Woman with kidney stone pain

GET RELIEF FROM KIDNEY STONES

Do I have kidney stones?

Explore common signs and symptoms of kidney stones.

What can I do?

See treatment options and when to visit an emergency room.

FIND A SPECIALIST NEARBY

Find doctors and urologists in your area and get help fast.

Kidney Stone Symptoms

Man with kidney stone pain

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys or urinary tract and cause more painful symptoms as they pass through.

What causes kidney stones?

What do they feel like?

Kidney stones can have a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Pain in your side, back or lower abdomen
  • Burning sensation or pain during urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea and vomiting

If you have intense or unbearable pain, blood in your urine, vomiting or a fever, you should seek immediate medical help.

When should I go to an ER?

Treatment Options

Illustration of water bottle

Increase Fluids

Drinking plenty of water and other fluids is the most effective way to reduce risks and can help to flush out minerals that cause stones from your urinary tract.

Illustration of prescription for kidney stone medication

Medications

Certain prescription medications, including alpha-blockers and calcium channel blockers, can help to dissolve or break up kidney stones, making them easier to pass.

Illustration of medication for kidney stones

Pain Relief

Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to manage the pain caused by kidney stones.

Illustration of uteroscopy procedure to treat kidney stones

Ureteroscopy

A common minimally invasive procedure where a doctor uses a tiny camera tube to see and break up kidney stones, helping them to pass out of the body more easily.

Illustration of scalpel for kidney stone surgery

Surgery

In some cases, kidney stones must be removed surgically, although most physicians will attempt less invasive methods to locate and remove stones.

Illustration of shock-wave therapy for kidney stones

Shock Wave Therapy

A common noninvasive treatment uses high-pressure shock waves rather than surgery to break up and dissolve stones. It usually takes less than an hour with mild sedation.

ALWAYS TALK TO A DOCTOR

IF YOU SUSPECT KIDNEY STONES

Don't wait to treat your kidney stones

Get referred to a doctor now!

Are you currently in pain?

Have you been diagnosed with kidney stones?

Are you currently in an ER?

Would you like to be referred to a specialist near you?

Enter your zip code belowat right to find select doctors near you that specialize in kidney stones where you can make an appointment. If you have these symptoms, it is advised to seek immediate help.

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Find a
kidney stone
specialist
near you

image of kidney stone specialist

See all the doctors and urologists near you that can treat your kidney stones.

Check these signs to see if you should visit an emergency room first.

Kidney stone facts

twelce percent 12%

Worldwide, kidney
stones affect up to
12% of people.

man drinking water

Drinking plenty of fluids
is the most effective way
to avoid kidney stones.

Image of a man 2X

Men are nearly twice
as likely
as women to
have kidney stones.

Older man with kidney stone pain

Kidney stone risk
increases with age
and weight gain.

About Kidney Stones

anatomical view of kidney

What causes kidney stones?

Usually, your kidneys remove waste from your blood to make urine. When there is too much waste in your blood and your body is not producing enough urine, crystals begin to form in your kidneys. These crystals attract other wastes and chemicals to form a solid object (a kidney stone) that will get larger unless it is passed out of your body in your urine. Learn more

Kidney stone patient consulting with doctor

When should you go to the ER?

You should go to the hospital or seek medical attention for these kidney stone symptoms:

  • A sharp pain in the side, back or lower abdomen
  • Pain when urinating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever or chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Experiencing immense pain, becoming unbearable

Don't wait to treat your kidney stones

Getting medical attention is important. To treat and relieve your pain,
use our doctor finder to get connected with a specialist near you.