Symptoms
- Sudden severe pain in the back or side
- Pain moving down towards the groin
- Blood in urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent, urgent or burning urination
- Fever and chills if infected
Causes and risk factors
- Not drinking enough water
- High salt and animal protein intake
- High oxalate foods in excess
- Family history
- Certain medicines and metabolic disorders
Diagnosis
- Ultrasound KUB
- Non-contrast CT (NCCT KUB)
- Urine routine and culture
- Serum creatinine, calcium and uric acid
Treatment
- Fluids and pain relief for small stones
- Medical expulsive therapy
- RIRS or URSL with laser
- PCNL or Mini PCNL for large stones
- ESWL in selected cases
Prevention
- Drink 3 to 3.5 litres of fluid daily
- Reduce salt to under 5 g a day
- Include citrus fruits such as lemon
- Do not stop dairy — take calcium with meals
- Repeat ultrasound once a year if you have had a stone
Recovery
Small stones usually pass in one to three weeks. After laser surgery most people resume desk work within two to five days, with a stent removed at one to three weeks.
Information on this website is for patient education only and does not replace an in-person consultation. Treatment results vary between individuals and no outcome is guaranteed.