From symptoms to solutions: How to recognize and treat kidney stones
How to recognize and treat kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard, solid deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys, affecting millions of adults each year.
These painful structures develop when urine becomes overly concentrated, allowing substances like calcium, oxalate, uric acid and cystine to crystallize. Over time, these tiny crystals bind together to create stones that range in size from tiny sand grains to larger, obstructive masses.
While smaller stones can pass through the urinary tract completely unnoticed, larger deposits can trap urine and cause physical discomfort and health complications if left untreated.
Causes and underlying factors
The underlying cause of kidney stones is often a combination of lifestyle, diet and genetics. Chronic dehydration is a primary trigger, as inadequate fluid intake decreases urine volume and prevents minerals from dissolving naturally. Diets high in sodium, protein, refined sugars and oxalate-rich foods further increase concentration levels. Additionally, metabolic disorders, digestive surgeries like gastric bypass, family history, obesity and prolonged use of certain medications can elevate an individual’s risk of recurring stone formation.
Recognizing key symptoms
A kidney stone typically remains painless until it shifts within the kidney or travels into the ureter — the narrow tube linking the kidney to the bladder. Once movement occurs or the flow of urine becomes blocked, symptoms can escalate with rapid intensity:
Sharp, severe pain concentrated in the back, side and lower abdomen beneath the ribs.
Pain that radiates toward the groin and fluctuates in intense waves.
Burning or persistent discomfort during urination.
A constant, urgent need to pass urine, often producing only tiny amounts at a time.
Nausea, vomiting and fever or chills if an infection develops.
“It’s important to seek out medical help when severe flank pain is accompanied by fever, chills or nausea or decreased urination,” said John Banerji, MD, a urologist with Penn Highlands Urology. “These combined symptoms can often signal a urinary tract blockage or an infection that requires clinical intervention to protect kidney function.”
Diagnostic and treatment options
Treating kidney stones depends heavily on their overall size, composition and location within the urinary tract. Small stones are typically managed using conservative approaches, such as increased fluid consumption, targeted pain relief and alpha-blocker medications like Flomax (Tamsulosin) that relax ureter muscles to accelerate natural passage.
When dealing with larger, stubborn deposits that cause severe pain or obstruct urine flow, non-invasive and minimally invasive interventions become necessary. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy utilizes focused sound waves to shatter stones into small fragments that pass naturally. Alternatively, Urologists may perform a ureteroscopy, which involves inserting a thin, lighted instrument to physically retrieve or laser-fragment the stone.
“Advances in modern urological procedures allow us to safely break down and remove stones with minimal recovery time,” said Dr. Banerji. “These treatments can provide effective relief while helping patients return to their normal routines as quickly as possible.”
Penn Highlands Healthcare offers comprehensive urological services to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract, including kidney stones. The team of urology specialists uses advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options to develop individualized care plans based on each patient’s condition, symptoms and overall health.
For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/urology.