Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Kidney Stones?
A primary care doctor can start the evaluation of kidney stones. A urologist, a doctor who treats the urinary tract, can treat pain, remove stones, and help prevent more. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like pieces that form in one or both kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are in your urine. Health care professionals also call it nephrolithiasis. Stones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pea. They may be smooth or jagged and are usually yellow or brown. A small stone may pass through your urinary tract on its own, causing little or no pain. A larger stone may get stuck and block the flow of urine, which can cause severe pain or bleeding.
Symptoms
Signs of kidney stones that need a doctor's help include:
- Extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away.
- Blood in your urine.
- Fever and chills.
- Vomiting.
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
- A burning feeling when you urinate.
Causes and who gets it
Kidney stones form when high levels of certain minerals are in your urine. There are four main types: calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones. Calcium stones are the most common type. Struvite stones may form after a urinary tract infection (UTI). Cystine stones come from cystinuria, a disorder passed down through families.
Men are more likely to get kidney stones than women. You are also more likely to get them if you have a family history of stones or have had one before. Not drinking enough liquids can raise your chance too. Some health problems raise the risk, including gout, obesity, and repeated UTIs. Long-term use of some medicines, such as water pills or calcium-based antacids, can also raise the risk.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will diagnose a kidney stone with urine, blood, and imaging tests. After you pass or have a stone removed, a lab can find out what type it is. You may also be asked to collect your urine for 24 hours. This shows how much urine you make in a day and the mineral levels in it.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size of the stone, where it is, and what type it is. Small stones may pass without treatment. Your doctor may advise you to drink plenty of liquids and may prescribe pain medicine. Larger stones, stones that block your urinary tract, or stones that cause great pain may need urgent treatment. If you are vomiting and dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital for fluids through an IV.
A urologist can remove a stone or break it into small pieces. Shock wave lithotripsy uses shock waves to break the stone into small pieces that then pass through your urinary tract. Ureteroscopy uses a scope passed through the urethra to find the stone and remove it or break it up. You can typically go home the same day. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy uses a thin viewing tool placed through a small cut in your back. You may stay in the hospital for several days.
To help prevent new stones, drinking enough liquids each day is the best way for most types. Knowing your stone type helps your doctor plan changes to your eating and drinking.
When to see a doctor
If you have symptoms of kidney stones, including severe pain or bleeding, seek care right away. Fever and chills with kidney stone symptoms are also signs that you need a doctor's help. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you faint, have trouble breathing, or have a sudden change in mental state, such as confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can review your symptoms, order urine or blood tests, and refer you to a urologist when you need a stone removed.
Common questions
Can kidney stones pass on their own?
Yes, small kidney stones often can. A larger stone may get stuck and block the flow of urine. A stone that will not pass may need treatment.
What does a kidney stone feel like?
A kidney stone can cause extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away. You may also have blood in your urine, vomiting, or a burning feeling when you urinate. Seek care right away if you have severe pain or bleeding.
Can kidney stones be prevented?
Often, yes, in part, because drinking enough liquids helps prevent most types. Drinking enough liquids keeps your urine diluted and helps flush away minerals that might form stones. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to prevent future stones.
Are kidney stones common?
Yes, they are common. About 11 percent of men and 6 percent of women in the United States have kidney stones at least once. You are more likely to get another stone if you have had one.
Can kidney stones cause lasting harm?
Rarely, if they are treated by a health care professional. Untreated stones can cause blood in the urine, severe pain, UTIs, or loss of kidney function. So get care early.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Kidney Stones
- NIDDK - Definition & Facts for Kidney Stones
- NIDDK - Treatment for Kidney Stones
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
