The telltale signs you may have a kidney stone, from sweating to blood in your urine

By Liam On Mar 4, 2024

Fans of Michael McIntyre have been forced to consider missing out on the chance to see the comedian live after he was rushed to hospital this weekend.

The British comedian, 48, underwent emergency surgery on Sunday to remove kidney stones, forcing him to cancel a show at Southampton’s Mayflower Theater on March 4 while he recovers.

Kidney stones occur in more than one in ten people, usually between the ages of 30 and 60, and are caused by waste products in the blood-forming crystals. Over time, the crystals build up and form a hard, stone-like clump.

Once a kidney stone has formed, the body tries to pass it through the urine. Most are small enough to do this and can be managed at home.

However, when they grow too large, they can become extremely painful and usually require surgery to remove them.

So what are the signs that you may have a kidney stone?

Michael McIntyre, 48, underwent emergency surgery on Sunday to remove kidney stones, forcing him to cancel a show at Southampton’s Mayflower Theater on March 4 while he recovers

A member of Michael’s team revealed that he had gone for surgery to remove kidney stones and apologized for any inconvenience caused to fans. Kidney stones occur in more than one in ten people, usually between the ages of 30 and 60, and are caused by waste products in the blood-forming crystals. Over time, the crystals build up and form a hard, stone-like clump

Pain in the back or side of the abdomen

According to the National Kidney Foundation, as a general rule, the larger the stone, the more pronounced the symptoms.

Severe pain on either side of the lower back is a common complaint.

These periods of intense pain in the back or side of the abdomen, or sometimes in the groin, can last minutes or hours.

Men may experience pain in their testicles. Kidney stones cause pain, which can build up quickly, either by causing irritation or blockage.

WHAT ARE KIDNEY STONES?

Kidney stones are hard lumps that form due to a buildup of waste products in the blood.

They are usually found in the kidney or ureter – the tube that connects the kidneys to your bladder.

They can be extremely painful and can lead to kidney infections or a kidney that does not work properly if left untreated.

A tenth of Britons and Americans suffer from kidney stones, with 30 to 60 year olds being the most vulnerable.

The risk of this happening is greater if someone does not drink enough, uses certain medications or has an underlying condition.

Those who are in severe pain, have a high fever or have blood in the urine should contact their GP or NHS 111 immediately.

Once a kidney stone has formed, the body tries to pass it through the urine.

Most are small enough to do this and can be managed at home.

However, larger stones may need to be broken up surgically.

Up to half of all patients will develop kidney stones again within five years.

Source: NHS

The latter can happen if the stone blocks the flow of urine and causes the kidney to swell.

Blood in the urine

Patients may also experience blood in the urine, medically known as hematuria, when a kidney stone is passed.

Larger stones can destroy tissue in the urinary tract, causing blood to leak into the urine.

However, there are many possible causes for blood in the urine, including a urinary tract infection, a tumor in the bladder or kidney, or polycystic kidney disease.

The NHS urges anyone who notices blood in their urine to have it checked with an urgent GP appointment as soon as possible, even if you have no other symptoms, it is the first time this has happened or there is only a small amount is blood.

It could be a sign of cancer, which is easier to treat if caught early.

Urinary infection

If a kidney stone blocks the urinary tract, it can stop the stream of urine that flows through the ureter and drains urine from the kidney.

This can lead to infection or even damage to the kidneys.

This involves typical infection symptoms such as high fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

People may also experience pink or cloudy urine and need to urinate more often than normal.

This is because the stone irritates the base of your bladder and tricks it into thinking it is full.

Others may experience a burning sensation while urinating.

Feeling sick or vomiting

However, telltale signs of kidney stones do not always involve urination.

They can also cause flu-like symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, causing confusion about what condition people are suffering from.

According to the British Association of Urological Surgeons, this symptom can be caused when the stone moves from the kidney to the ureter – the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.

The pain it can cause is “very unpleasant” and leads to nausea and vomiting, the organization says.

Once a kidney stone has formed, the body tries to pass it through the urine. Most are small enough to do this and can be managed at home. However, when they grow too large, they can become extremely painful and usually require surgery to remove them. Pictured is Michael presenting his BBC1 program ‘Michael McIntyre’s Big Show’

Feeling sweat

Kidney stones can also cause other flu-like symptoms, such as chills.

This is normally the result of a urinary tract infection, according to health chiefs in Victoria, Australia.

But similar symptoms can be caused by problems with your back or spine and other urological or non-urological conditions.

The Association of Urological Surgeons is urging anyone experiencing these symptoms to make an appointment with their GP to see what further tests Britons may need.

Tests to diagnose kidney stones include a blood test to check if the kidneys are working properly, a urine test to check for blood or an infection, and a CT scan or ultrasound.