AskDocDoc
/
/
/
how do you know if you have kidney stones
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 44M : 53S
background image
Click Here
background image
Kidney & Urinary Health
Question #25781
91 days ago
154

how do you know if you have kidney stones - #25781

Harsh

I am in a bit of a panic here. For the last few days, I've been having this intense pain in my side, like someone’s stabbing me with a knife! It comes in waves, and sometimes it spreads to my lower abdomen. I thought it was just a pulled muscle or something, but my friend mentioned that it might be kidney stones, and now I can't stop worrying. I keep thinking, how do you know if you have kidney stones? Is it the kind of pain I'm having? I've also noticed I feel nauseous, and I can't even keep food down, so like, what does that have to do with kidney stones? I read about the classic symptoms but I don’t have all of them. I mean, I've peed a lot, and sometimes it’s painful, but aren’t those signs pretty vague? Ugh, I don’t know, I thought I was just dehydrated but now I’m curious, how do you know if you have kidney stones? Are there specific tests or things a doctor can do? I’m hesitant to just rush to the ER, ya know, but also I really don’t want to ignore this if it is serious. Like, what should I be looking for? Should I check for blood in my urine or what? My mind is racing, and I just need some clarity.

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

The symptoms you’re describing—intense, wave-like pain in the side and lower abdomen, nausea, and painful urination—are indeed consistent with kidney stones. This type of pain often results from stones moving through the urinary tract, and it can be quite excruciating. While it’s challenging to self-diagnose, these signs are significant and shouldn’t be ignored, especially given that they disrupt daily activities as you’ve described. The nausea and inability to keep food down can be secondary to the pain and body’s response to the obstruction in the ureter. One hallmark of kidney stones is hematuria, or blood in the urine, which may not always be visible to the naked eye but can be detected on urinalysis.

It’s critical to confirm the presence of kidney stones through medical evaluation. Diagnostic imaging, such as a CT scan without contrast, is the standard and most reliable test for diagnosing kidney stones—it can pinpoint their size and location. Alternatively, an ultrasound can also be used, especially to avoid radiation exposure, though it’s less comprehensive. Your doctor might also perform a urine test to check for infection and blood. Immediate medical attention is advisable if you’re experiencing severe or intolerable pain, fever, or signs of infection, as untreated kidney stones can lead to complications like kidney damage or infection.

As for at-home management, staying well-hydrated is key. Aim to drink enough water to produce clear or light-colored urine. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen may help manage the pain, but they won’t address the underlying issue and can have kidney implications if not used properly. If your symptoms improve slightly, you might still want to connect with a healthcare provider to discuss your concerns and next steps. They can advise whether lifestyle changes, medications, or even surgical interventions are needed based on the stone’s size and your overall health. Remember, your safety is paramount, and seeking appropriate care outweigh the risk of waiting and potentially worsening symptoms.

20050 answered questions
90% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


what are the symptoms of kidney stones
Why do legs swell due to kidney problem?
who treat kidney stones
renal scarring
how to stop frequent urination in diabetes
kidney stones beer
how long does it take for chanca piedra to work
what is pygeum good for
beer for kidneys
Does beer help in kidney stone?
how does urine infection happen
urologist online consultation
kidney leg swelling
kidney water retention treatment
is gymnema sylvestre safe for kidneys
Does beer prevent kidney stones?
which doctor to consult for uti
please its worsening day by day
urine routine test
kidney scarring treatment
Soft Bumps Around the Anus and Persistent Discomfort
how to prevent uti
are kidney stones genetic
urine test routine and microscopy
Recurring UTI Symptoms After Antibiotic Treatment
What are the signs of kidney infection?
surgery of kidney stone
can a uti go away on its own
swap kidney transplant
urine not passing treatment
how much is a kidney transplant
uric acid kidney stones
Seeking Alternative Antibiotic for UTI Symptoms and Side Effects
chronic kidney disease medical procedure
kidney stone medical term
worst alcohol for kidney stones
kidney stone laparoscopy operation
how to improve kidney health
urinary retention
retention of urine
how to protect your kidney
what is chanca piedra
how to sleep with a kidney stent
what are 6 diseases you can use chanca piedra leaf to cure?
urine not coming
reason for urinary infection
what causes a uti
kidney how to take care
urinary specialist
urine stone treatment
how to prevent urine infection
does alcohol cause kidney stones
kidney laser treatment cost
kft test normal range chart
kft test for what purpose
stone laser operation
does soda cause kidney stones
are kidney stones dangerous
does masturbation affect kidney
pathri laser operation cost
what causes kidney stones
how long can you live with one kidney
kidney disease swelling in legs
medicine for urine retention
How long can a person live with one kidney?
urine infection symptoms
one kidney by birth
kidney transplant surgery cost
beer help in kidney stones
can a person live with one kidney
Can I drink hot water with crushed garlic after taking Nifedipine for blood pressure?
if urine is not coming what to do
kidney stone laser treatment side effects
how kidney stone pain feel like
laser operation of stone
kidney transplant operation cost
is dandelion root bad for kidneys
what causes bladder pain without infection?
how much pygeum per day
swelling in kidney disease
Laser kidney stone removal cost
urine retention medicine
online urologist consultation
doctor for urinary tract infection
urine not passing properly
What to do if my mother has a urine sugar level of +3 while on Onder DM and glucagon tablets?
What could cause frequent urination with urgency and no pain after normal tests?
how to make kidneys healthy
is punarnava good for kidney
cystatin c test purpose
urologist consultation fee
foods to avoid after kidney stone surgery
kft blood test normal range
urologist consultation
how to reduce face swelling due to kidney disease
what is the most common cause of blood in urine female
Why do kidneys swell?
What to do for urinary bladder pain and weak urine flow with thick bladder wall?
key hole surgery for kidney stones
What to do for pain and burning sensation below the navel after sex?