Kidney stones: causes, symptoms and treatment

Having a kidney stone can be a painful experience and impact your daily life. Our urologists at Advocate Health Care help get you the right treatment.

Kidney stones are solid masses of waste that accumulate and form in one or both kidneys. They can be as small as a dust particle or as big as a golf ball. You may have a kidney stone and not even know you have one. However, they usually don’t cause permanent damage if caught early.

Some kidney stones can travel through the ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder) and into the bladder, where the stone can be passed through urine without any issues. Sometimes, the kidney stone gets lodged in the ureter, blocks urine flow and causes severe pain.

Causes of kidney stones

Your kidneys are a filtering system for your body that removes excess chemicals and waste from your blood. Kidney stones develop in the kidneys from the buildup of these substances. The type of stone depends on what substances have accumulated. The substances that can accumulate include:

• Calcium
• Oxalate
• Uric acid
• Phosphate
• Cystine
• Xanthine

Common causes of kidney stones include:

• Not drinking enough water
• A family history of kidney stones
• A diet high in animal protein, salt and sugar
• Some medications, such as diuretics, calcium-based antacids and certain antibiotics
• Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and hypercalciuria (high calcium levels in urine)

Types of kidney stones

When substances accumulate in the kidneys, they can form one of five types of kidney stones:

• Calcium oxalate stones: These are the most common type of kidney stone. They form when the kidneys have elevated levels of calcium, uric acid or oxalate (a chemical found in plants and animals).
• Calcium phosphate stones: Calcium phosphate kidney stones are caused by an abnormally functioning urinary tract and often form at the same time as calcium oxalate stones.
• Uric acid stones: Uric acid stones are more common in men and in people who eat a diet high in animal protein or don’t drink enough water.
• Struvite stones: These types of stones are more common in women and form from frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Cystine stones: This rare type of stone is caused by a genetic disorder that leads to excessive levels of the amino acid cystine in the urine.

Symptoms of kidney stones

Some people never know they have kidney stones, while others can experience excruciating pain that comes in waves. Kidney stones symptoms include:

• Pain in the stomach, side or back
• Pain in your groin area
• Chills
• Fever
• Blood in urine (hematuria)
• Abnormal color of urine
• Nausea and vomiting

If you’re experiencing any kidney stone symptoms, contact your doctor to schedule an appointment. Seek emergency care If your symptoms are severe or you are vomiting.

How common are kidney stones?

One in 10 people get a kidney stone once in their lifetime. Kidney stones are more common in men in their 30s and 40s, yet anyone can develop them. Children are less likely to develop kidney stones than adults.

Diagnosis of kidney stones

Your Advocate urologist will perform a physical examination, review your symptoms and take a urine sample to test for crystals and red blood cells in your urine. Your urology specialist may also order blood tests to test kidney function and levels of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid and electrolytes. You may also have an X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound to help your urologist see the shape, size and location of your kidney stones.

Kidney stone treatment

Once you’re diagnosed with a kidney stone, your doctor will determine the next steps in your treatment plan. You may not need treatment if you have smaller kidney stones that may pass on their own.

Your doctor will recommend drinking plenty of water to help move the kidney stone into the bladder and taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage pain.

How long does it take a kidney stone to pass?

How long it takes for a kidney stone to pass through the urinary tract depends on how big it is. A smaller stone may pass within a couple of weeks. A larger kidney stone could take up to three weeks to reach the bladder. Once in the bladder, the kidney stone passes in a few days.

Other kidney stone treatments

Larger kidney stones that block your urinary tract or cause pain, kidney damage or bleeding may require additional treatment, including kidney stone surgery.

When you see an Advocate urologist, they'll offer the latest technology treatments in urology, including minimally invasive robotic surgery. Some procedures your urologist may recommend for treating kidney stones include:

• Shockwave lithotripsy: High energy shockwaves are used to break apart the stones, making them easier to pass through your urinary system.
• Ureteroscopy: A small tube is inserted into your urethra, through the bladder and into the ureter. The tube includes a laser that breaks up your kidney stones so they can pass through the urinary system.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: If your kidney stones are too large or there are too many stones, your doctor may consider percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Your doctor inserts a tube through a small incision and removes the stones through suction.

Learn more about our treatment options.

Kidney stone prevention

Kidney stones can be painful. About one half of the people who had one kidney stone will have another one unless they take measures to prevent kidney stones, such as drinking plenty of water. Here are some other kidney stone diet tips that could prevent them from forming:

• Eat calcium-rich foods: Calcium-rich foods include dairy foods, leafy green vegetables, fish and fruit juices.
• Reduce sodium: Foods high in sodium include processed meats, condiments, and instant foods, such as instant rice and noodles.
• Limit animal protein: Eating too much red meat, poultry, seafood and eggs can cause kidney stones to form.
• Avoid foods that are high in oxalate: Tea, beans, beets, chocolate and spinach are high in oxalate.