Kidney stones are hard deposits that form from minerals and salts in the urine. Some are tiny and pass without much difficulty, while others can cause severe pain, blood in the urine, infection or a blockage in the urinary tract.
Tyneside Urology Partners provides private assessment and treatment options for kidney stones in Newcastle, supporting patients from Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyneside and the wider North East.
If you think you may have a kidney stone, it is important to seek medical advice. Symptoms can overlap with other urinary, kidney and abdominal conditions, so assessment helps identify the cause and guide the most appropriate next step.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones form when substances in the urine crystallise and build into hard deposits. They can develop inside the kidney and may stay there without causing symptoms. If a stone moves from the kidney into the ureter, which is the tube between the kidney and bladder, it can cause pain and sometimes a blockage.
Kidney stones vary in size. Some are small enough to pass naturally. Larger stones may become stuck or cause ongoing symptoms, and may need treatment from a urologist.
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones can form when the urine becomes too concentrated. This may allow minerals and salts to join together and create crystals, which can grow into stones over time.
Possible causes and risk factors include:
- Not drinking enough fluid
- Recurrent urinary infections
- A previous history of kidney stones
- A family history of kidney stones
- Some medical conditions that affect the kidneys, bowel or metabolism
- Certain medicines or supplements
- Diets that are very high in salt or certain animal proteins
- High levels of stone-forming substances in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate or uric acid
Not everyone with a kidney stone has an obvious cause. If you have had more than one stone, or are at higher risk of recurrence, your clinician may recommend further tests to look for possible underlying factors.
How do I know if I have a kidney stone?
Kidney stones do not always cause symptoms. Very small stones may pass without being noticed. Symptoms are more likely when a stone moves, irritates the urinary tract or blocks the flow of urine.
Common symptoms may include:
- Severe pain in the side, back, lower abdomen or groin
- Pain that comes in waves
- Blood in the urine
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Needing to pass urine more often
- Pain or stinging when passing urine
- Urgency to pass urine
- Cloudy or unpleasant-smelling urine
- Fever or chills if infection is present
The pain from a stone in the ureter is often called renal colic. It can be intense and may move as the stone travels down the urinary tract.
These symptoms should not be self-diagnosed. Blood in the urine, severe pain and urinary symptoms can have several causes, so medical assessment is important.
When should I seek urgent medical advice?
Seek urgent medical advice if you have:
- Severe pain that is not settling
- A high temperature, fever or chills
- Vomiting and difficulty keeping fluids down
- Visible blood in your urine
- Difficulty passing urine
- Pain with signs of infection
- Symptoms and only one working kidney
- Symptoms during pregnancy
- Feeling very unwell
If symptoms are severe or you feel seriously unwell, use NHS 111 or attend urgent or emergency care.
How are kidney stones diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually starts with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and any previous stones. Your clinician may ask where the pain is, whether you have noticed blood in the urine and whether you have symptoms of infection.
Assessment may include:
- A physical examination
- Urine testing to check for blood or infection
- Blood tests to assess kidney function and look for underlying causes
- Imaging, such as ultrasound or CT scan
- Analysis of a passed or removed stone, where available
The exact tests depend on your symptoms, clinical findings and whether urgent assessment is needed.
Can kidney stones pass on their own?
Some kidney stones can pass on their own, especially if they are small and not causing infection, severe blockage or uncontrolled pain. Your clinician may advise monitoring, pain relief and fluids while the stone passes.
Whether a stone is likely to pass depends on factors such as:
- Stone size
- Stone position
- Level of pain
- Whether there is infection
- Whether the kidney is blocked
- Kidney function
- Your general health
You should not try to manage severe symptoms without medical advice. A stone that causes infection, persistent pain, reduced kidney function or blockage may need active treatment.
What are the treatment options for kidney stones?
Treatment depends on the size and position of the stone, your symptoms, test results and whether there are signs of infection or obstruction.
Monitoring and pain relief
If a stone is small and symptoms are manageable, your clinician may recommend a period of observation. This means giving the stone time to pass naturally while managing pain and monitoring symptoms.
Pain relief may be needed during this time. You should only take medicines that are suitable for you, especially if you have kidney problems, stomach ulcers, asthma, are taking blood-thinning medication or have other medical conditions.
Medication to help stone passage
In some cases, medication may be considered to help the ureter relax and support stone passage. This is sometimes called medical expulsive therapy. It is not suitable for everyone, and your clinician will advise whether it is appropriate.
Shockwave lithotripsy
Shockwave lithotripsy uses sound waves from outside the body to break a stone into smaller fragments. These fragments may then pass in the urine.
It may be considered for some stones depending on their size, position and hardness. Some people need more than one session, and not all stones are suitable.
Ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy involves passing a small telescope through the urethra and bladder into the ureter or kidney. The stone may be removed or broken into smaller pieces using laser energy.
This treatment may be considered for stones in the ureter or kidney. A temporary stent may be placed afterwards to help urine drain while swelling settles.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, often shortened to PCNL, is usually considered for larger or more complex kidney stones. It involves making a small opening in the back to reach the kidney and remove the stone.
This is a more involved procedure than some other stone treatments, and suitability depends on careful assessment.
Emergency drainage
If a stone is causing infection, severe blockage or reduced kidney function, urgent drainage may be needed. This can involve a ureteric stent or a nephrostomy tube to allow urine to drain from the kidney. Further stone treatment may be planned once the urgent problem has been managed.
How can I prevent kidney stones coming back?
Kidney stones can recur, so prevention is an important part of care. The right advice depends on the type of stone and your individual risk factors.
General measures that may help reduce the risk of further stones include:
- Drinking enough fluid to keep urine pale
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating a balanced diet
- Avoiding very high intake of animal protein
- Keeping a healthy, consistent calcium intake unless advised otherwise
- Avoiding excessive vitamin C or supplement use unless recommended
- Seeking advice if you have recurrent urinary infections
- Having follow-up tests if stones keep returning
Some people need more detailed urine or blood testing to identify why stones are forming. This can help guide more personalised prevention advice, including dietary changes or medication where appropriate.
Do not make major dietary changes without medical guidance, especially if you have kidney disease, bowel disease, diabetes or other long-term health conditions.
Private kidney stone care in Newcastle
Tyneside Urology Partners offers private urology assessment for patients with suspected or confirmed kidney stones in Newcastle, based in Team Valley and serving Gateshead, Tyneside, Tyne & Wear and the North East.
A private consultation can help you understand:
- Whether your symptoms may be linked to a kidney stone
- Which tests may be needed
- Whether a stone may pass naturally
- Which treatment options may be suitable
- How to reduce the risk of further stones
Treatment recommendations depend on your symptoms, scan results, medical history and personal circumstances.
FAQs
- What does kidney stone pain feel like?
Kidney stone pain can be severe and may start in the side or back before moving towards the lower abdomen or groin. It may come in waves and can be associated with nausea, vomiting or blood in the urine. Other conditions can cause similar pain, so it should be assessed.
- Can kidney stones cause blood in the urine?
Yes. A kidney stone can irritate the lining of the kidney, ureter or bladder and cause blood in the urine. Blood may be visible or only found on a urine test. Blood in the urine should always be checked, even if it happens only once.
- Are kidney stones always painful?
No. Some kidney stones cause no symptoms and are found during scans for another reason. Pain is more likely if a stone moves into the ureter, blocks urine flow or causes irritation.
- How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
This varies. Some small stones pass within days, while others take longer or do not pass without treatment. Stone size, position and symptoms all affect the likelihood of natural passage. If pain is severe, symptoms are worsening or infection is suspected, seek medical advice.
- Will I need surgery for a kidney stone?
Not always. Some stones pass naturally with monitoring and symptom control. Others may need treatment such as shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy or PCNL. The most suitable option depends on the stone and your overall health.
- Can kidney stones come back?
Yes. Some people have one stone and never have another, but others develop recurrent stones. Prevention advice, fluid intake, diet and further testing may help reduce the chance of stones returning.
Make an enquiry
If you are concerned about kidney stone symptoms or would like to discuss private kidney stone treatment in Newcastle, book a consultation with Tyneside Urology Partners.
