Kidney Stones — Symptoms, Causes & Modern Treatment

update Last Updated: May 15, 2026
person Reviewed by Hope Hospital Nephrology Team

Quick Summary: Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they pass into the ureter. Most stones can be removed without open surgery using ESWL, ureteroscopy, RIRS or PCNL. Hope Hospital's nephrology and urology team in Nagpur offers all modern stone-removal techniques under one roof.

What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones (medically called renal calculi or nephrolithiasis) are hard, crystal-like deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They range from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball. Small stones may pass on their own through the urinary tract, but larger stones can block urine flow and cause intense pain, infection, and kidney damage if untreated.

Kidney stones are very common in India — particularly in the "stone belt" stretching across Maharashtra, MP, Gujarat and Rajasthan — due to hot climate, dehydration and dietary factors.

Types of Kidney Stones

  • Calcium oxalate stones — most common (about 70–80%)
  • Calcium phosphate stones
  • Uric acid stones — linked to gout and high-protein diets
  • Struvite (infection) stones — form during urinary tract infections, often large and "staghorn" shaped
  • Cystine stones — rare, inherited disorder

Symptoms

Small stones in the kidney often cause no symptoms. Symptoms typically appear when the stone moves into the ureter:

  • Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs (renal colic)
  • Pain radiating to the lower abdomen and groin
  • Pain in waves that fluctuates in intensity
  • Burning sensation while urinating
  • Blood in urine (pink, red or brown urine)
  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
  • Persistent urge to urinate, urinating small amounts often
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever and chills (if infection)

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Inadequate fluid intake — the #1 modifiable risk
  • High-salt, high-protein or high-sugar diet
  • Hot climate causing dehydration
  • Obesity
  • Family history of kidney stones
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Metabolic disorders (hyperparathyroidism, gout, cystinuria)
  • Certain medications (diuretics, calcium-based antacids, steroids)
  • Bowel diseases (Crohn's, chronic diarrhea)
  • Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract

Diagnosis

  • Urinalysis: Detects blood, crystals, infection
  • Blood tests: Calcium, uric acid, kidney function
  • Ultrasound (USG): First-line imaging, no radiation
  • Non-contrast CT (NCCT KUB): Most accurate, identifies stone size and location
  • X-ray KUB: Detects radiopaque stones
  • 24-hour urine test: Identifies metabolic causes (for recurrent stones)
  • Stone analysis after passage or removal — guides prevention

Treatment Options

Conservative (For Small Stones <5 mm)

  • High fluid intake (3+ litres of water daily)
  • Pain management (NSAIDs, opioids if severe)
  • Anti-emetics for nausea
  • Medical Expulsive Therapy (alpha-blockers like tamsulosin)
  • Filter urine to capture passed stone for analysis

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)

Non-invasive procedure that uses focused shock waves from outside the body to break the stone into tiny fragments that pass naturally. Best for kidney and upper ureteric stones up to 2 cm. Day-care procedure.

Ureteroscopy (URS) with Laser

A thin scope is passed through the urethra and bladder up to the stone in the ureter. The stone is fragmented with a holmium laser and removed. Highly effective for ureteric stones.

RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery)

A flexible scope reaches stones inside the kidney through the natural urinary tract. The holmium laser fragments the stone with no skin incision. Ideal for kidney stones up to 2 cm and for patients on blood thinners.

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)

A small skin incision through the back gives direct access to the kidney for very large or staghorn stones (over 2 cm). Most effective for large stone burdens.

Open / Laparoscopic Surgery

Rarely needed today — reserved for complex anatomy or failed minimally invasive procedures.

Prevention

  • Drink 2.5–3 litres of water daily — aim for pale-yellow urine
  • Reduce salt intake (under 5 g/day)
  • Limit animal protein (red meat, eggs)
  • Eat adequate calcium with meals (binds dietary oxalate)
  • Limit oxalate-rich foods (spinach, beets, nuts, chocolate) if you form oxalate stones
  • Lose excess weight
  • Avoid sugary drinks and excessive vitamin C supplements
  • Eat citrus fruits (lemon, orange) — citrate inhibits stone formation
  • Treat metabolic disorders if identified

When to See a Doctor

Seek urgent care if you have:

  • Severe, unbearable pain in the side or back
  • Pain with fever and chills (possible infection)
  • Blood in the urine
  • Unable to urinate or pass only small amounts
  • Persistent nausea and vomiting
  • Known single kidney with stone symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the early symptoms of kidney stones?
A: Severe sharp pain in the side or back, pain radiating to the abdomen and groin, blood in urine, burning urination, nausea, and frequent urge to urinate.
Q: What is the best treatment for kidney stones?
A: Depends on size and location. Small stones (<5 mm) often pass with fluids; larger stones may need ESWL, ureteroscopy with laser, RIRS, or PCNL. Hope Hospital offers all modern stone-removal techniques.
Q: How can I prevent kidney stones from recurring?
A: Drink 2.5–3 litres of water daily, reduce salt and animal protein, eat adequate calcium with meals, lose excess weight, and treat underlying metabolic disorders.
Q: Is kidney stone surgery covered under Ayushman Bharat?
A: Yes, ESWL, ureteroscopy, RIRS and PCNL are covered under Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY), MJPJAY, CGHS, ECHS and other schemes at Hope Hospital Nagpur. Cashless for eligible patients.

Expert Kidney Stone Care at Hope Hospital

Hope Hospital Nagpur — partner of NephroPlus, India's leading dialysis chain — offers comprehensive kidney stone care: ESWL lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, RIRS, and PCNL by experienced urologists, with NABH-accredited facilities and Ayushman Bharat coverage. The same team also provides dialysis and kidney transplant services.

Call 071-22980073 / +91-9823555053 or visit the kidney services page to book a consultation.