Kidney stones are common in Delhi, where hot summers and too little water make urine concentrated. The pain can be severe, but most stones can be treated without open surgery. Here is how to recognise a stone, when to rush to hospital, and what to expect.
How does kidney stone pain feel?
Stone pain usually starts suddenly in the side or the back, below the ribs, and may move towards the lower abdomen or groin as the stone travels down the ureter. It typically comes in waves and makes it hard to sit still.
- Nausea or vomiting with the pain
- Burning while passing urine, or needing to pass urine often
- Pink, red or brown urine
- Some stones cause no pain at all and are found on a routine ultrasound
When is it an emergency?
Come to hospital immediately if stone pain comes with fever or shivering, if you cannot pass urine, if you have only one working kidney, or if the pain cannot be controlled with medicines. A blocked, infected kidney needs urgent treatment. 7 Star Healthcare is open 24 hours.
Which tests are needed?
- Ultrasound of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (KUB) — usually the first test; it shows most stones and any swelling of the kidney.
- X-ray KUB — shows many stone types and helps follow them over time.
- Urine and blood tests — to check for infection and kidney function.
- CT scan — when the stone's exact size and position are needed for planning treatment; arranged through a partner imaging centre.
How are stones treated?
The choice depends on the stone's size, position and hardness, and on your symptoms. The urologist explains the options, with their benefits and risks, so you can decide.
- Medicines and fluids — many stones smaller than about 5 mm pass on their own.
- ESWL (shock wave lithotripsy) — shock waves from outside the body break suitable kidney stones into fragments that then pass in the urine.
- URS (ureteroscopy) — a thin scope passed through the urinary passage reaches a stone in the ureter, which is broken with a laser.
- RIRS (retrograde intrarenal surgery) — a flexible scope reaches stones inside the kidney through the natural passage, without a cut.
- PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) — for large kidney stones, removed through a small opening in the back.
Preventing the next stone
About half of people who have had one stone will form another within some years. Drinking enough water to pass pale urine through the day is the single most useful habit. Depending on the stone type, your urologist may also advise diet changes and further tests.
Common questions
Can a kidney stone come out on its own?
Many small stones do, usually within a few weeks, helped by fluids and medicines. Larger stones, or stones causing infection or blockage, need treatment.
Which doctor should I see for kidney stones?
A urologist. At 7 Star Healthcare, urologist Dr. Danish Hushain sees patients Monday to Saturday, 8 PM to 10 PM, with ultrasound and X-ray in the same building.
At 7 Star Healthcare, Okhla
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please consult a doctor about your own health.