Kidney stone issues refer to the different problems that can occur when mineral crystals form stones within the urinary system.

A kidney stone may remain inside the kidney without causing symptoms, or it may move into the ureter and interfere with urine flow. Depending on its size and location, a stone can cause pain, bleeding, urinary symptoms, infection or obstruction.

Not every stone requires immediate removal. Small stones may pass naturally in selected patients, while larger, obstructing, painful or complicated stones may require active treatment.

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides evaluation of kidney function and kidney-related complications associated with stone disease.

Common Problems Caused by Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can create different problems depending on where they are located.

Some common issues include:

• Sudden flank or back pain

• Pain spreading toward the lower abdomen or groin

• Blood in urine

• Burning while urinating

• Frequent or urgent urination

• Nausea and vomiting

• Difficulty passing urine

• Urinary obstruction

• Recurrent urinary infections

• Kidney infection

• Reduced kidney function in complicated cases

A stone can also remain completely silent and be discovered during an ultrasound or CT scan performed for another reason.

Why Do Kidney Stones Form?

Kidney stones develop when certain substances in urine become concentrated enough to form crystals.

Depending on the type of stone, these substances may include:

• Calcium

• Oxalate

• Uric acid

• Phosphate

• Cystine

The most common stones are calcium-based stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones. Other types include uric acid, struvite and cystine stones.

Stone formation can be influenced by hydration, dietary patterns, metabolic conditions, family history, recurrent urinary infections and certain medications or medical disorders.

Early Kidney Stone Issues You Should Not Ignore

A stone may initially produce subtle symptoms before causing more significant discomfort.

Possible early warning signs include:

Changes in Urination

You may notice increased urinary frequency, urgency, burning or difficulty passing urine.

Blood in Urine

Urine may appear pink, red or brown, although blood may also be detectable only through laboratory testing.

One-Sided Back or Flank Discomfort

Pain associated with a moving stone may occur in the side or back and can travel toward the abdomen or groin.

Recurrent Urinary Symptoms

Repeated urinary symptoms may warrant investigation, particularly when stones or obstruction are suspected.

Early evaluation can help determine whether a stone is present and whether it is affecting urinary drainage.

What Does Kidney Stone Pain Feel Like?

Kidney stone pain can be intense and may occur in waves.

It may begin around the side or back and move toward:

• Lower abdomen

• Pelvis

• Groin

The location can change as the stone moves through the urinary tract.

Pain may occur together with nausea or vomiting.

However, not every episode of back or abdominal pain is caused by a kidney stone. Muscle, spine, gastrointestinal and other urinary conditions can produce similar symptoms.

Can Kidney Stones Cause Blood in Urine?

Yes.

A stone moving through the urinary tract can irritate the urinary lining and cause hematuria, or blood in the urine.

The blood may be:

• Visible

• Microscopic and detected only through a urine test

Blood in urine should not automatically be attributed to a kidney stone because urinary infections, kidney diseases and other conditions can also cause hematuria.

Can a Kidney Stone Block Urine?

Yes.

A stone can become lodged in the ureter and partially or completely interfere with urine drainage.

Persistent obstruction may cause pressure to build up within the urinary system and can potentially affect kidney function.

The risk becomes particularly serious when urinary obstruction occurs together with infection.

Kidney Stone and Urinary Infection

Kidney stones and urinary infections can sometimes occur together.

A stone may interfere with normal urine drainage, creating a setting in which infection becomes more difficult to manage.

Symptoms that can suggest infection include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Burning urination

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

• Flank pain

• Nausea or vomiting

An infected obstructed urinary tract requires prompt medical assessment. Treatment may require antibiotics and, when a blockage is present, a procedure to restore urine drainage.

Can Kidney Stones Damage the Kidneys?

Many kidney stones do not cause permanent kidney damage when appropriately managed. However, complications can occur when stones remain untreated and cause persistent obstruction, repeated infection or other urinary problems.

The risk can be greater when:

• Both kidneys are affected

• There is only one functioning kidney

• Urine flow is severely obstructed

• Infection develops behind an obstruction

• Kidney function is already reduced

For this reason, a person with known stones and abnormal creatinine or reduced urine output should receive appropriate medical evaluation.

How Are Kidney Stone Issues Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually combines the patient's symptoms with urine, blood and imaging tests.

Urine Examination

A urine test may detect:

• Blood

• White blood cells

• Bacteria

• Crystals

• Other abnormalities

Urine testing can also help identify a possible urinary infection.

Blood Tests

Depending on the situation, a doctor may check:

• Creatinine

• eGFR

• Electrolytes

• Calcium

• Uric acid

• Blood count

• Other relevant parameters

These tests can help assess kidney function and identify possible factors contributing to stone formation.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can help identify many stones and may show urinary obstruction or swelling of the kidney.

CT Scan

A CT scan may provide more detailed information about:

• Stone size

• Exact location

• Number of stones

• Urinary obstruction

• Other urinary abnormalities

The appropriate imaging test depends on the patient's age, symptoms and clinical circumstances.

Does Every Kidney Stone Need Surgery?

No.

Treatment is determined by factors such as:

• Stone size

• Stone location

• Stone composition

• Symptoms

• Urinary obstruction

• Infection

• Kidney function

• Likelihood of natural passage

Small stones may pass without an invasive procedure in selected patients. Larger or problematic stones may require active removal.

Treatment Options for Kidney Stone Issues

Observation

A small stone that is likely to pass may sometimes be monitored with appropriate medical supervision.

Medicines

Doctors may prescribe medicines for pain and, in selected cases, medicines that facilitate passage of certain ureteral stones.

Medicines may also be used to reduce the risk of future stones after the stone type and metabolic risk factors have been assessed.

Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL or ESWL) uses externally generated shock waves to break a stone into smaller fragments.

Whether it is appropriate depends on the stone's size, location and other characteristics.

Ureteroscopy and Laser Treatment

During ureteroscopy, a thin instrument is passed through the urinary tract to reach the stone.

The stone can be removed or fragmented, sometimes using laser energy.

This approach is commonly used for stones in the ureter and kidney when active removal is required.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

PCNL involves accessing the kidney through a small opening in the back to remove or fragment larger kidney stones.

It is particularly useful for selected larger or complex renal stones.

The treating urologist selects the procedure according to the stone characteristics and the patient's medical condition.

Can Kidney Stones Be Treated Without Surgery?

Sometimes.

A smaller stone that is not causing infection, significant obstruction or persistent uncontrolled symptoms may be managed conservatively.

However, home treatment should not be used as a substitute for evaluation when a stone is large or causing complications.

Excessive water intake cannot reliably force an obstructing stone through the urinary tract.

If vomiting causes dehydration or the stone is blocking urine, hospital-based treatment may be required.

What About Kidney Stone Medicines?

There is no universal tablet that removes every type of kidney stone.

Some medicines are used for specific circumstances.

For example, depending on stone type and metabolic findings, preventive treatment may include medicines such as potassium citrate or other prescribed therapies. Uric acid stones may sometimes be managed with urine alkalinization under medical supervision.

Medication should be selected according to the stone type, kidney function and other medical conditions.

Why Can Kidney Stones Keep Coming Back?

Having one kidney stone increases the possibility of developing another.

Recurrence may be associated with:

• Inadequate fluid intake

• High urinary calcium

• High urinary oxalate

• High uric acid

• Low urinary citrate

• High sodium intake

• Certain dietary patterns

• Family history

• Metabolic disorders

• Recurrent urinary infections

• Certain medicines

Finding out why the stone formed is therefore important for long-term prevention.

How Can Recurrent Kidney Stones Be Prevented?

Prevention should be tailored to the type of stone and the individual's risk factors.

Maintain Appropriate Fluid Intake

Adequate fluid intake helps dilute substances that can form stones. The required amount varies with climate, activity, kidney function and other health conditions.

Reduce Excess Sodium

High dietary sodium can increase the risk of certain calcium-containing kidney stones. Limiting excessive salt can therefore be useful.

Do Not Unnecessarily Avoid Dietary Calcium

For many calcium-stone patients, normal dietary calcium is not automatically harmful and may actually help reduce intestinal absorption of oxalate.

Calcium intake should be individualized rather than eliminated without medical advice.

Review Animal Protein Intake

Large amounts of animal protein can contribute to stone risk in some people. Dietary changes should depend on the stone type and overall nutritional requirements.

Consider Stone Analysis

If a stone is retrieved, laboratory analysis can identify its composition.

Consider Metabolic Testing

People with recurrent or high-risk stones may benefit from additional evaluation, which can include 24-hour urine testing.

This can identify abnormalities such as excessive calcium, oxalate, uric acid or inadequate citrate.

Kidney Stone Problems in People With Reduced Kidney Function

People who already have chronic kidney disease require additional care when kidney stones develop.

Treatment decisions may need to consider:

• Existing eGFR

• Creatinine

• Potassium

• Current medicines

• Fluid restrictions

• Blood pressure

• Risk of obstruction

• Risk of infection

Pain medicines also need careful selection because some commonly used drugs can be unsuitable for people with reduced kidney function.

A nephrologist can assess kidney function and coordinate care with a urologist when a stone procedure is required.

Kidney Stone Issues During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can make the evaluation of urinary symptoms more complex.

Flank pain, urinary symptoms, fever or vomiting during pregnancy should be discussed promptly with the treating healthcare team.

Imaging and treatment choices need to account for pregnancy and should be individualized.

Pregnant patients should not take stone medicines or painkillers without medical advice.

When Is a Kidney Stone an Emergency?

Seek urgent medical attention if kidney stone symptoms are accompanied by:

• Fever or chills

• Severe or worsening pain

• Persistent vomiting

• Very little or no urine

• Difficulty passing urine

• Severe weakness

• Confusion

• Known obstruction with signs of infection

• Sudden deterioration in health

An infected and obstructed urinary tract can become a serious medical emergency and may require urgent drainage as well as infection treatment.

Kidney Stone Evaluation at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic

At Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic, Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke, super specialist nephrologist and transplant physician, provides individualized evaluation for patients with kidney stone issues and associated kidney-function concerns.

Depending on the patient's condition, evaluation may include:

• Review of kidney stone symptoms

• Assessment of previous stone episodes

• Creatinine and eGFR testing

• Urine examination

• Assessment for protein or blood in urine

• Review of ultrasound or CT findings

• Evaluation for urinary obstruction

• Assessment of infection

• Review of recurrent stone risk factors

• Kidney-function monitoring

• Coordination with appropriate urological specialists for stone removal

• Long-term kidney care and prevention planning

The appropriate treatment depends on the stone characteristics, urinary drainage, infection status and the patient's overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common kidney stone issues?

Common problems include flank pain, blood in urine, urinary symptoms, obstruction, infection, nausea and vomiting. Some stones remain silent and are found during imaging.

Can a kidney stone go away on its own?

Some smaller stones can pass naturally, depending on their size and location. Larger or obstructing stones may require active treatment.

Are kidney stones dangerous?

Many stones can be treated successfully, but untreated stones can sometimes cause severe pain, infection, urinary obstruction or loss of kidney function.

Can kidney stones cause kidney infection?

A stone can contribute to urinary obstruction, and obstruction may occur together with infection. An infected obstructed urinary tract requires urgent medical assessment.

What is the best treatment for kidney stones?

There is no single treatment that is best for every stone. Observation, medicines, SWL, ureteroscopy with or without laser fragmentation, and PCNL may be considered depending on stone size, location and clinical circumstances.

How can I prevent another kidney stone?

Appropriate fluid intake, reducing excessive sodium, maintaining an appropriate dietary pattern and identifying the stone type can help guide prevention. Some patients also need metabolic testing or preventive medicines.

Which doctor should I see for kidney stone issues?

A urologist commonly manages procedures for stone removal, while a nephrologist evaluates kidney function, recurrent stone-related kidney problems and associated medical conditions. In some cases, coordinated care between both specialists is appropriate.

Conclusion

Kidney stone issues range from a small, silent stone that requires monitoring to a painful or obstructing stone that needs urgent treatment.

Understanding the stone's size, location, composition and effect on urine flow is central to choosing the right approach. Some stones can pass naturally, while others may require medicines, shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser treatment or PCNL.

Long-term care is equally important. Identifying why stones formed, analyzing retrieved stones when possible, maintaining appropriate fluid intake and making individualized dietary changes can reduce the risk of recurrence.

If you have recurrent kidney stones, persistent urinary symptoms, abnormal kidney-function tests or symptoms suggesting obstruction or infection, specialist evaluation can help prevent complications.

For individualized kidney evaluation and kidney-function management, consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke at Prabhakar Bhurke Clinic.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical diagnosis, treatment or individualized medical advice. Kidney stones vary in size, location, composition and clinical significance, so treatment must be selected according to the individual patient's condition. Do not attempt to force a stone to pass by excessive fluid intake or take painkillers, antibiotics, stone medicines or herbal remedies without professional guidance. People with reduced kidney function, pregnancy, a single functioning kidney or other significant medical conditions require individualized advice. Fever, chills, severe or worsening pain, persistent vomiting, very little or no urine, difficulty passing urine or suspected infection with urinary obstruction require urgent medical assessment. Consult Dr. Sandip Prabhakar Bhurke or another qualified nephrologist or urologist for personalized evaluation and treatment.