Renal colic or kidney colic is a common condition that sends hundreds of patients to hospital every year. This condition often begins in the abdomen and it's commonly caused by kidney stones. The pain from kidney colic is very severe and can be extremely frightening for the patient, but its treatment is simple and its appearance can be avoided with some changes in habits. At OneHowTo we explain what the symptoms of kidney colic or renal colic are.
Kidney colic occurs when the passage of urine is blocked, creating pressure in the urinary tract which leads to intense pain and discomfort. This condition occurs suddenly and as the hours pass pain increases to the point that some patients may experience fainting because of its intensity.
If you have a renal colic you should seek medical attention.
Renal colic occurs more commonly in people who drink little water every day, which can have a significant impact on the state of our kidney health. This condition occurs commonly in patients with kidney stones, in those people who have suffered with them in the past and also in people who have relatives prone to the formation of kidney stones.
In other cases this condition can also be caused by:
- Urinary obstruction due to a clot, tumour or fibroid.
- Infection of the upper urinary tract.
- Renal trauma.
- Kidney tumours in advanced stages.
The symptoms of kidney colic are:
- Sudden severe pain that starts in the lower back and that is not relieved by applying heat or cold or by adopting different postures.
- This pain may extend into the iliac fossa and inguinal region, i.e. to the right or left lower belly area, then may also feel close to the genitals.
- Because of the pain and the above symptoms, the patient may also experience nausea and vomiting.
- In the event of infection, fever is usually one of the symptoms of renal colic.
- It is also common for the patient to be anxious and nervous due to the severe pain.
- Constant body positional movements such as writhing or pacing.
Kidney colic is usually diagnosed quickly because the symptoms are very tell-tale. Because this condition mostly occurs when there are kidney stones, removal of the stone either naturally or through surgery, is the way in which this condition is more readily alleviated.
In these cases, the size of the stone will be key to know if you'll be able to remove it naturally or will need medical help. If the stone is less than 4mm diameter you have many chances of removing it yourself. However, if the stone is bigger you might need to undergo a surgery.
Remember to visit your doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms of kidney colic.
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 What are the Symptoms of Kidney Colic, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.