Extremely painful to pass, kidney stones may have the bright side to help one manage the condition before the disease has progressed. Many individuals usually give minor digestive or urinary issues as excuses for not investigating these signs early in their conditions. According to an experienced physician, the treatment and post-recovery differences relied largely on recognizing signs resulting from kidney stones in good time. According to the best general physician in Nagpur, here are seven symptoms of kidney stones that you should never ignore.
7 Symptoms of Kidney Stones You Should Not Ignore
1. Intense Pain in the Lower Back or Side
This subjective symptom, one of the most common findings from kidney stones, is an agonizingly sharp pain in the lower back or side. The pain often begins abruptly and can be described as sharp or cramping. It usually starts in the kidney region and can then move through the abdomen and groin because the stone moves.
How to Manage This Pain
- Hydration: More intake of fluids improves pain tolerance and dissolves smaller stones to pass out.
- Pain Meds: An over-the-counter ibuprofen can be applied to help relax the patient sometimes
- Heat Pack: Applying a warm compress to the lower back helps calm down the spasm and subsides the aching
2. Painful Urination (Dysuria)
If you experience burning or sharp pains while urinating, it may be because of a kidney stone caught in the urinary tract. Many people mistake this for a urinary tract infection, but with other symptoms, it usually indicates the presence of kidney stones.
Things You Can Do
- Drink Cranberry Juice: It keeps one’s urinary tract healthy.
- Increase Water Intake: Forcing the stone to exit the body.
- Consult a Doctor: If the pain does not go away, you must seek a medical assessment.
3. Blood in Urine (Hematuria)
Notice pinkish, reddish, or brownish-colored urine? Blood in the urine is one of the major signs of kidney stones. The stone can scrape and rub the lining inside the urinary system causing bleeding due to its sharp edges.
What to Do?
- Do Not Ignore: Even with no pain, blood in the urine is a cause for concern.
- Monitor Urine Color: If the color remains unchanged, visit a doctor.
- Undergo Medical Tests: A urine test or ultrasound can be conducted to diagnose stones.
4. Urge to Urinate Often
Urge to urinate more frequently than usual? That’s another symptom of kidney stones. When the stone moves near the bladder, it gives an urge to urinate frequently and sometimes even when only a little comes out at a time.
How to Ease This Symptom:
- Stay Hydrated: Water helps dilute the urine and ease irritation.
- Cut Back on Caffeine: Coffee and tea can sometimes worsen bladder irritation.
- Consult a Doctor: A persistent urge without relief might indicate a blockage.
5. Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Urine
Healthy urine is typically light yellow and clear. If you notice cloudy urine with an unusual or foul smell, it could indicate an infection caused by kidney stones. Infections occur when bacteria build-up due to the obstruction caused by the stone.
Managing This Symptom:
- Drink More Water: Helps flush out toxins.
- Consider a Natural Diuretic: Foods like cucumber and watermelon help promote urine production.
- Seek Medical Attention: If the odor does not improve, a urine culture test is needed.
6. Nausea and Vomiting
Many people who experience kidney stone pain do not realize that their symptoms may include nausea or vomiting. Such symptoms are thought to be possible because the intense pain of kidney stones can indeed affect digestion- nerves in one part of the body can upset the digestive nerves in another-particularly if severe.
- Small, Frequent Meals: Taking small portions can be a way of controlling nausea.
- Ginger Tea: This is just one of the natural remedies for nausea.
- Medical Attention: Vomiting with no sign of stopping may leave you at risk of dehydration.
7. Fever and Chills (Signs of Infection)
Nausea and vomiting, fever with chills is a sign of infection with the blockage of the kidney stones. This would indeed be a severe situation and require immediate medical attention.
Urgent Steps to Take:
- Seek Medical Attention: A high fever is a sign of infection.
- Hydrate: Fluids will help but not replace medical attention.
- Follow Doctor’s Prescription: Antibiotics may be required in case of an infection.
When to Consult a Doctor?
A few of these small kidney stones pass, while the rest do not. Any patient who has unbearable pain and whose nausea lasts several days, vomits, has fever, or pains while passing urine should be promptly referred to a medical doctor. Good general physicians in Nagpur can assist a patient by directing him towards proper treatment and even some techniques of pain management as well as preventing the formation of future stones.
Early detection of kidney stones would make a difference in your treatment. Severe back pain, blood in the urine, and nausea are a few of these warning signs; being attentive and seeking timely medical help will be able to ward off complications. If you think you have a kidney stone, do not disregard the symptoms. Stay hydrated and monitor your health, and it is always wise to see a doctor for better care.
This means you can be proactive in ensuring the health of your kidneys is optimal; that is, if you or your loved one has a condition or symptom that may imply you are suffering from kidney stones, please contact a healthcare provider to take control of your well-being today.