Kidney Stone Pain: A Serious Matter – What You Need to Know.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4421
Can Kidney Stone Pain be a Sign of Serious Medical Problems?
Any sudden, severe pain in the back, flank, abdomen, or groin should be evaluated by a urologist or another medical professional. Severe pain in this region of the body, similar to the pain caused by kidney stones, can be a sign of medical emergencies such as appendicitis, bowel perforation, or ectopic pregnancy in women.
Kidney stones can be a life-threatening emergency if they block both kidneys or if they are associated with an infection. It is a good idea, however, to seek medical care from a urologist before the pain becomes debilitating or other severe symptoms develop.
Kidney stones may form as a result of an underlying problem with kidneys, parathyroid glands or sometimes as a result of cancer therapy.
Fever, chills and malaise (weakness) associated with symptoms of kidney stones require immediate medical attention.
Which Other Medical Conditions Cause Symptoms Similar to Kidney Stones?
Back pain can be caused by pyelonephritis (kidney infection), severe bladder infection, sciatica (back pain originating from the nerves of the spine), and pulled muscles in addition to kidney stones.
Flank and lower abdominal pain can be caused by appendicitis, cholecystitis, ovarian cyst, period pain, colitis and diverticulitis in addition to kidney stones and among other conditions.
Nausea and/or vomiting are common with kidney stones but can also occur with other medical conditions such as appendicitis, bowel perforation, gastritis and many other conditions.
Pain with urination can be a sign of sexually-transmitted diseases or urinary tract infections (UTIs) but can also be caused by kidney stones. Frequent urination can sometimes be caused by kidney stones that are lodged in the ureter next to the urinary bladder. Symptoms of UTI with kidney stones require urgent assessment and treatment by a urologist.
Frequent urination can be a sign of kidney or ureteral stones but can also be a sign of overactive bladder, enlarged prostate in men and UTI among other causes.
It is important to see a urologist and seek immediate medical care if you have one or more of the symptoms below:
- Severe, debilitating pain in the back, flank, lower abdomen, or groin
- Nausea and vomiting with intense pain in the back and flank
- Fever and chills with symptoms of kidney stones
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty passing urine
- Feeling weak / tired.
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4421
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger has helped hundreds of men and women with kidney stones suffering from pain to become stone-free. He uses minimally invasive technology to improve patient care. Most patients are able to return to their activities the next day.