How to know if I have kidney stones
Kidney stones are small masses that can form from excess salt and minerals in the kidneys. Depending on their size, they can be eliminated by urine without being noticed or can get stuck in your kidneys and cause severe pain.
Kidney stones form over a long period of time. Throughout the first few months, a kidney stone will most likely be asymptomatic. After this time, if the stone has not yet been eliminated, the first symptoms will present themselves. How do you know if you have kidney stones? In this OneHowTo article, we will explain exactly how.
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Steps to follow:
Kidney stones generally do not cause any pain while in the kidneys. If it is big enough, it is when the stone starts to make its way down the urethra (the tube that leads urine from the kidneys to the bladder) that the first symptoms appear.
A sudden, sharp pain in the side of your abdomen or belly tends to be the first symptom of a kidney stone passing through the urethra. The pain may also manifest itself in the groin, pelvis or testicles, depending on where the stone is situated.
If you suspect that you may have a kidney stone, look out for changes in your urine. A very dark urine or urine that is pink or red are signs that you may have one. If you do notice blood in your urine, it is very important that you seek immediate medical attention.
In addition to the above symptoms, you may have a fever, feel nauseous, and may even vomit.
If you think you have a kidney stone, consult your doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment. It is likely that your doctor will perform an ultrasound to confirm your condition, and then, depending on the severity of the stone and where it is located, suggest different treatments. It is possible that you require medication to dissolve the stone, and, if the stone is very large, it may even be necessary to surgically remove it.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to know if I have kidney stones, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
