Kidney stone symptoms have several forms, starting from flank pain to renal failure. kidney stone diagnosis depends on radiological and laboratory methods.
What are Kidney Stone symptoms?
Kidney stones may not cause any symptoms and remain hidden until the stones begin to move into your kidney or pass out of it into your ureter. It is the duct that connects the kidney to the bladder. Here, the stones may settle in the ureter, causing the symptoms and pain.
It is common for kidney stones to cause severe pain to the patient. Kidney stone pain starts suddenly and then comes and goes in waves. The pain can come and go as the body tries to get rid of the kidney stones.
Common symptoms caused by kidney stones are :
Severe pain and cramps in the back and flanks under the ribs of the rib cage, usually moving towards the lower abdomen and thigh area. Feeling an urgent need to urinate. Burning during urination. Urinating more times than usual. Urinating a small amount of urine each time.
Dark or red urine due to blood in the urine.Cloudy, foul-smelling urine due to the presence of pus or white blood cells in it.Vomiting and nausea.Fever and shivering in case of infection.Pain in the front of the penis in men.
When do you talk to your doctor?
You should make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that cause concern and discomfort including:
Feeling severe pain in different circumstances, whether you are standing, sitting, or lying on your back. The appearance of blood in the urine. Feeling pain and not being able to pass urine easily. Abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting and nausea.
Be sure to tell your doctor in detail about all your symptoms, including when they started, how often they last, and how often they occur during the day, as well as a list of medications, vitamins, and supplements you're taking.
How are Kidney stones diagnosed?
Based on a physical examination, health assessment, and knowledge of your medical and family history, your doctor may ask you to perform some laboratory tests and tests, including the following:
1- Urine examination
This is to detect the presence of bacteria or white blood cells, which is often a sign of a urinary tract infection, or the presence of any deposits that caused your stones to form. This test requires you to collect a urine sample over one or two consecutive days.
2- Blood test
To check the level of calcium, phosphorous, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the level of creatinine in the blood. These tests help evaluate kidney function and enable the doctor to find out the cause of your stones.
3- Ultrasound imaging
this technique is characterized by providing high-resolution images, used to detect complications associated with kidney stones, including a change in the size or shape of the kidneys. Ultrasound imaging is recommended when diagnosing pregnant women and children under 16 years of age.
4- Computerized Tomography
A computerized tomography ( CT scan) procedure is usually used, which is based on the use of a special type of X-ray to give three-dimensional cross-sectional images of the body’s organs.
The interior is taken from several angles so that it is more detailed and clear compared to the use of ordinary x-rays, which enables the doctor to determine the location and size of the stones formed, even small ones. A CT scan can be used with or without intravenous dye injection.
5- Stone examination
For kidney stones that you pass through the urine, your doctor may provide you with special equipment to collect the kidney stones that you pass during urination, this helps the doctor to know exactly why these stones form and thus determine the best treatment method for you.
