Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidney. They are caused by the kidney failing to filter out all of the excess minerals from your urine or because there's a very high concentration of specific minerals in your urine. Doctors use X-rays and other imaging techniques to diagnose kidney stone problems. Once you know you have kidney stones, you may need kidney stone removal.

It's important to know the signs that kidney stones are causing problems before they cause kidney failure. Here are four signs of kidney stones:

1. Kidney Pain

Kidney pain can signify kidney stones, kidney damage from diabetes, or long-term high blood pressure. If you have sharp kidney pain on your side that is constant for at least a few minutes, kidney stone removal might be the only way to prevent the condition from being worse.

While kidney stones are rarely life-threatening, they can be extremely painful, especially when they block part of the kidney. In some cases, kidney stones may become lodged in one of the kidney's many tiny tubes, called ureters. This can cause a great deal of pain when urine that is backed up from the kidney to the bladder is released into the ureter and then out through urination. Pain is also experienced if the stones block the flow of urine completely.

2. Nausea and Vomiting

Kidney stones may also cause you to feel nauseous or experience bouts of vomiting. If kidney stones are very large, they may even block the passage of food from your stomach to your intestines, leading to further problems.

3. Blood in Urine

If kidney stones are not removed, blood may be visible in the urine. This blood is called hematuria and is usually noticed as red or brown urine, but can also manifest as pink, orange, or tea-colored urine. Hematuria is sometimes the kidney stone's only symptom. If kidney stones are not removed, kidney function may be permanently damaged, and you may require kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore kidney function.

4. Frequent Kidney Infections

If kidney stones stay in the kidneys for an extended period, they can lead to kidney infections. For instance, kidney stones that get stuck in the urinary tract increase the risk of urinary tract infections because they provide a place for bacteria to grow and multiply.

The Bottom Line

Most kidney stones start small and pass without symptoms. But kidney stone removal may become necessary when a kidney stone causes persistent pain or blocks the flow of urine, which requires prompt medical attention.