Urine is composed of dissolved minerals and salts. If your urine has high amounts of these minerals and salts, your body can form kidney stones. Men have a greater chance of suffering from kidney stones, which may vary in size ranging from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball.
According to NJ’s Top Urologist Dr. Mukaram Gazi, these six signs and symptoms may mean you have kidney stones;
1) Discomfort in the back, stomach or side:
If you feel a sharp cramping pain in the back or your side which comes in waves this could mean you have kidney stones. This pain usually moves from the lower abdomen to the groin.
2) Discomfort while urinating:
When the stone reaches the junction between the ureter and bladder, you may feel a stinging sensation similar to that felt when there is a urinary tract infection. This stinging sensation may mean that you have kidney stones.
3) Trace of blood in urine:
Stones may tear or scratch the lining of the urinary tract and its associated organs. This leads to traces of blood being mixed with urine which may vary in color (red, pink or brown). In some cases, traces of blood can only be determined with a microscope, in this case you should contact your doctor.
4) Urgent need to urinate:
If the stone moves down your groin, you’ll usually feel an urgency to urinate, and you’ll urinate often. You may also have a burning sensation when urinating.
5) Slow flow of urine:
Kidney stones may obstruct urine path in the ureter which may slow down and in some cases, where the stone is large enough, stop flow. If the blockage is not treated, it can back up urine which may damage your kidneys.
6) Cloudy color or foul smell:
Ammonia smelling urine is an indicator that you may have kidney stones. Kidney stones can lead to urinary tract infections which may cause pus filled or smelly urine.
Do not hesitate to contact your doctor in case you have any of these symptoms and remember “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, don’t forget to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.
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