Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys. They are one of the most painful conditions in urology — but with the right care, most stones can be treated and future stones prevented.
1 in 10
Americans will have a kidney stone in their lifetime
3×
more likely to recur if you've had one before
80%
of stones are calcium oxalate type
~5mm
stones this size or smaller often pass on their own
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are solid deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when urine becomes too concentrated. They can affect any part of the urinary tract — from the kidneys to the bladder.
Stones vary widely in size — from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Small stones may pass through the urinary tract without causing symptoms. Larger stones can block the flow of urine, causing severe pain and potentially serious complications including kidney damage and infection.
Kidney stones are highly treatable, and with the right prevention plan, recurrence can be significantly reduced. At NephrocareMD, our nephrologists specialize in identifying the underlying cause of your stones and building a personalized plan to protect your kidneys long-term.
Types of Kidney Stones
Knowing the type of stone you have is essential — it determines the right treatment and prevention strategy. Stone type is identified by analyzing a passed stone or through urine and blood tests.
Calcium Oxalate
~80% of cases
The most common type. Forms when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. High oxalate foods, low fluid intake, and certain metabolic conditions increase risk.
Uric Acid
~10% of cases
Forms when urine is too acidic. Common in people with gout, diabetes, or those who eat a high-protein diet. More common in men.
Struvite
~5–10% of cases
Caused by urinary tract infections. Can grow quickly and become very large. More common in women. Requires treating the underlying infection.
Cystine
~1% of cases
A rare inherited condition where the kidneys excrete too much cystine amino acid into the urine. Tends to recur and requires lifelong management.
Symptoms
A kidney stone may cause no symptoms at all until it begins to move through the ureter — the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. When that happens, symptoms can be sudden and severe.
Severe flank pain
Sharp, cramping pain in the back or side, just below the ribs — often described as one of the worst pains imaginable.
Pain that radiates
Pain that moves from the back and side down to the lower abdomen and groin as the stone travels through the ureter.
Painful urination
Burning or sharp pain when urinating, especially as the stone approaches the bladder.
Blood in the urine
Urine may appear pink, red, or brown (hematuria). Sometimes only detectable under a microscope.
Nausea and vomiting
Often accompanies severe pain. The kidneys and GI tract share nerve pathways, causing reflex nausea.
Frequent urination
An urgent, persistent need to urinate — especially as the stone nears the bladder.
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
May indicate an associated urinary tract infection, which requires prompt treatment.
Fever and chills
A sign of infection. A kidney stone with fever is a medical emergency — seek care immediately.
Seek emergency care immediately if you have severe pain with fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting — or if you are unable to urinate. These may indicate a blocked kidney with infection, which can become life-threatening within hours.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones. Many of these are modifiable with diet and lifestyle changes.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluids is the single biggest risk factor. Concentrated urine allows minerals to crystallize.
High-sodium diet
Excess sodium increases calcium in the urine, raising the risk of calcium stones.
High-protein diet
Animal protein raises uric acid and reduces citrate, both of which promote stone formation.
High-oxalate foods
Spinach, nuts, chocolate, and tea are high in oxalate, which binds with calcium to form stones.
Obesity
Changes in acid and calcium levels in the urine associated with obesity increase stone risk.
Family or personal history
If you've had a stone before, you're significantly more likely to have another. Genetics also play a role.
Certain medical conditions
Gout, hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, Crohn's disease, and UTIs all increase risk.
Certain medications
Calcium-based antacids, vitamin C supplements, and some diuretics can raise stone risk.
How Kidney Stones Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of imaging, blood tests, and urine tests. If you pass a stone, your provider will analyze it to determine its composition — which guides prevention.
CT Scan (without contrast)
The gold standard for diagnosing kidney stones. A low-dose CT scan can detect stones as small as 1mm anywhere in the urinary tract and identify blockages.
Ultrasound
A radiation-free option often used for pregnant patients or children. Effective for detecting stones in the kidney and signs of obstruction.
X-ray (KUB)
Can detect calcium-containing stones but misses uric acid and cystine stones. Often used to monitor known stones over time.
Urine tests (24-hour collection)
A 24-hour urine collection measures the levels of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, citrate, and other substances — essential for understanding why stones are forming and how to prevent them.
Blood tests
Check calcium, uric acid, kidney function (creatinine, eGFR), and parathyroid hormone levels to identify underlying metabolic causes.
Stone analysis
If you pass a stone, strain your urine and bring the stone to your provider. Lab analysis of the stone's composition is the most direct guide to prevention.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the size, location, and type of stone — as well as your symptoms and overall health. Your NephrocareMD provider will recommend the most appropriate approach.
Watchful Waiting
Small stones (under 5mm) often pass on their own within a few weeks. Your provider may recommend pain management, increased fluid intake, and a medication called an alpha-blocker to relax the ureter and help the stone pass.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL)
A non-invasive procedure that uses focused sound waves to break a stone into smaller fragments that can pass in the urine. Most effective for stones in the kidney or upper ureter. Usually done as an outpatient procedure.
Ureteroscopy
A thin scope is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to locate and remove or break up the stone with a laser. Highly effective for stones in the ureter or kidney. No incisions required.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
A minimally invasive surgical procedure for large or complex stones. A small incision is made in the back to access the kidney directly. Used when other methods are unlikely to succeed.
Medical Expulsive Therapy
Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin) relax the muscles of the ureter, making it easier for a stone to pass. Often prescribed alongside pain management for stones expected to pass on their own.
Preventing Kidney Stones
If you've had a kidney stone, your risk of having another is high — but recurrence is largely preventable. Prevention is tailored to your stone type and the results of your 24-hour urine test.
Drink more water
Aim for 2.5–3 liters of fluid per day — enough to produce pale, clear urine. This is the single most effective prevention strategy.
Reduce sodium
Limit sodium to less than 2,300 mg per day. High sodium raises urinary calcium, a key driver of calcium stones.
Moderate animal protein
Limit red meat, poultry, and shellfish. High animal protein raises uric acid and lowers citrate in the urine.
Don't restrict calcium
Dietary calcium (from food) actually helps by binding oxalate in the gut before it reaches the kidneys. Calcium supplements, however, may increase risk — ask your provider.
Limit high-oxalate foods
If you form calcium oxalate stones, reduce spinach, rhubarb, nuts, chocolate, and strong tea.
Take prescribed medications
Depending on your stone type, your provider may prescribe thiazide diuretics, potassium citrate, allopurinol, or other medications to reduce recurrence.
Kidney Stones and Chronic Kidney Disease
Recurrent kidney stones can cause lasting damage to kidney tissue. Each episode of obstruction or infection carries a risk of scarring that reduces kidney function over time. Patients with frequent stones are at elevated risk for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Conversely, patients who already have CKD are more prone to certain types of stones due to changes in how their kidneys handle calcium, phosphorus, and acid. Managing both conditions together requires a nephrologist's expertise.
At NephrocareMD, we evaluate kidney stone patients for underlying metabolic and kidney conditions — not just the stone itself. Early identification of CKD risk allows us to intervene before function is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kidney Stone Evaluation & Prevention
Our Dearborn nephrology team provides comprehensive stone evaluation — including 24-hour urine testing and metabolic workup — to find out why your stones are forming and how to stop them.
Request an Appointment +1 313 960 6605On This Page
Passing a Stone?
Strain your urine to catch the stone. Bring it to your appointment — stone analysis is the most direct guide to preventing your next one.
Hydration Tip
Aim for urine that looks pale yellow or clear. If it's dark, you're not drinking enough. Staying well-hydrated is the single most effective way to prevent kidney stones.
Had a Kidney Stone? Don't Wait for the Next One.
A metabolic evaluation after your first stone can identify exactly why it formed — and what to do to prevent the next one. Our NephrocareMD team in Dearborn is ready to help.