Kidney Stones: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Kidney Stones?

Many waste chemicals are dissolved in the urine. The chemicals sometimes form tiny crystals in the urine which clump together to form a small stone. Kidney stones are quite common and usually affect people aged 30-60 years of age. They affect men more than women.
Types of kidney stones include calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones, cystine stones, in various sizes and shapes.
Kidney stones

Recovery Time

  • If the size of stones is small, they will pass out in a day or 2 by proper care.
  • Recovery times vary depending upon treatment.
  • Time varies from 3 days to 6 weeks.


  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • CT scan
  • Ultrasound scan
  • X-ray

FAQs prepared by doctor

Q1.  What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are caused due to the solidification of the renal concentrate in the kidneys. There are different types of stone which form in the kidneys depending upon the type of toxic waste. Calcium stones are the commonest and are radio opaque (Can be seen on X-ray, CT scan).

Q2.  How do I know I have kidney stones?
Kidney stones are painless in nature unless they slip into the ureter blocking the flow of urine. This causes sudden onset of severe pain in the loin which radiates to groin. A CT scan will provide the exact size and the location of the stone.

Q3.  What is the treatment of kidney stones?  
The treatment of kidney stone depends upon the size and the location of the stone. Stones in the kidney are painless and if they are large, lithotripsy (ESWL) is used to break the stones.
Stones which slip into the ureter are associated with severe pain, after confirming the size and location it is managed with pain relief medication. Stones up to 1 cm may pass out spontaneously, but if they are more than 1 cm they have to be removed surgically.

Q4.  What are the chances of recurrence?
Recurrence rates are high if proper preventive measures are not followed.

Q5.  What are the complications of kidney stones?  
Small unilateral stones usually pass out within 2-3days spontaneously. But if the stones are bilateral or if there is any associated infection, expert consultation will be needed to prevent kidney damage.

Q6.  How do I prevent Kidney stones?
You can prevent Kidney stones by keeping the urine diluted and drinking at least 2 litres of water per day. Certain medication can also be taken to dissolve small kidney stones.

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