Does a GP consultation treat kidney stones?

Kidney stones can cause severe pain in the side or back that may move towards the groin, nausea, vomiting or blood in the urine. A GP will ask about the pain, urine symptoms, fever, previous stones and your medicines. They may arrange urine and blood tests or imaging, and consider whether the stone can pass without a procedure.

Initial treatment may include suitable pain relief, fluids when safe, and medicine intended to help passage in selected cases. A stone that is too large, causes a blockage, or does not pass may need a urology assessment and a procedure to remove or break it.

Contact a GP promptly for new severe flank pain, blood in the urine or repeated urinary symptoms. Bring a list of medicines and mention pregnancy, kidney disease or previous stones. Drink normally unless a clinician has advised otherwise; forcing large amounts of fluid during severe pain can make you feel worse. Follow any testing or follow-up plan.

Seek urgent care for severe pain with fever or chills, vomiting that prevents fluids, difficulty passing urine, faintness, or feeling acutely unwell. A blocked urinary system with infection can become serious and needs rapid assessment, particularly if you have one functioning kidney or known kidney problems.

Ask whether your symptoms need imaging, how to use pain relief safely, what changes should bring you back urgently, and whether a urology referral is appropriate. If a stone passes, ask whether it should be collected for examination.