Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form inside the kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are present in urine. These formations are a common urological condition, affecting a significant portion of the population. While their presence can sometimes go unnoticed, kidney stones cause significant discomfort and sharp pain as they move through the body.
Kidney Stones and the Digestive System
A common misconception is that kidney stones pass through the digestive system. However, kidneys are part of the urinary system, which is entirely separate from the digestive tract. The digestive system processes food, with waste exiting as feces.
In contrast, the urinary system filters waste and excess water from the blood to produce urine. This system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Therefore, kidney stones, which form in the kidneys, follow a different pathway for expulsion. They do not enter the intestines or pass through the digestive tract.
How Kidney Stones Exit the Body
Kidney stones exit the body solely through the urinary tract. After forming in a kidney, a stone may remain there without causing symptoms, or it can begin a journey through the narrow tubes of the urinary system. The stone first travels from the kidney down a ureter, which is a tube connecting the kidney to the bladder.
Once the stone reaches the bladder, it passes out of the body during urination through the urethra. Smaller stones, comparable to a grain of sand, may pass with little to no noticeable pain. Larger stones, which can range from the size of a pea, can cause significant pain as they move through these narrow passages, potentially blocking urine flow. Passed stones typically appear as small, gritty, crystalline formations, usually brown or yellow in color, and can be smooth or jagged.
Recognizing and Managing Kidney Stone Symptoms
Symptoms often become apparent when a stone moves within the kidney or into the ureter. Severe pain, often described as renal colic, is a primary symptom, felt in the back or side, just below the ribs. This pain can radiate to the lower abdomen and groin, often coming in waves and varying in intensity.
Other symptoms include pain or a burning sensation during urination, an urgent and frequent need to urinate, and blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or brown. Nausea and vomiting are also common, sometimes linked to the intense pain. If an infection is present, a person may experience fever and chills.
Seek prompt medical attention if experiencing excruciating pain, persistent vomiting, a high fever, chills, or an inability to pass urine. These symptoms could indicate a blockage or an infection requiring immediate medical evaluation. For smaller stones and milder cases, increased fluid intake, especially water, and pain management can help facilitate passage. Drinking enough fluids to maintain light-colored urine can also help prevent future stone formation.