- What they are: Hardened mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys and can travel throughout the urinary system (including the ureter and bladder).
- Small stones: Usually pass on their own without treatment, simply by increasing your daily water intake.
- Large stones: Can block the flow of urine and cause intense pain, often making medical procedures or surgical intervention necessary.
- What Do Urinary Stones Feel Like?
Your symptoms will depend entirely on how large the stone is and exactly where it is stuck in your urinary tract.
- Severe Back and Side Pain: A sharp, intense pain in your lower back or side (the flank area) that frequently spreads down toward your stomach and groin.
- Changes in Urination: Noticeable blood in your urine (making it look pink, red, or brown), feeling a sudden and constant urge to go, or experiencing a sharp, burning sensation when you pee.
- Signs of a Blockage or Infection: Feeling nauseous, vomiting, or developing a fever and chills—which can be a serious warning sign that the stone is blocking your system and causing an infection.