Symptoms

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Very small stones may pass through the urinary tract without being noticed. When kidney stones become larger and move in the urinary system, they can become stuck in in the kidney or the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. When the stone becomes stuck, it blocks the flow of urine and can cause swelling of the kidney. The most common symptoms include:

• Pain in the back, side or abdomen (possibly changing location as the stone moves)
• Painful urination that varies in intensity
• Pink, red or brown blood in urine
• Urine that is cloudy or has an unpleasant smell
• Nausea or vomiting
• Frequent urination or a persistent urge to urinate
• Difficulty urinating or urinating small amounts
• Fever and chills (indicating an infection)