About this topic
Renal colic is very bad pain caused by kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard objects made from chemicals in the urine. Most often, small stones can move easily through the kidneys. Then, they go through tubes, called ureters, that connect to the bladder. Once in the bladder, the stones leave the body when you pass urine. But, when these kidney stones are too big or get stuck, a person can have bad pain in the back, lower belly, or groin. As the stones try to move down into the bladder and out of the body, they can cause nonstop pain or the pain may come and go. The pain can last for hours or for days until the stones pass out of the body. ‚
Stones can form in one or both kidneys and can be made of calcium, phosphate, oxalate, and other things. When the stones are large enough to prevent urine from leaving the body, they cause pain. ‚
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What are the causes?
Kidney stones are the cause of renal colic. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
White males are more likely to have this problem. Eating a diet high in animal protein like meat and eggs may make you more at risk. People who are very overweight may also have a higher chance of having kidney stones. Once you have had a kidney stone, you are likely to have more. If other family members have kidney stones, you are also more likely to have them. ‚
What are the main signs?
Some kidney stones do not cause much blockage and may not cause signs of renal colic. These may be found when x-rays are done for other reasons and may pass through the urine on their own. Kidney stones that cause more of a block may cause these signs: ‚
- Sharp, stabbing pain in the mid to lower back
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Faster heartbeat
- Blood in the urine
- Bad smelling, cloudy urine
- Feeling the need to pass urine
- Fever and chills
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and will do an exam. The doctor may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- Urine culture
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Ultrasound
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
If you have kidney stones, follow your doctors orders. You may also be asked to strain your urine to catch any stones. Care for renal colic includes: ‚
- Drink liquids often to flush your kidneys and avoid fluid loss.
- Lie on your side that is not having pain.
- Put heat on your belly.
- Take a warm bath.
If you cannot pass the kidney stone(s) on your own, your doctor may want to: ‚
- Place a stent to go around the blockage and help with urine flow
- Do a procedure that crushes the stone
- Remove the stone
- Give you drugs to help with pain
You should start feeling better soon after a stone is passed or removed. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or fight an infection
- Treat upset stomach and throwing up
- Relax the muscles in the urinary tract
What problems could happen?
Stones may lodge in the kidney itself or in the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. This could cause: ‚
- Trouble passing urine
- Kidney infection which could get into the blood
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
It is hard to know when mores stones may form. This is why it is important to try to avoid them. Your doctor may ask you to do one or more of these: ‚
- Drink lots of liquids, mostly water.
- Avoid sugary drinks, coffee, and tea.
- Use less salt and eat less salty foods.
- Avoid a high protein diet.
- Talk with your doctor about a diet right for you. Based on your chance for getting kidney stones, you may need to limit or avoid certain types of foods and drinks. Talking to a dietician may help.
Where can I learn more?
American Kidney Fund ‚
http://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-health/kidney-problems/kidney-stones.html ‚
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/content/moreinfo/kidneystone05.pdf ‚
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ‚
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/KUDiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.aspx ‚
National Kidney Foundation ‚
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones.cfm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚