15% of the Spanish population suffers from renal colic caused by kidney stones. The age group between 30 and 50 is the most prone.1
Renal colic occurs when a stone obstructs the outflow of urine from the kidney, causing it to dilate.
How to know if the pain is from renal colic?
Renal colic pain is not constant, nor does it affect all people with kidney stones.2
The main symptom is intense pain that starts and disappears suddenly. It is an oscillating pain that rises and falls in intensity, with no possible position that helps neutralize it.3
It is very likely to appear in the abdominal area or on one side of the back, radiating to the groin area, testicles (men) or vaginal lips (women).
It can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
•Abnormal urine color
•Blood in the urine
•Chills
•Fever
•Nausea
How much does renal colic hurt?
Sometimes the colic pain is mild or moderate and perfectly tolerable. But in most cases, colic pain is one of the strongest pains a human can experience, even more so than natural childbirth.
The McGill Pain Scale scores pain from 0 to 50. According to this scale, colic pain is at a score of 46, above the pain of childbirth and even finger amputation.
What can I do to prevent renal colic?
There is up to an 80% chance that you will suffer another renal colic attack in the next 10 years, which is why it is important to prevent the appearance of kidney stones.
The main foundations are:
-Maintain a healthy lifestyle
-Adapt your diet to your type of kidney stone. Consult a nutritionist!
-Drink a minimum of 2-3 liters of water daily
-Maintain your urinary pH in the proper range and maintain good urinary health with Lit-Control.
References:
*1 https://www.fundacio-puigvert.es/enfermedades/colico-nefritico/
