Quick answer
What is kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard lumps that can form in the kidneys from waste products in the blood. Small stones may pass on their own with pain relief and plenty of fluids, but larger ones can cause severe pain and may need treatment. Staying well hydrated helps prevent them.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard lumps that can form inside the kidneys when waste products in the blood build up and crystallise. They vary in size, from tiny specks to larger stones. Small ones often pass out of the body unnoticed, but larger stones can become stuck and cause significant pain.
Symptoms
A kidney stone may cause:
- severe pain in the side or back, often coming in waves
- pain spreading to the lower tummy or groin
- feeling sick or being sick
- needing to pee more often, or pain when peeing
- blood in the urine
Some stones cause no symptoms at all and are found by chance.
What causes them
Stones form more easily if you do not drink enough fluid, so your urine becomes concentrated. Diet, being overweight, certain medical conditions and medicines, and a family history can all increase the risk.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and position of the stone. Small stones usually pass on their own — drinking plenty of fluids and taking pain relief helps. Larger stones, or those causing blockage or infection, may need a procedure to break them up or remove them, which a specialist will arrange.
Preventing future stones
The single most effective step is staying well hydrated so your urine is pale. If you have had a stone, a doctor may give specific dietary advice based on what the stone was made of, to reduce the chance of more forming.
When it is urgent
Severe pain, pain with a high temperature or shivering, blood in the urine, being unable to pass urine, or vomiting with the pain all need prompt medical attention, as a stone may be causing a blockage or infection.
Common questions
- What does a kidney stone feel like?
- A stone often causes severe pain that comes in waves, usually in the side or back, and may spread to the lower tummy or groin. It can come with feeling sick, needing to pee more often, or blood in the urine. Some small stones cause no symptoms.
- What causes kidney stones?
- They form when waste products in the blood build up and crystallise in the kidneys. Not drinking enough fluid is a key factor, along with diet, being overweight, some medical conditions and a family history.
- How are kidney stones treated?
- Small stones often pass naturally with plenty of fluids and pain relief. Larger stones, or those causing problems, may need a procedure to break them up or remove them. A doctor will advise based on the size and position of the stone.
- How can I prevent kidney stones?
- The most important step is drinking plenty of fluids so your urine stays pale. Depending on the type of stone, a doctor may give dietary advice — for example on salt or certain foods — to reduce the chance of them returning.