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What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidney when urine is too concentrated. Most are made of calcium oxalate; others are uric acid, struvite (infection) or cystine stones. A stone may sit quietly in the kidney for years, or move into the ureter (the tube to the bladder) and cause sudden, severe pain.
Stones in the kidney itself are often painless and may be found by chance on an ultrasound. Pain usually starts when a stone moves into the narrow ureter and blocks the flow of urine, which makes the kidney swell.
Stones range from a grain of sand to several centimetres. Their size and location decide whether they are likely to pass and which treatment is best.
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe pain in the side or back, below the ribs, coming in waves (renal colic)
- Pain moving to the lower belly, groin or genitals
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the urine (pink, red or brown), sometimes only seen on a test
- Burning or frequent urge to pass urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine, fever and chills if infection is present
Causes and risk factors
- Not drinking enough water, especially in Delhi summers or with outdoor work
- High salt intake, and diets high in animal protein
- Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure
- Family history of stones, and previous stones
- Gout (high uric acid), some bowel diseases, repeated urinary infections
- Some medicines and supplements, such as high-dose vitamin C or calcium taken without food
When to see a doctor
A stone with fever, chills, or passing very little urine is an emergency: an infected, blocked kidney needs urgent drainage. Call 93196 62944 or come to the hospital (24×7).
- Pain not controlled by tablets, or repeated vomiting
- A single working kidney, pregnancy, or kidney disease, with any stone symptoms
- Visible blood in the urine
How stones are diagnosed at Samrijo
- Urine test for blood and infection, and a culture if needed.
- Blood tests in the in-house lab: kidney function (creatinine), blood count, calcium and uric acid.
- Ultrasound KUB to find stones and check for blockage (hydronephrosis).
- X-ray KUB and/or CT KUB (non-contrast CT), the most accurate test for size and position.
- Stone analysis after a stone passes or is removed, to guide prevention.
Treatment options
The right option depends on the size, position and hardness of the stone, your kidney function and any infection. Your doctor will explain why a particular approach suits you.
What to expect
Before
Urine test (infection must be treated first), blood tests, scan and anaesthesia check. Fast for about six hours before a procedure.
During
Most procedures take under an hour to a couple of hours, depending on the stone.
After
Some burning, frequency and pink urine are common for a few days. After URS/RIRS, many people go home within a day; after PCNL, a few days' stay is usual.
Follow-up
A scan confirms clearance; any stent is removed as planned. Stone analysis guides prevention advice.
Preventing stones
- Drink enough to pass 2.5–3 litres of urine a day. Your urine should look pale. Drink more in summer and when sweating.
- Cut down on salt: pickles, papad, namkeen, packaged foods.
- Don't cut out dietary calcium (milk, curd). Normal calcium with meals actually lowers oxalate stones.
- Limit very high-oxalate foods if advised (for example spinach in large amounts, chocolate, nuts, strong tea).
- Moderate animal protein and cold drinks (colas).
- Lemon water (citrate) may help some people. Ask your doctor.
Myths and facts
- "Tomatoes and seeds cause stones." Tomato seeds don't cause kidney stones. Low water intake and high salt matter far more.
- "If the pain stops, the stone is gone." Not always. A stone can stop moving and still block the kidney silently. Follow-up scans confirm it has passed.
- "Avoid milk and curd completely." Normal dietary calcium actually protects against the most common stones. Cutting it out can make things worse.
- "Once removed, stones never come back." Stones often recur without prevention. Water, salt control and diet advice make a real difference.
Why choose Samrijo Hospital
- 24×7 hospital for severe stone pain and infected, blocked kidneys.
- Lab and imaging in the same building for fast diagnosis.
- Clear explanation of when a stone can pass and when a procedure is better.
Cost of kidney stone treatment
Cost depends on stone size and location, the procedure chosen, stents, number of sessions, stay, tests and insurance. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
बुराड़ी में गुर्दे की पथरी का इलाज
गुर्दे की पथरी पेशाब में मौजूद खनिजों के जमने से बनती है। कम पानी पीना, ज़्यादा नमक, मोटापा और परिवार में पथरी का इतिहास इसके आम कारण हैं। दिल्ली की गर्मी में यह समस्या और बढ़ जाती है। कमर या पसलियों के नीचे अचानक तेज़, लहरों में आने वाला दर्द, जो पेट और जांघ तक जाए, पेशाब में जलन या खून, और उल्टी इसके मुख्य लक्षण हैं।
लगभग 5 मिमी से छोटी पथरी अक्सर ज़्यादा पानी और दवाइयों से निकल जाती है। बड़ी पथरी में ESWL, लेज़र (URS/RIRS) या PCNL जैसी प्रक्रियाओं की ज़रूरत पड़ सकती है; कौन-सा तरीका सही है, यह पथरी के आकार और जगह पर निर्भर करता है। बुखार, कँपकँपी या पेशाब बहुत कम आए तो यह इमरजेंसी है। रोज़ इतना पानी पिएँ कि पेशाब हल्के रंग का रहे।
सलाह के लिए कॉल करें: 93196 62944 (24×7)।
Frequently asked questions
Which kidney stones pass on their own?
Many stones smaller than about 5 mm pass naturally within a few weeks, helped by fluids and medicines. Larger stones, or stones causing infection, blockage or severe pain, often need a procedure.
Is laser treatment available for kidney stones?
Laser lithotripsy is commonly used during ureteroscopy (URS/RIRS) to break stones into fine fragments. Whether it is suitable depends on stone size, position and your anatomy.
Will I need a stent after the procedure?
A thin temporary tube (DJ stent) is often placed after ureteroscopy to keep urine flowing while swelling settles. It is usually removed after a few days to weeks in a short procedure. It can cause mild urgency or discomfort while in place.
Can stones come back?
Yes. About half of people who have had a stone may form another within some years. Drinking enough water, reducing salt, and following dietary advice based on stone analysis can lower the risk.
Is beer or special water good for kidney stones?
Beer is not a treatment and alcohol can dehydrate you. Plain water is the best drink. Lemon water (citrate) can help some people. Ask your doctor what suits your stone type.
What does kidney stone treatment cost?
It depends on stone size and location, the procedure (medicines, ESWL, URS, RIRS or PCNL), stents, stay and insurance. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
पथरी का दर्द कैसा होता है?
गुर्दे की पथरी का दर्द अक्सर अचानक, बहुत तेज़ और लहरों में आता है। यह कमर या पसलियों के नीचे से पेट और जांघ के अंदरूनी हिस्से तक जाता है। साथ में उल्टी, पेशाब में जलन या खून आ सकता है।
क्या पथरी बिना ऑपरेशन निकल सकती है?
लगभग 5 मिमी से छोटी पथरी अक्सर ज़्यादा पानी और दवाइयों से अपने आप निकल जाती है। बड़ी पथरी, संक्रमण या रुकावट में लेज़र या दूसरी प्रक्रिया की ज़रूरत पड़ सकती है।
Related treatments
This page is for general health information only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is different, so please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition and treatment. Medical disclaimer.