted urine excreted
- Burning sensation during urination
- Persistent urge to urinate
- Fever and chills if there is an infection
