What are the symptoms and causes of kidney stones?

Dear Sunny Singh ji,

Kidney stones can usually be treated successfully, but the right treatment depends on the size, location, and type of stone, as well as your symptoms. If you are experiencing severe pain, blood in the urine, fever, or difficulty passing urine, you should consult a urologist as soon as possible.

What Are the Symptoms of a Kidney Stone?

Common symptoms include :

• Severe pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen

• Pain while passing urine

• Blood in the urine

• Frequent urge to urinate

• Burning sensation during urination

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fever and chills (if an infection is present)

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

Doctor recommend :

• Ultrasound (USG KUB)

• CT KUB scan

• Urine routine and culture

• Blood tests to assess kidney function

• Stone analysis (if the stone has already passed)

What Are the Treatment Options?

The treatment depends on the size of the stone :

• Small stones (usually less than 5 mm): These often pass naturally with adequate hydration, pain-relieving medicines, and medications that help relax the urinary tract.

• Medium-sized stones (5–10 mm): Depending on their location and symptoms, they may pass with medicines or require minimally invasive treatment.

• Large stones (more than 10 mm): These usually require a procedure to remove or break the stone.

Common treatment procedures include :

• Medical management with medicines and increased fluid intake

• ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): Uses shock waves to break the stone into smaller fragments.

• URS (Ureteroscopy): A thin scope is passed through the urinary tract to remove or break the stone with a laser.

• RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): A flexible scope and laser are used to treat stones inside the kidney without any external incision.

• PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): Recommended for large or complex kidney stones through a small incision in the back.

Can Kidney Stones Be Prevented?

To reduce the risk of future stones :

• Drink 2.5–3 litres of water daily, unless your doctor advises otherwise.

• Reduce excess salt intake.

• Limit sugary drinks.

• Eat a balanced diet with adequate fruits and vegetables.

• Follow your doctor's advice based on the type of stone you have had.

How HexaHealth Can Help

HexaHealth can help you connect with experienced urologists for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones. We can assist you with :

• Booking a consultation with a kidney stone specialist.

• Arranging ultrasound, CT scan, and other diagnostic tests.

• Finding the right hospital for ESWL, URS, RIRS, or PCNL.

• Providing treatment cost estimates and insurance assistance.

• Coordinating your treatment from diagnosis to recovery.

If you let us know your city and the size of your kidney stone (if known), we can help you find the most suitable urologist and treatment option near you.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth