kidney stone diet considerations

Overview

A kidney stone is a small, hard crystal that forms in the urine inside your kidney. A stone can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Most kidney stones leave the body in the urine, but some can cause pain, block the flow of urine, or need treatment. Your diet can strongly affect how likely stones are to form.

Kidney stones are common. About 1 in 10 people will develop one at some point, and the number of cases has been increasing.

Anyone can get a kidney stone. They are more common in adults, especially men, and in people who have a family history of stones, carry excess weight, or have certain health conditions.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Pain in your lower back or side that comes in waves
• Pain that moves to the lower belly or groin
• Pain when urinating
• Blood in urine - pink, red, or brown
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Needing to urinate more often or more urgently

Symptoms in children

• Belly pain rather than back pain
• Pain when urinating
• Blood in the urine
• Being sick
• Feeling tired, fussy, or irritable

Symptoms in older adults

• Less typical pain that may be hard to locate
• Confusion or just feeling generally unwell
• Loss of appetite
• Fever without an obvious cause
• A change in how often they urinate

Causes

Main causes

• Not drinking enough fluid, so the urine becomes too concentrated
• Eating a very salty diet, which can increase stone-forming substances in the urine
• Eating large amounts of animal protein, which can make urine more acidic
• Certain foods that are high in oxalates, especially when combined with low fluid intake or low calcium intake
• Medical conditions or medicines that change the balance of minerals in your urine

Risk factors

• Not drinking enough water
• A family history of kidney stones
• Carrying excess weight
• Having diabetes or high blood pressure
• Having a digestive disease that affects how your body absorbs food
• Taking certain medicines or high-dose supplements without medical supervision

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you notice blood in your urine
• If your pain is not going away or is getting worse
• If you feel burning when you urinate
• If you are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have already passed a stone and want to prevent another one
• If you have had kidney stones before and need a follow-up plan
• If you want personalised diet advice from a doctor or dietitian

Diagnosis

To find out whether you have a kidney stone, your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine you, and check your urine and blood. They may also order a scan to see the stone. If you pass a stone, it can be sent to a laboratory to find out what it is made of.

Tests that may be done

• Urine test to look for blood, infection, or stone-forming substances
• Blood test to check kidney function and look for other causes
• Imaging scan to see the size and location of the stone
• Stone analysis if you catch the stone at home

What to expect at your appointment

You will probably be asked to describe your symptoms and when they started. If the stone has not passed, your doctor may suggest drinking extra fluids and using safe pain relief. They may give you a strainer to catch the stone at home. This information helps you build a prevention plan.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size, location, and type of the stone, and on your symptoms. Many kidney stones are small enough to pass on their own. Larger stones or stones that block urine flow may need medical help.

Self-care at home

• Drink plenty of water unless your healthcare team tells you otherwise
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist which pain relief is safe for you
• Rest when the pain is severe and move gently when you feel able
• If your doctor gives you a strainer, pass urine through it to catch the stone
• Follow the diet and fluid plan your healthcare team recommends

Medical treatments

If a stone does not pass or causes problems, your doctor may prescribe medicines to help open the urinary passages, control pain, or change the balance of substances in your urine. Any infection is treated quickly. Your doctor will explain the best option for your situation.

When is surgery considered?

A specialist may need to break up or remove a stone if it is too large, blocks urine flow, or causes repeated pain. These procedures are common and are done in a hospital with anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure.

Living with this condition

Once a stone has passed, you may start to feel better quickly. Keep drinking fluids, keep your follow-up appointment, and bring the stone if you caught it. Ask which diet changes are right for your type of stone so you can lower the chance of another one.

Lifestyle tips

• Drink enough water so your urine looks light yellow
• Limit salty foods and heavily processed snacks
• Eat normal amounts of calcium from food such as milk, yogurt, or leafy greens
• Keep animal protein portions moderate
• Do not take high-dose vitamins or mineral supplements without your doctor's advice

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and enough fluids is best for most people. Try not to skip meals or severely restrict food groups. Regular physical activity helps you keep a healthy weight, which may lower your risk. Always check with a doctor or dietitian before making major diet changes, especially if you have other health conditions.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Kidney stone pain can be intense, and some people worry about having another stone or whether their diet plan is working. It is normal to feel anxious or stressed. Talk to your doctor, a counsellor, or someone you trust. If you feel overwhelmed or have thoughts of self-harm, contact your local crisis support line or emergency services right away.

Prevention

Many kidney stones can be prevented with the right fluid and diet plan. For people who have already had a stone, prevention can be very effective. A specialist or dietitian can help you figure out which changes matter most for your type of stone.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine to prevent kidney stones.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for kidney stones in generally healthy people. If you have had a stone before or have conditions that raise your risk, your doctor may check your urine and blood to create a prevention plan.

Complications

If left untreated

• A blockage that stops urine from leaving the kidney, which can damage the kidney
• A urinary tract infection that spreads into the kidney or bloodstream
• Repeated attacks of severe pain
• Long-term kidney damage if stones keep coming back

Long-term outlook

Most people recover fully from a kidney stone. Even if you need a procedure, success rates are very high. With a clear fluid and diet plan, you can lower your chance of future stones and keep your kidneys working well.

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