Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stones are common and painful — but with the right evaluation and habits, most are treatable and many are preventable. Repeated stones deserve proper work-up.
Medically reviewed by the RIIMS nephrology team · Last updated: June 2026
When does a kidney stone need treatment?
Not every kidney stone harms the kidney — a stone becomes a real problem when it recurs, blocks the flow of urine, triggers infection, or is ignored for a long time. Small stones often pass on their own with hydration and time; larger or stuck stones, or those causing obstruction (which can silently injure the kidney as hydronephrosis), may need a procedure. The right first step is a proper evaluation — urine tests and an ultrasound KUB when advised — to judge the stone by its location, size and impact, not size alone, and then a hydration and stone-type-specific diet to break the repeat cycle.
Symptoms to watch for
- Severe flank or lower-abdomen pain
- Blood in the urine
- Nausea or vomiting with the pain
- Difficulty passing urine
- Fever with urinary symptoms — needs prompt care
- Repeated stone episodes
When to consult a kidney doctor
Severe pain, fever with urinary symptoms, blood in urine, near-complete stoppage of urine, or a second stone episode all deserve timely evaluation.