Question 1

How do I know if I have kidney stones?

Accepted Answer

Some stones cause no symptoms until they obstruct. Symptoms may include severe back or flank pain, blood in the urine, nausea, urinary discomfort, or fever. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 2

Can kidney stones pass on their own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some small stones can pass spontaneously, but severe pain, fever, vomiting, or infection requires medical evaluation. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 3

How are kidney stones removed?

Accepted Answer

Treatment depends on size, hardness, and location. Options may include medication, laser treatment, shock wave lithotripsy, or minimally invasive surgery. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 4

How much water should I drink per day?

Accepted Answer

In general, 2 to 3 liters daily may be recommended unless restricted by heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or another medical condition. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 5

Which foods increase stone risk?

Accepted Answer

Excess salt, sodas, low water intake, and some high-protein diets may increase stone risk in certain patients. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 6

When should I go to urgent care for a stone?

Accepted Answer

Go urgently for severe pain that does not improve, fever, persistent vomiting, inability to urinate, chills, or worsening general condition. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 7

What studies should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Bring ultrasound, CT scans, X-rays, lab tests, urine cultures, and prior reports related to stones, kidneys, or urinary tract issues. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 8

Can stones come back?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some patients tend to form new stones, so prevention, hydration, diet, and follow-up matter. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 9

What is a double-J stent?

Accepted Answer

It is a thin internal tube placed between the kidney and bladder to help urine drain in selected cases. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Question 10

Which symptoms are urgent with a double-J stent?

Accepted Answer

Fever, severe pain, inability to urinate, heavy bleeding, or persistent vomiting require immediate medical evaluation. During the visit, the full context, available studies, and current symptoms are reviewed to guide safe next steps, without replacing medical evaluation or promising a specific outcome.

Kidney stones

What are kidney stones?

Common symptoms

Prevention matters because stones can recur.

estimated prevalence in men and women in the U.S.

approximate 10-year recurrence if the cause is not addressed

How they are evaluated

What to bring

Options according to each case

Related procedures and pages

Kidney stone FAQs