What should you know about kidney stones?

A stone may stay in the kidney or travel into the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. Movement can trigger severe, cramping flank or abdominal pain that comes in waves. Painful urination, nausea, vomiting, or blood-coloured urine can also occur. Difficulty passing urine may signal that flow is being obstructed and needs medical attention.

Dehydration can make urine more concentrated, but stones have different possible compositions and contributing factors. Symptoms can overlap with infection or other abdominal and urinary problems, so pain alone cannot identify the cause.

Arrange a GP Consultation for new, severe, recurrent, or unexplained flank or abdominal pain, especially when urinary symptoms or vomiting are present. A clinician may ask about the pain pattern, urine changes, previous stones, fluid intake, medicines, and medical history, then decide whether urine tests, blood tests, or imaging are appropriate.

While arranging care, take fluids in small amounts if you can keep them down, and follow advice from a clinician or pharmacist about pain relief. Do not force large amounts of fluid during severe pain or vomiting. If a stone is passed, keeping it in a clean container may help with later assessment.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening pain, fever or chills, repeated vomiting, faintness, new confusion, or difficulty passing urine. Pain with fever can indicate infection behind an obstruction and should not be managed at home. Seek immediate help if you feel seriously unwell or cannot keep fluids down.

Ask: Could this pain have another cause? Do I need an Abdominal Ultrasound or another test? How should I manage pain and fluids? What symptoms mean I should return urgently? If a stone is confirmed, can its type or likely cause be assessed, and how can future stones be reduced?