Kidney Stones

What is Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. These stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. They develop when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances, like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, than the fluid in your urine can dilute.

When stones stay in your kidney, they often cause no problems. But when they move into the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder, called ureters, they can cause severe pain. Most kidney stones pass on their own within 48 hours if you drink plenty of fluids. Larger stones may need medical treatment.

About 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives. Men are more likely to develop them than women. Once you have had one kidney stone, you are more likely to develop another unless you make changes to prevent them.

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Symptoms

Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
Pink, red, or brown urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Urgent need to urinate
Urinating more often than usual
Urinating small amounts
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills if an infection is present

Small kidney stones may pass through your urinary tract without causing any symptoms. You might not even know you have them until they show up on imaging tests done for another reason.

Causes and risk factors

Kidney stones form when your urine contains too much of certain substances that can create crystals. These substances include calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and phosphate. When your urine lacks enough fluid to dilute these substances, they stick together and form stones. Dehydration is one of the main risk factors. Not drinking enough water concentrates your urine and makes stone formation more likely.

Other risk factors include eating a diet high in protein, sodium, and sugar. Family history plays a role, so if someone in your family has had kidney stones, you are at higher risk. Certain medical conditions increase your risk too. These include obesity, digestive diseases, urinary tract infections, and metabolic disorders. Some medications and supplements, especially calcium supplements, can also contribute to stone formation if not taken properly.

How it's diagnosed

Doctors diagnose kidney stones through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and testing. Blood tests can reveal high levels of calcium or uric acid in your blood. Urine tests can detect crystals, measure pH levels, and check for signs of infection. These tests help identify what type of stone you have and what might be causing it.

Rite Aid offers comprehensive testing that includes urine analysis and biomarkers like calcium, uric acid, and pH levels. Our tests can help detect risk factors for kidney stone formation before symptoms appear. Imaging tests like CT scans or ultrasounds may also be needed to see the size and location of stones. Early detection through regular testing helps you take steps to prevent stones from forming.

Treatment options

Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water daily to help flush stones out
Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen for discomfort
Use prescription medications to help stones pass more easily
Reduce sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day
Limit animal protein from meat, eggs, and seafood
Eat calcium-rich foods but avoid calcium supplements unless directed by a doctor
Reduce foods high in oxalate like spinach, chocolate, and nuts if you have calcium oxalate stones
Take medications that prevent stone formation based on stone type
Consider shock wave therapy to break up larger stones
Undergo surgery or ureteroscopy for stones that cannot pass on their own

Frequently asked questions

The first sign is usually severe pain in your side, back, or lower abdomen. This pain often comes in waves and can be intense. You may also notice blood in your urine, making it pink or red. Some people experience nausea and an urgent need to urinate frequently.

Yes, many kidney stones pass on their own within 48 hours, especially smaller ones. Drinking plenty of water helps flush them out. Stones smaller than 4 millimeters pass about 80% of the time without intervention. Larger stones may require medical treatment to remove or break up.

Blood tests measure calcium and uric acid levels, which can indicate risk for certain types of stones. Urine tests are also important and check for crystals, pH levels, and signs of infection. Rite Aid offers comprehensive panels that include these biomarkers. Regular testing helps catch problems early before stones form.

Reduce sodium to less than 2,300 mg daily and limit animal protein. If you have calcium oxalate stones, reduce high-oxalate foods like spinach, rhubarb, nuts, and chocolate. Cut back on sugar and processed foods. Always talk with your doctor about your specific stone type, as dietary needs vary.

Aim for 8 to 12 glasses of water daily, enough to produce about 2 liters of urine. Your urine should be light yellow or clear. Dark urine means you need more water. Staying well hydrated is the single most important step in preventing kidney stones from forming.

Yes, kidney stones often run in families. If a parent or sibling has had stones, your risk increases significantly. Genetic factors can affect how your body processes calcium and other minerals. However, lifestyle choices like hydration and diet play a major role too.

Talk to your doctor before taking calcium supplements. Taking them incorrectly can increase stone risk, but getting calcium from food is usually safe and even protective. If you need supplements, take them with meals rather than alone. Never start or stop supplements without medical guidance.

Pain can last from a few hours to several days depending on stone size and location. The pain comes in waves as the stone moves through your urinary tract. Once the stone passes into your bladder, pain usually decreases significantly. Most small stones pass within 48 hours with proper hydration.

Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type, forming when calcium combines with oxalate in urine. Uric acid stones develop from too much acid in urine. Struvite stones form after urinary infections. Each type requires different prevention strategies, so knowing your stone type helps guide treatment.

See a doctor immediately if you have severe pain, blood in your urine, difficulty urinating, or fever with chills. Fever can signal an infection, which is serious. Also seek care if you have only one kidney or a history of kidney disease. Early treatment prevents complications.