The symptoms of kidney stones can vary depending on the size of the stone.
The symptoms ofkidney stonesvary little among the sexes.
The pain may be dull, like a back strain, or intense, like a kidney punch.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
The episodes tend to last one to four hours.
Many people will have no symptoms during stage 1, even with stones as large as 15 mm.
Moreover, stones can remain in the kidneys for years without causing symptoms.
They may manifest pain when they pass into the ureter.
The pain can sometimes be so intense that emergency treatment is needed.
These are the nerves that provide motor and sensory function to the abdomen and pelvis.
The acute waves of pain can last for 15 to 45 minutes.
Severe pain lasting more than three days is likely to require medical intervention.
This can take several hours or days.
Pain may linger for a couple of days after the stone has passed.
The stone may come out whole or in fragments.
When Is Pain Not a Kidney Stone?
Kidney stone pain can mimic other conditions and may require investigation by aurologistto rule out other potentially serious causes.
This typically starts with what is known as the STONE score.
This system predicts the likelihood of kidney stones on a score of 0 to 13.
Even so, additional tests may be needed to definitively diagnose a kidney stone and rule out other causes.
Testing for these ensures they are not missed.
Female Differential Diagnosis
The symptoms of kidney stones don’t vary much between people of any sex.
The same is not seen with women.
You may also find the stone or fragments of the stone when urinating.
This can help determine why the stone formed and what can be done to prevent stones in the future.
Although there may be lingering pain, it will also gradually subside.
Research suggests that around 86% of kidney stones pass spontaneously without medical procedures.
In fact, many people have stones without knowing it, often for years or decades.
This is especially true in females whose kidney stones are often found by accident during an unrelated imaging study.
By and large, symptoms tend to occur with stones larger than 2 mm.
Do Asymptomatic Kidney Stones Need Treatment?
Instead, abdominal ultrasound may be recommended every six to 12 months.
If the stone grows or symptoms develop, you may be referred to a urologist for treatment.
Between 10% and 25% of “silent” kidney stones become symptomatic each year.
There may also be nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, changes in urine color, and reduced urination.
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