What should you know about left nephrolithiasis?

A stone can remain in the kidney or move into the tube carrying urine to the bladder. Movement may cause severe pain in the left flank or abdomen that comes in waves, nausea, blood in the urine, painful urination or an urge to urinate. A small stone may pass without a procedure, while a larger or lodged stone can obstruct urine flow. Dehydration can make concentrated urine more likely to form crystals, but a stone can have several contributing causes.

The side of the pain does not by itself show where the stone is or how serious it is. A clinician may consider your symptoms, examination, urine testing and imaging such as an Abdominal Ultrasound.

Arrange a GP Consultation for new, persistent or significant flank pain, especially if urinary symptoms are present. Follow the clinician's advice about fluids; do not force large amounts if you are vomiting or have been told to restrict fluids. Take only pain relief that is suitable for you and use medicines exactly as directed. If a stone is being managed at home, ask how to monitor symptoms and whether you should strain urine or return for imaging. Keep a record of pain episodes, urine changes and any fever.

Seek urgent help for severe or uncontrolled pain, fever or chills with suspected stone symptoms, repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, or difficulty passing urine. These features can signal infection or blocked urine flow and need prompt assessment. Seek immediate care if you have one functioning kidney, known kidney disease, or are pregnant and develop severe pain or urinary symptoms. Do not wait for a stone to pass when you feel acutely unwell.

Where is the stone and is urine flow obstructed? What tests are needed? Which pain medicines are safe for me? What symptoms mean I should return urgently, and how will we confirm that the stone has passed?