Final answer:
A kidney stone causes pain along the course of the ureter. Pain, known as renal colic, can be accompanied by symptoms like nausea and hematuria. Severe cases may require medical treatments like lithotripsy or surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
A kidney stone causes pain along the course of the ureter. When kidney stones grow to a sufficient size, typically at least 2-3 millimeters, they can cause obstruction of the ureter. This leads to severe pain known as renal colic, which is typically felt in the flank, lower abdomen, and groin. The pain from kidney stones is due to obstruction with dilation or stretching of the upper ureter and renal pelvis, as well as muscle spasm attempting to move the stone.
Symptoms such as nausea and hematuria (bloody urine) might accompany the pain. Hematuria occurs due to damage to the lining of the urinary tract. In cases where the stone blocks the flow of urine completely, treatments like lithotripsy, stent insertion, or surgery might be required.