Kidney Stones

Overview

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form inside the kidney from minerals in the urine. They vary in size — some are tiny and pass unnoticed, while larger stones can cause significant pain or block the flow of urine.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

• severe, cramping pain in the side or back (renal colic);
• blood in the urine;
• nausea or vomiting;
• a frequent urge to pass urine, or signs of a urine infection.

How it is diagnosed

Kidney stones are usually diagnosed with a CT scan or ultrasound, alongside urine and blood tests to check kidney function and look for infection.

Treatment

Many small stones pass naturally with good hydration and pain relief. Larger or persistent stones — or stones causing a blockage or infection — may need a procedure to remove them or break them up. Any underlying blockage is also addressed to protect the kidney.

Common questions