Symptoms

Symptoms and signs of a kidney stone

Kidney stones can cause severe pain. Symptoms of kidney stones may not occur until the stone begins to move down the ureters. This severe pain is called renal colic. You may have pain on one side of your back or abdomen.

In men, pain may radiate to the groin area. The pain of renal colic comes and goes but can be intense. People with renal colic tend to be restless.

Other symptoms of kidney stones can include:

  • Blood in the urine (red, pink, or brown urine)
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Discolored or foul-smelling urine
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Urinating small amounts of urine

In the case of a small kidney stone, you may not have any pain or symptoms as the stone passes through your urinary tract.