Introduction
Understanding kidney stones causes and treatment can help patients recognize symptoms early and seek appropriate care. Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when certain substances in urine become concentrated and crystallize inside the urinary system.
A kidney stone may remain in the kidney without causing symptoms or may move into the ureter and obstruct urine flow. The resulting pain can range from mild discomfort to severe colicky pain.
Treatment is not the same for every stone. A small stone may pass naturally with appropriate medical supervision, while a larger, obstructing, infected, or persistent stone may require active treatment.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, a super specialist nephrologist, provides comprehensive kidney stone evaluation, kidney function assessment, metabolic evaluation, recurrence prevention, and coordinated care when urological stone removal is required.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are solid crystal deposits that develop when minerals and other substances in urine become concentrated.
Common stone types include:
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Calcium oxalate stones
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Calcium phosphate stones
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Uric acid stones
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Struvite stones
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Cystine stones
Knowing the stone type can help doctors understand why it formed and how future stones may be prevented.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones can develop because of a combination of dietary, metabolic, genetic, medical, and environmental factors.
Not Drinking Enough Fluids
Low fluid intake can result in concentrated urine, increasing the likelihood of crystal formation.
People who lose large amounts of fluid through sweating or have limited access to water may also have increased risk.
High Urinary Calcium
Some people naturally excrete higher amounts of calcium in their urine, which can contribute to calcium stone formation.
High Oxalate Levels
Oxalate can combine with calcium and form calcium oxalate crystals.
Foods containing significant amounts of oxalate include certain leafy vegetables, nuts, and other foods. Dietary recommendations should be individualized rather than unnecessarily restricting large numbers of foods.
High Uric Acid
High urinary uric acid can contribute to uric acid stones and may also promote calcium oxalate stone formation in some patients.
Conditions such as gout and diets high in animal protein can increase risk in susceptible individuals.
Low Urinary Citrate
Citrate can inhibit certain types of crystal formation. Low urinary citrate may therefore increase the risk of calcium stones.
High Salt Intake
Excessive dietary sodium can increase urinary calcium excretion in susceptible individuals.
Family History
A family history of kidney stones can increase an individual's risk.
Obesity and Metabolic Conditions
Obesity and certain metabolic conditions are associated with a higher risk of kidney stones.
Certain Medical Conditions
Stone risk can increase with conditions such as:
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Hyperparathyroidism
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Gout
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Certain bowel disorders
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Chronic diarrhea
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Some inherited metabolic conditions
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Recurrent urinary infections
Certain Medicines and Supplements
Some medicines and supplements can increase stone risk in specific circumstances.
Your doctor should review all medications and supplements when evaluating recurrent stones.
Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones do not always cause symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they may include:
Severe Flank Pain
A stone moving through the urinary tract can cause intense pain in the side or back.
Pain Radiating to the Groin
Ureteral stones may cause pain that moves from the flank toward the lower abdomen or groin.
Blood in the Urine
Stones can irritate the urinary tract and cause visible or microscopic blood in the urine.
Nausea and Vomiting
Severe stone pain may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Burning During Urination
A stone near the lower urinary tract can sometimes cause painful urination.
Frequent or Urgent Urination
A stone close to the bladder may cause urinary frequency or urgency.
Difficulty Passing Urine
An obstructing stone can interfere with urine flow.
Kidney Stone Pain: What Does It Feel Like?
Kidney stone pain is often described as severe, cramping, or wave-like pain.
It may:
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Begin suddenly
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Occur in the flank or side
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Move toward the abdomen or groin
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Come in waves
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Be associated with restlessness
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Occur with nausea or vomiting
Pain severity does not always indicate the exact size of a stone.
Kidney Stone and Infection: When Is It an Emergency?
A kidney stone can become particularly dangerous when it blocks urine flow and infection develops behind the obstruction.
Warning signs include:
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Fever
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Chills
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Severe flank pain
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Vomiting
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Weakness
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Difficulty passing urine
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Very low urine output
Fever or chills with an obstructing stone requires urgent medical evaluation.
In such situations, urgent urinary drainage and antibiotics may be needed before definitive stone removal.
Home remedies should never delay treatment of an infected urinary obstruction.
How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke evaluates the patient's symptoms, kidney function, stone history, and risk factors.
Medical History
The doctor may assess:
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Previous stones
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Family history
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Dietary habits
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Fluid intake
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Medication and supplement use
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Medical conditions
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Recurrent urinary infections
Blood Tests
Depending on the situation, tests may include:
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Serum creatinine
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eGFR
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Blood urea nitrogen
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Electrolytes
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Calcium
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Uric acid
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Other metabolic tests when indicated
Urine Tests
Investigations may include:
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Routine urinalysis
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Urine microscopy
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Urine pH
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Urine culture when infection is suspected
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Urine protein testing when appropriate
Imaging
Imaging may include:
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Kidney ultrasound
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Non-contrast CT scan when clinically appropriate
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Other imaging based on the patient's condition
Imaging helps determine:
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Stone size
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Stone location
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Number of stones
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Degree of obstruction
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Hydronephrosis
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Other urinary abnormalities
Kidney Stones Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the stone's size, location, composition, symptoms, degree of obstruction, infection status, and kidney function.
Observation and Medical Management
Some small, uncomplicated stones may pass naturally.
Medical management may include:
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Pain control
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Treatment for nausea
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Appropriate fluid intake
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Medicines that may facilitate passage of selected ureteral stones
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Follow-up imaging
Not every kidney stone requires a procedure.
ESWL
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) uses externally generated shock waves to break selected stones into smaller fragments.
Whether ESWL is appropriate depends on:
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Stone size
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Location
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Stone density
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Patient anatomy
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Obstruction
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Other medical factors
Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy
A urologist can use an endoscope to reach the stone and fragment it with a laser.
This minimally invasive approach is commonly used for selected kidney and ureteral stones.
RIRS
Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) allows a urologist to access stones inside the kidney through the urinary tract and treat selected stones using endoscopic techniques.
PCNL
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is commonly considered for larger or complex kidney stones.
A urologist generally performs ESWL, ureteroscopy, RIRS, and PCNL.
Can Kidney Stones Be Dissolved With Medicine?
Most kidney stones, particularly common calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, cannot be reliably dissolved with medication.
Selected uric acid stones may sometimes be dissolved by medically supervised urine alkalinization.
Therefore, knowing the likely stone composition can be important when considering treatment.
Unproven herbal or “stone dissolving” products should not replace proper diagnosis.
Medicines Used in Kidney Stone Management
Depending on the patient's situation, a doctor may prescribe medicines for:
Pain
Appropriate analgesics may be used to control stone-related pain.
Patients with CKD, dehydration, ulcers, bleeding risk, or other medical conditions should not take NSAIDs without medical advice.
Medicines to Help Selected Stones Pass
Certain ureteral stones may be managed with medicines such as alpha blockers when clinically appropriate.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used when a bacterial urinary infection is present or suspected.
Antibiotics do not dissolve kidney stones.
Potassium Citrate
Potassium citrate may be prescribed for selected patients with low urinary citrate or certain uric acid stone conditions.
Thiazide-Type Medicines
Selected patients with recurrent calcium stones and high urinary calcium may benefit from thiazide-type treatment under medical supervision.
Other Metabolic Treatments
Medicines such as allopurinol may be considered in selected recurrent stone formers with specific metabolic abnormalities.
Treatment should be based on medical evaluation rather than self-medication.
Does Every Kidney Stone Need Surgery?
No.
The word “surgery” is often used broadly by patients, but kidney stone management ranges from observation and medication to minimally invasive procedures.
Active stone removal may be considered when there is:
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Persistent or severe symptoms
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Significant obstruction
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Infection
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Reduced kidney function
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Increasing stone size
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Low likelihood of spontaneous passage
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Failure of conservative management
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Patient-specific reasons to remove the stone
The appropriate procedure depends on the individual stone and patient.
Role of a Nephrologist in Kidney Stone Treatment
A nephrologist can help identify why stones are forming and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Nephrology care may include:
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Kidney function assessment
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Metabolic evaluation
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Review of blood and urine abnormalities
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Recurrent stone evaluation
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Dietary guidance
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Prevention strategies
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Management of associated CKD
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Electrolyte assessment
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Long-term kidney monitoring
When a stone requires a procedure, a urologist generally performs the stone-removal treatment.
Kidney Stone Prevention
Preventing another stone is an important part of treatment.
Maintain Appropriate Fluid Intake
Adequate fluid intake can increase urine volume and reduce crystal concentration.
However, fluid intake should be individualized for people with advanced CKD, heart failure, reduced urine output, or other conditions requiring fluid restriction.
Reduce Excess Sodium
Limiting excessive salt intake may reduce urinary calcium excretion and help prevent some calcium stones.
Maintain Normal Dietary Calcium
Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, unnecessarily eliminating dietary calcium is generally not advisable for many calcium stone formers.
Moderate Animal Protein
Excessive animal protein can increase the risk of certain types of stones.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
A healthy weight and balanced diet may reduce metabolic risk factors associated with stone formation.
Stone Analysis
If a stone is passed or removed, laboratory analysis can help determine its composition.
24-Hour Urine Testing
People with recurrent or high-risk stones may benefit from metabolic testing, including 24-hour urine analysis.
Kidney Stones in Women
Women can develop kidney stones just as men can.
In women, stone symptoms may sometimes be confused with urinary tract infections because both conditions can cause:
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Burning during urination
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Frequent urination
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Lower abdominal discomfort
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Blood in the urine
A urine test can help distinguish infection from other causes.
Pregnant women require special consideration. Ultrasound is commonly used as an initial imaging test during pregnancy, while treatment and any required procedure are selected according to the patient's symptoms, gestational age, obstruction, infection, and overall condition.
Can Kidney Stones Damage the Kidneys?
Small uncomplicated stones may pass without causing permanent damage.
However, prolonged urinary obstruction, recurrent infections, or severe stone disease can affect kidney function.
The risk is greater when:
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Both kidneys are affected
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There is a single functioning kidney
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Urine flow is significantly obstructed
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Infection occurs behind an obstruction
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Kidney function is already reduced
Prompt evaluation helps reduce the risk of complications.
When Should You See a Kidney Specialist?
Consult a super specialist nephrologist if you have:
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Recurrent kidney stones
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Multiple stones
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Stones in both kidneys
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High creatinine
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Reduced eGFR
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Recurrent urinary infections
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Abnormal calcium or uric acid levels
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Protein in the urine
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Existing chronic kidney disease
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A family history of recurrent stones
Specialist evaluation can help identify underlying metabolic causes and develop a prevention plan.
Why Choose Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic?
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, patients receive individualized kidney stone care focused on both treatment and prevention.
Services include:
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Consultation with Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, a super specialist nephrologist
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Comprehensive kidney function assessment
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Kidney stone evaluation
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Metabolic evaluation for recurrent stones
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Dietary and lifestyle guidance
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Management of associated kidney disease
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Prevention planning
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Evaluation of urinary obstruction and kidney complications
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Dialysis planning when medically required
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Kidney transplant evaluation and guidance
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Coordination with experienced urology specialists when stone-removal procedures are needed
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Long-term kidney health monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of kidney stones?
Common contributors include low fluid intake, concentrated urine, high urinary calcium or oxalate, low urinary citrate, high salt intake, high uric acid, family history, obesity, certain medical conditions, and some medications.
What is the best treatment for kidney stones?
There is no single best treatment for every stone. Small uncomplicated stones may be observed, while larger, obstructing, infected, or persistent stones may require ESWL, ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, RIRS, or PCNL.
Can a 4 mm kidney stone pass naturally?
A 4 mm stone may pass naturally, but the likelihood depends on its location and other factors. Medical evaluation and follow-up may be recommended.
Can kidney stones be dissolved naturally?
Most calcium stones cannot be dissolved naturally or with herbal medicines. Selected uric acid stones may sometimes be dissolved through medically supervised urine alkalinization.
Does drinking more water remove kidney stones?
Adequate hydration may support passage of selected small stones and is important for prevention. However, drinking excessive amounts of water does not guarantee stone removal and may be unsafe in some patients.
Can kidney stones cause kidney failure?
Severe or prolonged obstruction, especially when associated with infection or affecting both kidneys, can impair kidney function. Prompt treatment reduces the risk of serious complications.
Which doctor treats kidney stones?
A nephrologist evaluates kidney function, metabolic risk factors, recurrent stones, and prevention. A urologist generally performs procedures such as ESWL, ureteroscopy, RIRS, and PCNL.
When is a kidney stone an emergency?
A suspected stone accompanied by fever, chills, severe worsening pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty passing urine, or very low urine output requires urgent medical assessment.
Conclusion
Understanding kidney stones causes and treatment is important because stones can range from small deposits that pass naturally to larger or complicated stones requiring active intervention. Common causes include concentrated urine, metabolic abnormalities, dietary factors, family history, certain medical conditions, and some medications.
Treatment depends on the stone's size, location, composition, symptoms, obstruction, infection, and kidney function. Options may include observation, medical management, ESWL, ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, RIRS, or PCNL.
Prevention is equally important. Appropriate fluid intake, reduced excessive salt consumption, a balanced diet, metabolic evaluation, and treatment of underlying risk factors can help reduce recurrence.
At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, a super specialist nephrologist, provides comprehensive kidney stone evaluation, metabolic assessment, prevention guidance, and long-term kidney care. When procedural stone removal is required, coordinated care with an experienced urologist can help ensure appropriate treatment.
Book an Appointment Today
If you are experiencing kidney stone pain, blood in the urine, recurrent stones, urinary symptoms, high creatinine, reduced eGFR, recurrent urinary infections, or concerns about kidney stone treatment, schedule a consultation at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.
Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, a super specialist nephrologist, can assess your kidney function, identify possible causes of stone formation, recommend appropriate prevention strategies, and coordinate specialist treatment when a stone-removal procedure is required.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Kidney stone treatment depends on individual factors including stone size, location, composition, obstruction, infection, kidney function, and overall health. Do not rely on herbal or Unani remedies as a substitute for medical evaluation. Seek urgent medical attention for kidney stone symptoms accompanied by fever, chills, severe pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty passing urine, or very low urine output.
