Kidney stones are small, hard lumps that can form inside your kidneys. They develop when certain minerals and salts in your urine stick together and create crystals. These stones can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as big as a ping-pong ball. Often, you won’t know you have one unless it moves into the ureter—the narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder—where it can cause a blockage and intense pain.
When a kidney stone moves, it can cause severe pain in your back, belly, or groin. You might also feel the need to urinate more often, experience pain during urination, or notice blood in your urine. Some people feel nauseated or even vomit. Smaller stones might pass without causing any symptoms at all.
If you suddenly experience sharp pain in your back or abdomen, it’s important to see a doctor right away. This kind of pain can be caused by other serious conditions like appendicitis or a urinary tract infection. To find out if you have a kidney stone, doctors may use tests like CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, or urine tests. Blood tests can also help detect high levels of minerals that might lead to stone formation.
If the stone is small, your doctor might suggest you take pain relievers and drink plenty of water—about 8 to 10 glasses a day—to help flush it out naturally. Stones smaller than 5 millimeters have a 90% chance of passing on their own. For stones between 5 and 10 millimeters, the chance drops to 50%. Larger stones may require medical treatment.
One treatment option is medication called alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles in your ureter to help the stone pass more easily. Side effects are usually mild and can include headaches or dizziness. Another common treatment is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), where high-energy sound waves break the stone into smaller pieces that can pass more easily. This procedure can cause some bruising or discomfort afterward.
If the stone is near the bladder, a doctor might perform a ureteroscopy. In this procedure, a thin tube is inserted through the urinary tract to reach the stone, which is then broken up and removed. This doesn’t require any cuts in your body. For very large stones, surgery might be necessary.
After a stone is removed or passed, doctors often analyze its composition. About 80% of kidney stones are made of calcium. Others are composed of uric acid, struvite, or cystine. Knowing the type of stone can help you and your doctor take steps to prevent future stones.
Kidney stones can form when there’s an imbalance in the substances found in urine. Factors like not drinking enough water, consuming a diet high in salt or animal protein, and certain medical conditions can increase your risk. Drinking too little water is the most common cause. Other risk factors include obesity, certain medications, and a family history of kidney stones. Men are more likely to develop stones than women, and the risk increases with age.
To prevent kidney stones, it’s important to stay well-hydrated by drinking enough fluids to keep your urine clear. Reducing salt and animal protein in your diet can also help. If you’ve had a calcium stone, your doctor might advise you to limit foods high in oxalate, such as chocolate, tea, beans, berries, dark leafy greens, oranges, tofu, and sweet potatoes. However, consuming moderate amounts of calcium-rich foods like dairy products can actually help prevent stones. It’s best to discuss your diet with your doctor or a dietitian to find the right balance for you.
In some cases, your doctor might recommend alkali citrate therapy, which involves taking supplements or drinking lemon juice to help prevent stones. By making these lifestyle changes and following your doctor’s advice, you can reduce your risk of developing kidney stones in the future.