Kidney stones are hard deposits that form inside the kidneys. Some are small enough to pass through the urinary tract without a procedure. Others can become stuck, block urine flow, or cause severe pain. Symptoms like fever, repeated vomiting, or difficulty urinating may require emergency care. Knowing the warning signs can help you decide when it is safer to visit the ER rather than wait for the symptoms to improve.
What Do Kidney Stone Symptoms Feel Like?
Kidney stone pain often begins when a stone moves from the kidney into the tube that carries urine to the bladder. The pain may start suddenly, move to another area, or come and go in waves.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp pain in the side or back
- Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen or groin
- Pain that changes in intensity
- Blood in the urine
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Passing only a small amount of urine
- Nausea or vomiting
The pain may become stronger as the stone moves through the urinary tract. Some people may also notice cloudy or foul-smelling urine, especially when an infection is present. Symptoms such as side pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, or blood in the urine are not always caused by kidney stones. Testing may be needed to identify the cause and check whether a stone is affecting urine flow.
When Should You Go to the ER for Kidney Stones?
Not every kidney stone requires an emergency room visit. However, you should seek prompt care when the symptoms are severe, continue to worsen, or occur with signs of infection or blockage.
1. Pain Is Severe or Does Not Improve
Kidney stone pain can be intense. Go to the ER when the pain is difficult to manage, continues despite medication, or prevents you from sitting, resting, or carrying out normal activities. Severe pain may occur when a stone is moving or has become lodged in the urinary tract. An examination and imaging can help determine the stone’s location and whether it is causing a blockage.
2. You Have Fever or Chills
Fever or chills with side, back, or abdominal pain may indicate an infection. This can become more serious when a stone prevents urine from draining normally. Do not wait for the fever or pain to pass on its own, particularly when you also feel weak or unusually unwell.
3. You Cannot Stop Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can occur with kidney stones. Repeated vomiting, however, can make it difficult to drink fluids or take medication.
Seek emergency care when you cannot keep fluids down or begin to experience:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Reduced urination
- Feeling faint
These symptoms may indicate dehydration.
4. You Have Difficulty Urinating
A stone may partially or completely block the flow of urine.
Visit the ER if you:
- Cannot urinate
- Pass very little urine
- Feel increasing pressure while trying to urinate
- Have worsening pain with reduced urine output
An inability to urinate requires immediate attention and should not be monitored at home.
5. You Notice Blood in the Urine
Kidney stones can irritate the urinary tract and cause blood to appear in the urine. The urine may look pink, red, or brown. Blood in the urine should be checked, particularly when it occurs with severe pain, fever, vomiting, or trouble urinating. Other urinary conditions can also cause this symptom.
6. You Are Pregnant or Have Existing Kidney Problems
Kidney stone symptoms may require faster evaluation during pregnancy or in people with one functioning kidney, kidney disease, or reduced kidney function. Pain during pregnancy may have several possible causes. It is important not to assume that a kidney stone is responsible without an examination.
Seek Emergency Care for Kidney Stone Symptoms in Katy, TX
Kidney stone symptoms can overlap with other urinary or abdominal conditions, and it can be difficult to tell at home whether a kidney stone is causing a blockage or whether another condition is responsible. If you have severe or worsening pain, vomiting, fever, difficulty urinating, or other concerning symptoms, don’t rely on your own diagnosis or wait for symptoms to improve. ER Katy provides 24/7 emergency evaluation for severe kidney stone symptoms and other sudden urinary or abdominal concerns. Walk in today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking water help a kidney stone pass?
Drinking enough fluids may help some small stones pass through the urinary tract. However, forcing large amounts of water is not a substitute for care when a stone is causing severe pain, blockage, or vomiting.
Can dehydration cause kidney stones?
Not drinking enough fluids can make urine more concentrated, which may increase the chance of stone formation. Drinking enough water is one of the most common preventive measures.
Can kidney stones return after passing?
Yes. Kidney stones can come back, especially if the underlying cause is not addressed. Fluid intake, diet, family history, and certain medical conditions can all affect recurrence risk.
Can kidney stones cause pain on both sides?
Kidney stone pain usually affects one side, depending on which kidney or ureter is involved. Pain on both sides is less common and may need further evaluation to identify the cause.
What can the ER do for kidney stones?
The ER can evaluate your symptoms, provide pain relief, run urine or blood tests, and use imaging such as a CT scan or ultrasound to check the stone’s size and location. Treatment depends on what the tests show and how the stone is affecting you.
