Kidney and Ureteral Stones

Kidneys are fist-sized organs that control the body's fluid and chemical levels. People generally have two kidneys, one on each side behind the liver, stomach, pancreas and intestines. Healthy kidneys clean waste from the blood, remove it from the urine, and control sodium, potassium, and calcium in the blood.

Your urine contains dissolved salts and minerals. When your urine contains high levels of these, stones may form. These stones can start small but can grow larger, sometimes filling the hollow structures of the kidneys. Some stones stay in the kidneys and don't cause any problems or discomfort. But sometimes, the stone will move along the duct between the kidney and the bladder, known as the ureter. If the kidney stone reaches the bladder, it can usually be passed out of the body in the urine. But if the stone becomes lodged in the ureter, it blocks the urine flow from that kidney and causes pain.

Kidney Stone Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of a kidney stone is a sharp, cramp-like pain in the back and side. The pain sometimes moves to the lower abdomen or groin over time. It often starts suddenly and comes in waves, and it can come and go as the body tries to remove the stone.

Other signs of a kidney stone include:

• An intense need to urinate.
• Urinating more often.
• A burning feeling during urination.
• Dark or red urine- although your urine may only have a small number of red blood cells and may appear normal.
• Vomiting and Nausea
• A man may feel some pain at the tip of the penis.

What are ureteral stones?

Ureteral stones are a form of kidney stones that have become stuck in the ureters, the tubes that transport your urine from your kidneys into your bladder. Larger stones can block urine flow from the kidney to the bladder, causing severe pain.

Many kidney stones are very small, some even too small to see with the naked eye and pass through the urine without causing a problem. However, larger stones that get stuck in the urinary tract can cause pain that may be severe.

Ureteral stone symptoms

Small stones that pass through the urinary system on their own may not cause any symptoms. However, larger stones blocking the ureter or the kidney's drainage tubes can cause symptoms such as severe pain in the lower back that can spread to the lower abdomen and cause nausea and vomiting.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an urgent appointment with Dr Mkhize or visit the Melomen Richards Bay Emergency Unit. It is open 24/7, and the highly skilled staff will make you as comfortable as possible until Dr Mkhize can consult.