Early kidney stones often feel like sudden, severe pain in your back or side (below the ribs) that can radiate to your lower belly and groin, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, urgent need to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine (pink/red/brown), though some small stones cause no symptoms until they move. The pain, known as renal colic, comes in waves and signals the stone is moving, potentially causing other flu-like symptoms if an infection develops, requiring immediate medical attention.
Kidney stones form in the kidneys. Symptoms may start as stones move into the ureters. The ureters are thin tubes that let urine pass from the kidneys to the bladder. Symptoms of kidney stones can include serious pain, upset stomach, vomiting, fever, chills and blood in the urine.
You might be passing a kidney stone if you experience any of the following symptoms: Sharp pains felt in your back, side, lower belly, or groin. Nausea and vomiting. Blood in your urine.
Treating kidney stones in pregnancy starts conservatively with hydration, pain relief (opioids/acetaminophen), and sometimes antiemetics, as most pass on their own, but if symptoms persist or infection develops, procedures like ureteral stenting, nephrostomy tubes (for drainage), or ureteroscopy (laser stone removal) may be needed, while shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is strictly avoided due to fetal risk. A specialist team (urologist & obstetrician) manages treatment, focusing on safety, with alpha-blockers (like tamsulosin) sometimes used cautiously to help passage.
Ultrasound. An ultrasound is often the first choice when a child needs an imaging test to find a kidney stone. An ultrasound uses specialized sound waves to look at structures inside the body without exposing a child to radiation link.
Children of all ages can develop kidney stones, including infants, but they occur much more often in teens. A family history of kidney stones makes a child more likely to develop them. Children who've had kidney stones in the past have a greater chance of developing another kidney stone.
Conditions that can mimic kidney stone pain
Effective kidney stone treatments include:
To prevent kidney stones, limit high-oxalate foods like spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, and sweet potatoes, along with high-sodium items, sugary drinks, and excessive animal protein, while ensuring adequate dietary calcium and hydration. Common culprits include: spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts (almonds, cashews), chocolate, tea, soy products, sweet potatoes, okra, and excessive salt/added sugars, though a dietitian can personalize your diet.
Symptoms of a kidney infection
Several signs never to ignore
Severe pain – Pain that prevents patients from finding a comfortable position, including severe pain in the lower back, abdomen or groin. If pain is not relieved by changing positions, it could be a kidney stone.
Three key early warning signs of kidney problems are changes in urination (more or less frequent, especially at night), foamy or bloody urine, and persistent swelling, particularly around the eyes, feet, or ankles, indicating fluid retention. Other common signs include persistent fatigue, nausea, itching, and loss of appetite, as toxins build up when kidneys aren't filtering effectively.
If a kidney stone leads to an infection in your urinary tract, your urine may appear cloudy or smell stronger than usual. The cloudiness or abnormal odor could be due to bacteria or pus in your urinary tract. In some cases, the odor could be due to highly concentrated urine.
But how can you tell when to go to the ER for kidney stones? You should immediately seek emergency care if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: High fever (above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit) Blood in the urine.
Kidney stone sign #2: Changes to urination
Feeling like you need to urinate all the time, even if you just finished. Only having a small amount of urine when you urinate. Urinating more frequently than you usually do. Urine that is brown, red or pink (a sign that blood is in the urine)
Uric acid stones are the only type of kidney stones that can sometimes be dissolved with the help of medication. Alkaline citrate salts or sodium bicarbonate are considered for this purpose, and sometimes allopurinol.
If you have calcium oxalate stones, your provider might recommend you avoid foods like spinach, rhubarb, wheat bran, tree nuts and peanuts. Maintaining a weight that's healthy for you. Eating foods that are good sources of calcium. While it may not seem like it, foods high in calcium can help prevent kidney stones.
Lemon. Lemon contains citric acid that stops kidney stones from forming and helps break up stones that have already formed.
The short answer is no. Coffee does not appear to cause kidney stones. In fact, recent research suggests it may offer some protection. But to understand why, it helps to know what kidney stones are and how they form.
Fluids
This is the least invasive way to pass kidney stones, although it may not always be possible. Drinking lots of liquids for frequent urination is the key for this method. Urologists may also recommend movement like bicycling and jumping jacks to help dislodge the stones naturally.
Kidney stones are usually found in the kidneys or in the ureter, the tube that connects the kidneys to your bladder. They can be extremely painful, and can lead to kidney infections or the kidney not working properly if left untreated.
Various conditions can mimic kidney stone pain, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), gallbladder issues, appendicitis, and even herniated discs. Each of these conditions can produce similar sharp, cramping pains in the abdomen, back, or groin. It's vital to get a professional diagnosis for accurate treatment.
Kidney stone pain tends to be more in the back or side of your lower torso. UTIs tend to cause a burning sensation when urinating. A kidney stone's pain is sharper and stabbing. Blood in your urine is more typical of kidney stones.
How to Treat Kidney Stones at Home