Kidney stones can be painful and increase your risk for infections. Our urology experts offer the latest minimally invasive treatments. We also help lower your risk of developing more kidney stones.
Medically reviewed by Marc Dall'Era, M.D. on Nov. 13, 2023.
Experts at the UC Davis Health Department of Urologic Surgery provide complete care for kidney stones. If you develop kidney stones, our endourologists specialize in minimally invasive procedures. We also offer treatments to prevent kidney stones from forming.
Kidney stones are crystals of minerals and salt that form in urine in one or both kidneys. They’re also called renal stones. Renal is the medical term for kidneys.
Some kidney stones are the size of a grain of sand and don’t cause problems. These stones may stay in your kidney or painlessly leave your body when you urinate.
Larger stones can get stuck in your ureter, the tube that connects your kidney and bladder. These stones can block urine flow, causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain and other problems. Large kidney stones, as well as multiple small stones, often require treatment.
Types of kidney stones vary, depending on the main mineral:
Small kidney stones don’t always cause symptoms. You might not know you have a kidney stone until it gets bigger or moves into your ureter, causing a blockage.
Signs of kidney stones include:
In rare instances, an untreated UTI from a kidney stone blockage can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Seek immediate care if you experience:
Kidney stones form from higher-than-usual amounts of minerals and salt in your urine. Several factors can lead to kidney stones.
When you don’t drink enough fluids, your body can’t make enough urine to dissolve salts and flush minerals from your kidneys.
Too much salt (sodium) in your diet can interfere with calcium absorption, leading to calcium stones. The amount of calcium you have in your diet doesn’t cause calcium stones.
Anyone can develop kidney stones. These factors increase your risk.
Males are almost twice as likely to develop kidney stones as females.
Excess weight or obesity can change acid levels in your urine, causing stones to form.
Kidney stones often run in families. Your risk is higher if a parent or sibling has had kidney stones.
Certain kidney diseases, thyroid disorders and digestive disorders can increase your risk.
Diuretics, antacids and medications for seizures (epilepsy) and HIV can cause stones to form. You’re also more at risk if you’ve had gastrointestinal surgery.
Our providers quickly diagnose kidney stones using these tests:
Treatment depends on the kidney stone size, type, amount and location. When appropriate, our endourologists use minimally invasive procedures to treat kidney stones. They use tiny cameras and flexible tubes (scopes) to guide the procedure.
For small stones, your provider may recommend pain medication and drinking more fluids to help pass the stone. You may use a special container to catch the stone. A lab examines it to determine the mineral type.
Your provider sends a series of high-energy shock waves through your skin. The shock waves break large stones into smaller pieces, which are easier to pass when you urinate.
Your provider inserts a long, thin scope through your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) and into your bladder and ureter. They remove the stone or use a laser to break it into smaller pieces. You receive anesthesia and are asleep during the procedure.
Your provider makes a small incision in your back to insert a scope directly into your kidney. They may remove kidney stones or use a laser to break them into smaller pieces. This procedure takes place while you’re under anesthesia.
Knowing the type of kidney stones you get can help you make changes to prevent future ones. But these steps may also help.
Drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids is one of the best ways to help your kidneys flush out the minerals that form stones. Most experts recommend drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids a day unless you have kidney disease.
Antibiotics can prevent struvite stones. Your provider may recommend taking potassium citrate to prevent calcium and uric acid stones.
Depending on the type of kidney stone, you may need to cut back on sodium, shellfish and certain meats. You may also need to eat less nuts, spinach and other foods that contain a compound called oxalate. Your provider can recommend specific diet advice for you.
"What are kidney stones?" Urology Care Foundation, https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/k/kidney-stones
"Definition & Facts for Kidney Stones," National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/definition-facts
"Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Kidney Stones," NIDDKD, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/eating-diet-nutrition
1 in 10People will have a kidney stone during their lifetime
500KPeople seek emergency care for kidney stones
Source: National Kidney Foundation: Kidney Stones
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