Urinary stones are deposits that form in the renal ducts or urinary tract. They develop due to supersaturation and crystallization of minerals or salts in the urine.
Urolithiasis is a common condition:
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5–10% of adults are affected
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Urinary stones occur most frequently between the ages of 30 and 50
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Men are affected approximately three times more often than women
Symptoms
Smaller stones that remain quietly in the kidneys usually do not cause any pain and are often discovered incidentally during a routine health check-up by means of an ultrasound or X-ray examination.
It becomes more problematic when these stones begin to move, entering the ureter and slowly migrating through it. These are then referred to as ureteral stones and can cause a range of symptoms depending on their size and location.
Renal colic
Renal colic is a sudden and extremely intense pain. It is caused by irritation and overstretching of the ureter as a kidney stone passes through. Depending on the location of the stone, the pain may radiate to the flanks, back, lower abdomen, or groin.
Symptoms that may indicate renal colic include:
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Sudden, cramping, sharp pain in waves
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Nausea, retching, and vomiting
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Blood in the urine, burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate
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Chills
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Fever
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Sweating
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General weakness or feeling faint