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Kidney stones form when minerals in your urine combine to form crystals. Over time, these crystals grow larger and accumulate in your kidneys, developing into stones.
Smaller stones often pass out of the body naturally via the urine, but larger stones may get stuck. This can cause severe pain and other symptoms.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney stone symptoms
may vary from person to person. Recognizing the common signs early can help you take the necessary steps toward relief.
Common symptoms include
- Pain in the flank, back, lower abdomen or groin
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Blood in urine (pink, red or brown tint)
- Nausea and vomiting
If you experience any of the following, seek medical attention right away
- Fever over 101°F (38°C) or chills
- Severe and persistent pain
- Foul-smelling or cloudy urine
- Difficulty urinating or a slowing urine stream
Unsure if you’re dealing with a UTI or kidney stone?
Check in with UroGPT™ –
the world’s first AI chatbot designed to support kidney stone formers.
Need help making sense of your symptoms or figuring out the next steps?
Treatments & Causes
There are various treatment options available for kidney stones.
Explore our resources to learn about treatment options for your stone type, and what to expect.
Treating your stones is only part of the solution. To stop kidney stones from
coming back for good, it’s essential to understand what’s causing them in the first place. Common causes of kidney stones include:
Poor dietary
fluid intake
Dietary factors
(e.g. High sodium intake)
Medications
(e.g. vitamin C, vitamin D)
Chronic diseases
(e.g. obesity, cystinuria)
Recurrent urinary
tract infections (UTI)
Kidney Stone Prevention
Once you have identified what’s causing your stones, it’s time to take action!
A few smart tweaks to your diet and lifestyle can keep those stones from making an unwanted comeback.
Looking for more exclusive tips and on-demand guidance for stone prevention?
Build your personalized plan with UroGPT™
Community
Dealing with kidney stones can be tough,
but you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Be part of the world’s largest kidney stone patient community and connect with fellow stone formers who understand your pain.