Every year, hundreds of thousands of people wind up in the ER in extreme pain, hoping for quick relief from kidney stones. While the excruciating pain is the most common symptom, many patients may have missed earlier signs that stones were developing. These early warnings can often be mistaken for less serious conditions, like urinary tract infections.Understanding these signs early on could help prevent more painful complications. Let’s break down what kidney stones are, how they form, and the subtle symptoms to watch out for.
What Exactly Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are small, hard deposits in your kidneys when certain chemicals in your urine—like calcium, oxalates, and other salts—become too concentrated. If you don’t drink enough fluids to dilute these chemicals, they bind together, forming stones.Though some stones are as small as a grain of sand, others can grow large enough to cause blockages. These blockages can cause urine to go back into the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, potentially leading to painful infections.
Early Signs Your Body Could Be Sending You
While intense pain is the classic warning sign of kidney stones, your body might give you other subtle signals before things get severe. Here are six symptoms to watch for:
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine – This could indicate a stone or developing infection.
A burning sensation while urinating – This is often associated with infections but can also signal kidney stones.
Blood in the urine (Hematuria) – Stones can scrape the urinary tract, leading to blood in your urine.
Lower back or side cramps – Pain in these areas might suggest a stone is blocking your urine flow.
Fever and chills – A sign that an infection may have developed in the urinary tract.
Nausea or vomiting – Your body might react to the pain of kidney stones by making you feel sick.
Don’t wait for them to pass if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. It’s essential to get checked out by a healthcare professional sooner rather than later.
What Happens If You Have Kidney Stones?
If you suspect kidney stones, your doctor will likely run some tests, including blood and urine samples and imaging, to confirm the diagnosis. If the stones are small, you can pass them by drinking lots of fluids and taking pain relievers.If the stones are too large or cause complications, treatments may include:
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This non-invasive treatment uses sound waves helping break-up the stones into smaller pieces, allowing them to pass more quickly.
Ureteroscopy: A thin tube is used to pass through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to remove or break up the stone.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: This is used for larger or more complicated stones. A small incision is made in the back to remove the stone.
Preventing Kidney Stones: Tips for a Healthy Kidney
Certain health conditions and even medications have the possibility of raising your risk of kidney stones. However, there steps to take reducing your risk. Here’s how to be proactive:
Drink plenty of water – Aim for at least 11 cups of fluids daily, including water, fruits, vegetables, and herbal teas.
Eat fewer stone-friendly foods – Try to cut back on high-protein foods (especially red meat), processed snacks, and sugary treats. Replace some servings with fruits and veggies.
Embrace calcium-rich foods – While calcium can form stones, it also helps prevent them from binding with other substances. Incorporate dairy or other calcium-rich foods into your diet.
Say no to smoking – Smoking is linked to an increased risk of kidney stones, so avoiding tobacco is critical.
Taking proactive measures, such as staying well-hydrated and consuming a healthy diet, can help prevent stones from forming. In addition, recognizing the early signs of kidney stones is just as crucial for avoiding severe complications. Contact your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned. After all, nearly 3 million people are diagnosed with kidney stones every year.Dr. David Samadiis the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of Prostate Cancer, Now What? and The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncolo gy and prostate cancer 911.
