Recognizing a kidney stone attack:
Kidney stones form when the minerals and acid salts in your
urine crystallize, stick together, and solidify into a mass. This happens when your urine contains more crystal-forming
substances such as calcium and uric acid, than the available fluid can dilute.
The conditions allowing kidney stones to form are created by problems in the way your body absorb and eliminates calcium and other substances. Sometimes the underlying cause is a metabolic disorder or kidney stones.. Certain drugs can also promote kidney stones.
COMMON SYMPTOMS:
1. Pain in your side and back, below your ribs.
2. Episodes of pain lasting 20-60 minutes, of varying intensity.
3. Pain "waves" radiating from your side and back, to your lower abdomen and groin
4. Bloody, cloudy or faul-smelling urine.
5. Nausea and vomiting.
6. "Urgency" (persistent urge to urinate)
7. Fever and chills (indicates an infection is also present)
8. Pain with urination