Early symptoms of kidney stones to recognize and effective treatment methods for kidney stones

The symptoms of kidney stones include pain, nausea, chills, and hematuria, which may lead to urinary tract infection if not treated promptly. However, not everyone is able to correctly recognize the manifestations of this condition.

Kidney stones and dangerous complications

Kidney stones are formed by the crystallization of excess salts and minerals (commonly calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or uric acid) within the kidneys.

Over time, as stones increase in size and move into the ureter, they can obstruct urinary flow, leading to hydronephrosis and causing severe pain and discomfort. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, kidney stones may result in unpredictable complications such as:

Urinary tract infection (UTI): One of the most common complications, caused when stones obstruct the urinary flow, creating favorable conditions for bacterial growth and infection.
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection): Stones may damage kidney tissue and increase the risk of infection. Prolonged or severe infection can lead to significant loss of kidney function and may become life-threatening without timely medical intervention.
Hydronephrosis: When stones block the ureter, urine cannot drain properly, leading to urine retention in the kidney. This increases pressure within the renal pelvis and calyces, causing dilatation and progressive damage to kidney tissue. Long-standing hydronephrosis may result in permanent loss of kidney function and, in severe cases, the need for surgical removal of the affected kidney.
Kidney failure: Large stones or multiple stones can obstruct the ureter or renal pelvis, impairing the kidney’s ability to filter and excrete waste products. Chronic obstruction may ultimately lead to renal failure.

Kidney stones – a threat to urinary health

Recognizable symptoms of kidney stones

The symptoms of kidney stones may vary depending on the size and location of the stone. However, the most characteristic sign is pain in the lower back, flank, or lower abdomen, with intensity ranging from mild discomfort to severe colicky pain.

Severe pain: This is the hallmark symptom of kidney stones. The pain typically begins in the lower back and may radiate to the lower abdomen, flank, or surrounding areas. When the stone moves into the ureter, the pain can fluctuate in intensity and often becomes suddenly more severe.
Dull aching pain: A constant, mild discomfort in the lower back or flank may indicate the presence of small stones in the renal pelvis or the upper third of the ureter.
Colicky pain: Characterized by intermittent, cramping pain that usually lasts from 20 to 60 minutes or longer. This pain occurs when the stone irritates or obstructs the urinary tract.

In addition, common symptoms that often accompany pain include:

Nausea and vomiting: Severe pain from kidney stones can stimulate the nerve connections between the intestines and kidneys, triggering a reflex in the stomach that leads to discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.
Fever: High fever is often a sign of urinary tract infection, a serious complication of kidney stones that requires urgent medical attention.
Hematuria: Stones may injure the urinary tract lining, causing blood in the urine. Urine may appear pink, reddish, or brown.
Painful urination (dysuria): Stones rubbing against the ureteral lining can produce a burning sensation and sharp pain during urination. Concurrent infection may worsen these symptoms.
Cloudy urine: Accumulation of debris in the urinary tract can make the urine appear cloudy and may be accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
Difficulty urinating: Stones may obstruct urinary flow, making urination difficult. In severe cases, complete blockage may occur, leading to acute kidney failure if not treated promptly.

Severe pain in the lower back, flank, or lower abdomen may be a symptom of kidney stones

In addition to the common symptoms of kidney stones, the condition may also present with less frequent signs, including:

Hypertension: Kidney stones can contribute to elevated blood pressure by causing obstruction or triggering infection.
Shortness of breath: Large stones exerting pressure on surrounding organs may lead to breathing difficulties.
Bleeding from the urethra: In rare cases, severe injury to the urethra caused by kidney stones may result in external bleeding.

In fact, pain caused by kidney stones may easily be mistaken for other conditions such as acute appendicitis, biliary colic, or acute peptic ulcer pain. Therefore, if you experience severe flank or back pain accompanied by the above-mentioned symptoms of kidney stones, it is important to seek medical attention promptly for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of kidney stones and would like to receive medical advice or schedule an appointment, please contact our hotline at 0912.002.131 or leave your information [HERE].

Diagnostic methods for kidney stones

Currently, there are several methods available for diagnosing kidney stones. Based on the results of the clinical examination, physicians may prescribe one or more diagnostic techniques to comprehensively evaluate the patient’s condition, including:

Imaging tests: Abdominal X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound not only help identify the location, size, and number of stones but also assess structural changes in the kidneys. These findings allow physicians to evaluate potential complications caused by kidney stones.
Blood tests: These tests provide important information on calcium and uric acid levels, detect signs of infection through white blood cell counts, and assess kidney function markers such as urea and creatinine. The results help physicians determine the severity of the condition and its impact on other organs.
Urinalysis: This test detects urinary tract infection by identifying bacteria or blood in the urine. It also measures the concentration of substances that may contribute to stone formation, such as calcium, oxalate, and urate, thereby helping to evaluate the cause and severity of the disease.

Ultrasound is a simple, cost-effective, yet effective method for diagnosing kidney stones

Effective treatment methods for kidney stones

For patients with small stones that cannot pass spontaneously through the urinary tract and have not yet caused complications, physicians may prescribe a medical treatment regimen. This typically involves a combination of medications such as urinary antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics to promote more effective stone expulsion.

However, in most cases where symptoms of kidney stones appear, the stones are already large or have caused complications affecting the kidneys and urinary tract. In such situations, the patient will require interventional stone fragmentation procedures.

Laser lithotripsy enables the successful removal of hundreds of kidney stones

At present, there are numerous advanced surgical techniques that are safe and highly effective, such as:

Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy: A thin endoscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder into the ureter. Once the stone is located, laser energy is used to fragment it into smaller pieces, which are then removed or suctioned out.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): High-energy shock waves are applied externally to break the stone into small fragments, which are naturally passed through the urinary tract. This method requires no anesthesia or surgical incision, and patients are often discharged within 30 minutes after the procedure.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): A minimally invasive technique that has largely replaced open surgery for large or complex kidney stones. Through a small 3 mm incision in the flank, a nephroscope is used to reach the kidney, fragment the stone with laser energy, and remove it completely.
Open surgery for very large stones: Reserved for cases where stones are too large or unsuitable for other methods. Open surgery is rarely performed today due to higher complication rates and longer recovery time.

With more than 20 years of experience in managing urological conditions, particularly kidney stones, Hong Ngoc General Hospital takes pride in being a trusted center for accurate testing and diagnosis of kidney stones in Northern Vietnam.

Patients receive direct examination and treatment from a team of highly specialized physicians with over 30 years of experience at leading tertiary hospitals.
The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies, including Doppler ultrasound, the Abbott imaging diagnostic system, bacterial identification analyzers, and real-time PCR testing, ensuring accurate and comprehensive evaluation.