how kidney stone pain feel like
I am trying to understand how kidney stone pain feel like because I'm freaking out over this sharp pain I started having a few days ago. It’s like this stabbing sensation in my lower back, and it sometimes shoots down to my side. I honestly thought I had pulled a muscle or something, but the pain just keeps coming in waves, and I'm not sure if that's normal? I read online that kidney stones can hurt a lot but how kidney stone pain feel like? I mean, is it like a constant ache or more like sudden jabs? When I tried to sit or lay down, it just seems to get worse, which has me thinking what if this is something serious? I haven’t had any other symptoms, like fever or anything, but there have been times when I felt nauseous. Is that normal too? My friend mentioned her brother had some issues with stones and described it in a way that sounds excruciating—like unbearable. I'm really hoping this is just a muscle thing, but could it be kidney stones? How kidney stone pain feel like in relation to other pains? Do I need to go see someone ASAP, or is there a chance it could be something else and just go away? Any advice would be super helpful, I just need to know what to expect.
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Doctors' responses
Kidney stone pain, often referred to as renal colic, is indeed known for being intense and absolutely debilitating. It typically presents as a sudden, sharp, and severe pain. People often describe it as a stabbing sensation in the flank, which is the area between your ribs and hips, usually on one side of your body. The pain can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin area, following the path of the ureter as the stone moves. One key characteristic of kidney stone pain is that it tends to come in waves or cycles, caused by the stone moving and the muscles of the ureter contracting as they try to push the stone along. When it comes to sitting or changing positions, the pain from kidney stones often doesn’t improve and can sometimes feel worse. Nausea and vomiting are also common accompaniments due to the intense pain and the body’s overall response to it.
Now, in terms of whether you need to seek medical attention, if this pain is fluctuating, severe, and hadn’t subsided, or if it’s accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it’s advisable to see a healthcare provider. There could be the risk of complications like an infection or complete obstruction, which can be serious if left untreated. It’s wise to err on the side of caution; they can perform diagnostic imaging like an ultrasound or CT scan to confirm the presence of stones. Other symptoms like visible blood in urine, fevers, or an inability to urinate require urgent medical attention. In the absence of these symptoms and if you have the option, hydrating (drinking plenty of water) can sometimes help small stones pass naturally. However, it’s important to first clarify with a professional if your situation allows for conservative management. Without diagnostic confirmation, it would be challenging to label the pain merely as a muscle issue, especially given its severity and nature.
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