A sudden, sharp pain in your side can be frightening, especially if you’ve never had a kidney stone before. Many people describe kidney stone pain as one of the worst pains they’ve ever experienced.
You may be wondering, “What do kidney stones feel like?” Knowing where the pain starts and what other symptoms to watch for can help you decide when it’s time to seek treatment.
Where Does Kidney Stone Pain Start?
Kidney stone pain usually begins in the flank, the area along one side of your back between the lower ribs and hip. Most people don’t feel a kidney stone until it begins moving from the kidney into the ureter, the tube that carries urine to the bladder. If the stone blocks urine flow, it can cause severe pain.
The pain may spread to your:
- Side
- Lower abdomen
- Groin
As the stone moves through the urinary tract, the pain often moves with it. Kidney stone pain is usually higher than common low back pain and often doesn’t improve when you change positions or rest.
What Do Kidney Stones Feel Like?
Kidney stone pain can feel like:
- A sharp or stabbing pain in the side or back
- Strong cramping that comes and goes
- Pain that moves toward the lower abdomen or groin
- Burning or pain when urinating
Kidney stone pain often comes in waves. It may become severe, ease for a short time, and then return as the stone moves or continues blocking urine flow. Many people pace, shift positions, or can’t get comfortable because the pain is so intense.
A larger kidney stone doesn’t always hurt more than a smaller one. Even a tiny stone can cause severe pain if it gets stuck in the ureter, while a larger stone may cause few or no symptoms if it stays in the kidney.
What Are Other Kidney Stone Symptoms?
Other kidney stone symptoms include:
- Pink, red, or brown urine caused by blood
- A frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Passing only small amounts of urine
- Pain or burning during urination
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea or vomiting
You may be able to see blood in your urine, but sometimes it’s only found during a urine test. Fever and chills can mean an infection is present and require immediate medical attention.
When Should I Seek Treatment?
If you have symptoms that could be caused by a kidney stone, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can confirm whether you have a kidney stone and whether it’s blocking urine flow.
Go to the emergency department if:
- The pain is so severe that you can’t sit still or get comfortable
- You have pain along with fever or chills
- You can’t urinate or you’re passing very little urine
- Vomiting keeps you from drinking fluids
- The pain stays severe even after taking medication
Small kidney stones sometimes pass on their own with pain medication and fluids. Larger stones or stones that block urine flow may require a procedure to remove them or break them into smaller pieces.
What Do Kidney Stones Feel Like? When to Seek Treatment
What do kidney stones feel like? They often cause sudden, severe pain that starts in the side or back and may move into the lower abdomen or groin as the stone travels. While some stones pass on their own, others require treatment to relieve pain and prevent complications.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be caused by a kidney stone, schedule an appointment with the experienced urologists at Urology San Antonio. They can determine whether a kidney stone is causing your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment.