How is kidney stones treated?

A clinician considers the stone's size and location, your pain, urine flow, kidney function and signs of infection. A GP consultation can start this assessment. An abdominal ultrasound may help look for a stone or blockage, although further assessment may be needed when the picture is unclear.

Small stones may pass through the urinary tract with prescribed pain relief and an appropriate fluid plan. Do not force large amounts of fluid if you are vomiting, have kidney or heart problems, or have been told to restrict fluids. Stones that remain stuck, cause ongoing obstruction or cannot be managed with medicine may need a specialist procedure to break up or remove them.

Follow the recommended pain-relief dose and keep a record of pain, urine output and any visible blood in urine. Drink normally unless a clinician has advised otherwise, and seek advice if vomiting makes this difficult. Avoid assuming that abdominal pain, flank pain or painful urination is a stone without assessment, because infection and other problems can cause similar symptoms.

After a stone passes, ask whether it should be collected for analysis and whether changes to hydration or diet could reduce future risk. A review is useful when stones recur or symptoms do not settle.

Get urgent help for severe or worsening pain, fever or chills with stone symptoms, repeated vomiting, difficulty passing urine, faintness or feeling very unwell. A blocked urinary system with infection can become dangerous and needs prompt treatment. Blood in urine also deserves medical assessment, especially when it is new or persistent.

Ask where the stone is, whether urine flow is blocked, which pain medicine is safe, what imaging is needed and what should trigger emergency care.