Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the pyelocaliceal system of the kidney. Often, these calculi form due to high urine concentration, excess body weight, certain supplements and medications. However, other causes can exist, ranging from metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes) to genetic conditions (e.g., renal tubular acidosis).

    If they are small, they can pass through the reno-uretero-bladder pathway without any symptoms. If they are larger, they may either pass but cause symptoms by scratching the soft tissues or remain in place, leading to complications such as stasis, inflammation, infection or loss of function.

    The symptoms you may experience include:

• Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain that fluctuates in intensity
• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Frequent need to urinate
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Fever and chills (if an infection is developing)

    The pain associated with a renal stone can vary in intensity and location, especially as the stone moves and encounters narrower structures like the ureter.

    You should seek medical attention if you experience:

• Severe pain that does not improve in any position
• Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Pain with fever and chills
• Blood in your urine
• Difficulty passing urine

    After explaining your symptoms to a doctor, he may recommend additional investigations such as ultrasound, X-ray or non-contrast CT.

    In my practice as a radiologist, I see kidney stones daily and I can tell you that younger individuals are not excluded from this condition.

    I encourage you to maintain a healthy diet, drink water according to your age and weight and stay informed!

    Have a beautiful day!

P.S. The image is an abdominal X-ray where you can see on the right side of the photo (fun fact: which corresponds to the patient’s left side), two small calculi that will be treated with a laser to make them smaller and facilitate extraction.