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✚ Men’s Health, Patient Education

Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and When to Seek Help

Sudden, severe pain in your side or back is not always a “muscle strain.” Learn what kidney stones are, why they form and when you need urgent care.

📍 Al-Islam Specialist Hospital, Kuala Lumpur🕑 3 min read

Key points at a glance

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and can travel down the urinary tract.

Not drinking enough water is a common cause. Diet, family history and some medical conditions also play a part.

Many small stones pass on their own. Severe pain, fever or being unable to pass urine needs urgent attention.

Kidney stones are one of the most painful urinary problems, and they are common in adults, especially in hot climates where it is easy to become dehydrated. Knowing the warning signs helps you get treated early and lowers the chance of a stone coming back.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in the urine stick together and harden. They can be as small as a grain of sand or large enough to block the flow of urine. Small stones may pass out in the urine, but larger stones can get stuck in the ureter, the tube between the kidney and the bladder, and cause severe pain.

Small stonesOften pass on their own with fluids and pain relief
Larger stonesMay block urine flow and need a procedure

Not every pain in the back or side is a kidney stone. Muscle strain, urinary infections and other conditions can feel similar, so a doctor needs to confirm what is causing the pain.

Muscle strainUrinary tract infectionOther abdominal conditions

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

A stone that stays in the kidney may cause no symptoms. When it moves into the ureter, symptoms may include:

  • Severe pain in the side or back, below the ribs
  • Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen or groin
  • Pain or burning when passing urine
  • Pink, red or brown urine
  • Nausea or vomiting
The pain often comes in waves and can change in intensity. Cloudy or bad-smelling urine and a frequent urge to pass urine may also occur.

What causes kidney stones?

Not drinking enough fluids

When you do not drink enough, urine becomes concentrated, which makes it easier for minerals to clump together. Losing a lot of fluid through sweating in hot weather or through illness raises the risk further.

Diet

A diet high in salt, high in animal protein or rich in oxalate-containing foods may increase the risk of stones in some people. Your doctor or dietitian can advise which changes suit the type of stone you have.

Other health conditions

Being overweight, repeated urinary infections, gout, an overactive parathyroid gland and some digestive conditions are linked with a higher risk of kidney stones.

Family history and medicines

Having close relatives with kidney stones raises your chance of getting them. Some medicines and supplements can also contribute. Do not stop any prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Does drinking milk or eating calcium cause kidney stones?

Not usually. Calcium from food does not generally increase stone risk, and cutting it out may not help. High-dose calcium supplements can be a different matter, so ask your doctor before taking them or making big changes to your diet.

How are kidney stones diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your pain, medical history, diet and medicines. Depending on the findings, assessment may include:

Urine and blood testsCheck for blood or infection in the urine and how well the kidneys are working.
UltrasoundUses sound waves to look for stones and swelling of the kidney, without radiation.
CT scan or X-rayShows the size and position of the stone and helps decide on treatment.
Treatment depends on the size and position of the stone, and on whether it is causing blockage or infection.

When to seek help

Fever with chills, severe pain that will not settle, repeated vomiting, or being unable to pass urine require urgent medical attention.

Blood in the urine or repeated side or back pain should be assessed rather than ignored.

Frequently asked questions

Can kidney stones be treated without surgery?

Often, yes. Small stones may pass on their own with plenty of fluids and pain relief. Larger stones may need a procedure such as shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy or keyhole surgery. Your doctor will explain which option suits you.

How can I lower my chance of getting another stone?

Drinking enough water through the day is the main step. Your doctor may also advise changes to your diet, treatment of related conditions, or tests to find out what type of stone you had.

Concerned about side or back pain?

Al-Islam Specialist Hospital in Kuala Lumpur provides consultations for urinary and kidney problems. A clinical assessment can help identify the cause of your pain and guide an appropriate treatment plan.

Explore Urology Services

For appointment enquiries: upp@al-islamhospital.com.my  |  WhatsApp +60 19-310 7889

Medical references

  1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Kidney Stones
  2. NHS: Kidney stones
  3. NIDDK: Diagnosis of Kidney Stones
  4. NIDDK: Treatment for Kidney Stones
  5. American Urological Association: Surgical Management of Stones guideline
Medical information notice: This article is intended for general patient education only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Treatment and testing should be individualised by your clinician.