questions to ask before kidney stone

Overview

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can cause sudden, severe pain and other symptoms. Most are small enough to pass on their own, but some need medical help.

Yes, kidney stones are very common. They affect people of all ages, but are most frequent in adults between 30 and 60 years old.

Anyone can get a kidney stone, but they are more common in men, people with a family history of stones, those who are overweight, and people who do not drink enough water.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Sharp, severe pain in your side or back, just below the ribs
• Pain that comes in waves and moves to the lower belly or groin
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pink, red, or brown urine (blood in urine)
• Nausea and vomiting

Symptoms in children

• Children may not be able to describe the pain clearly. They might cry, hold their stomach, or have trouble sitting still.

Symptoms in older adults

• In older adults, the pain may be less severe. Instead, they might have confusion, fever, or a general feeling of being unwell.

Causes

Main causes

• Not drinking enough water – urine becomes too concentrated, allowing minerals to clump together
• A diet high in salt, sugar, or certain proteins
• Certain medical conditions that increase minerals in the urine

Risk factors

• Family history of kidney stones
• Being overweight or obese
• Certain medications (talk to your doctor about your medicines)
• Medical conditions like gout, hyperparathyroidism, or recurrent urinary tract infections

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have severe pain that does not go away
• If you have a fever, chills, or vomiting
• If you cannot pass urine or see blood in your urine

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have mild discomfort and think you might have a stone, see your general practitioner for evaluation and advice.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, do a physical exam, and order tests to confirm you have a kidney stone and to find out where it is.

Tests that may be done

• Urine tests to check for blood or signs of infection
• Blood tests to look for high mineral levels
• Imaging tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound to see the stone

What to expect at your appointment

You may be asked to drink extra fluids and collect a urine sample. Imaging is painless and takes only a few minutes. The results will help your doctor decide if you need treatment or can let the stone pass naturally.

Treatment

Most small stones pass on their own with home care. For larger stones that cause symptoms, doctors may recommend treatments to help break them up or remove them.

Self-care at home

• Drink 2 to 3 litres of water each day to help flush the stone out
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed (talk to your pharmacist or doctor about which one is safe for you)
• Use a heating pad on the painful area

Medical treatments

If the stone is too large to pass, your doctor may prescribe medication to help relax the urinary tract and make it easier for the stone to pass. Other treatments use sound waves or laser energy to break the stone into smaller pieces. These procedures are done in a hospital and do not require large cuts.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for kidney stones. It may be considered if the stone is very large, blocks urine flow, or causes an infection that does not improve with other treatments.

Living with this condition

If you have had a kidney stone, your doctor will likely recommend drinking plenty of water every day. You may need to collect your urine in a strainer to catch the stone when it passes. Follow your doctor’s advice about any follow-up appointments.

Lifestyle tips

• Drink enough water so your urine is light yellow
• Limit foods high in salt, like processed snacks and canned soups
• Avoid very high doses of vitamin C supplements – they can increase the risk of stones

Diet and exercise

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting salt and animal protein, can help prevent new stones. Gentle exercise is fine, but avoid heavy lifting if you have an active stone.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Living with kidney stones can be stressful, especially if you have repeated episodes. It is normal to feel anxious about the pain or the risk of recurrence. Talk to your doctor or a counsellor if you feel overwhelmed.

Prevention

In many cases, yes. Drinking enough water is the most important step. Depending on the type of stone you had, your doctor may suggest dietary changes or medication to prevent new stones from forming.

Complications

If left untreated

• A stone that blocks the urine flow can cause severe pain and damage the kidney
• Infection of the kidney can occur and may spread to the bloodstream (sepsis) if not treated promptly

Long-term outlook

With proper care, most kidney stones pass without lasting harm. Even if you need a procedure, the outlook is excellent. By making lifestyle changes, many people are able to prevent new stones and live healthy lives.

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