Kidney Stones Treatment in Newcastle
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move or block the urinary tract. Many stones are treatable, and understanding why they formed can help reduce the chance of future episodes.
Tyneside Urology Partners provides kidney stones treatment in Newcastle for patients with suspected or confirmed stones, renal colic, blood in the urine or recurrent stone problems. Treatment suitability depends on your symptoms, scan results, stone size and position, medical history and a specialist consultation.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are solid deposits that form from minerals and salts in the urine. They can develop inside the kidney and may stay there without causing symptoms, or they can move into the ureter. The ureter is the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Stones vary in size. Some are small enough to pass naturally, while others can become stuck and cause pain, blockage, infection or problems with kidney drainage. A stone that moves and causes sudden severe pain is often described as renal colic.
Most kidney stones contain calcium, although there are different types. The type of stone can affect both treatment and prevention. Where possible, analysing a passed or removed stone can help guide advice about reducing the risk of future stones.
The aim of kidney stone care is to relieve pain, identify the size and position of the stone, treat it where needed and reduce the chance of further stones forming.
Recognising kidney stone symptoms
Kidney stones can be silent until they move or cause a blockage. When symptoms occur, they can be very painful and may come in waves.
The classic symptom is sudden, intense pain in the side or back. This pain may spread towards the lower abdomen, groin or testicle in men. It can come and go in waves as the stone moves or the ureter spasms.
Kidney stones can cause visible or non-visible blood in the urine. Blood in the urine should be assessed by a healthcare professional, even if a stone is suspected.
Some people notice needing to pass urine more often, urgency, stinging when passing urine or discomfort low in the abdomen. These symptoms can happen when a stone is near the bladder or if infection is also present.
Renal colic can cause nausea and vomiting. If pain is linked with fever, chills or feeling very unwell, this may suggest infection with a blocked kidney and needs urgent assessment.
Why kidney stones form
Several factors can increase the chance of kidney stones forming. Understanding your risk factors is an important part of preventing further stones.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluid can make the urine more concentrated. This allows minerals and salts to crystallise more easily, increasing the risk of stone formation.
Diet and salt intake
Diet can affect stone risk for some people. High salt intake, high animal protein intake and other dietary factors may contribute, depending on the type of stone and your individual risk profile.
Medical and metabolic factors
Some people are more prone to stones because of how their body handles calcium, oxalate, uric acid or other substances in the urine. Blood and urine tests may be recommended if stones are recurrent or unusual.
Family history and previous stones
Having had a kidney stone before increases the chance of another stone. A family history can also increase risk, particularly where stones occur repeatedly or at a younger age.
When kidney stone pain needs urgent care
Many small kidney stones pass naturally with fluids, pain relief and time. However, some symptoms need urgent medical attention.
Seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111, urgent care or emergency services if you have severe pain with a high temperature, chills, vomiting, confusion, difficulty passing urine or you feel very unwell.
A blocked kidney with infection can be a medical emergency. Do not wait for a private appointment if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or associated with fever.
Who kidney stone treatment is for
Kidney stone treatment may be suitable for people with suspected or confirmed stones where symptoms, imaging or recurrence risk need specialist review. Specialist assessment may be helpful if you:
- Have sudden severe pain in the side, back, lower abdomen or groin
- Have been told you have a kidney stone
- Have blood in the urine
- Have recurrent kidney stones
- Have a stone that has not passed
- Have repeated urinary symptoms linked to stones
- Have nausea or vomiting with stone pain
- Need imaging to confirm stone size and position
- Want advice about preventing future stones
- Have had previous stone treatment and symptoms have returned
Not every stone needs active treatment. Your clinician will explain whether observation, pain control, medication, a procedure or surgery is most appropriate.
Kidney stone treatments
The right treatment depends on the stone’s size, position and effect on the kidney. Your clinician will recommend the most suitable approach after assessment and imaging.
Some small stones pass naturally. During this time, pain relief, hydration advice and monitoring may be recommended. You will be advised what symptoms should prompt urgent help.
Shockwave lithotripsy uses focused sound waves to break a stone into smaller fragments that can pass in the urine. It is non-invasive and does not involve surgical cuts, but it is not suitable for every stone.
Ureteroscopy uses a fine telescope passed through the urinary tract to reach the stone. A laser can then be used to break the stone into smaller pieces, which may be removed or left to pass.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, often called PCNL, is a keyhole operation used for larger or more complex kidney stones. It involves accessing the kidney through a small cut in the back to remove stone material.
A ureteric stent is a thin tube placed inside the ureter to help urine drain from the kidney to the bladder. It may be used when a stone is causing blockage or as part of stone treatment.
What to expect
Kidney stone care begins with assessment. The exact pathway will depend on your symptoms, scan results, general health and whether there are signs of infection or blockage.
Your clinician will ask about your symptoms, when pain started, where it is felt and whether you have had stones before. They will also ask about urinary symptoms, fever, nausea, fluid intake, diet, medicines, medical conditions and family history.
A urine test may be used to check for blood, infection or other changes. Blood tests may be recommended to assess kidney function, infection markers or mineral levels.
Imaging is often needed to confirm whether a stone is present and where it is located. The most appropriate scan will depend on your symptoms and clinical situation.
Treatment depends on the size, position and type of stone, as well as your pain levels, kidney function and whether infection is present.
Small stones may pass naturally with pain relief, fluids and time. Some patients may be prescribed medication to help stone passage where appropriate. Larger stones, stones that are stuck or stones causing blockage or infection may need active treatment.
Your clinician will explain the treatment options that are suitable for your stone and what recovery is likely to involve.
Recovery depends on whether the stone passes naturally or needs treatment. If a procedure is needed, your clinician will confirm aftercare instructions, activity advice, pain relief, follow-up scans and any stent-related care.
Follow-up is important because stones can recur. Your clinician may recommend stone analysis, blood tests, urine tests or prevention advice based on your stone history.
Benefits of specialist kidney stone care
Kidney stone symptoms can be severe, and treatment decisions often depend on detailed imaging and clinical assessment.
Clear diagnosis
Imaging and urine testing can help confirm whether a kidney stone is present, where it is and whether it is causing blockage or infection.
Treatment matched to the stone
Different stones need different approaches. Specialist assessment helps match the treatment to the stone’s size, position and likely behaviour.
Pain and symptom management
Kidney stone pain can be difficult to manage. A treatment plan can help address the immediate episode and reduce uncertainty about next steps.
Prevention built into care
Because kidney stones can come back, prevention matters. Understanding why stones formed can help guide fluid, diet, medical or monitoring advice.
Risks and side effects
Kidney stone treatment is generally effective for many patients, but all treatment options have risks. The exact risks depend on the stone, treatment type and your medical situation.
Possible risks and side effects may include:
- Pain while passing a stone or stone fragments
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infection
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Need for a ureteric stent
- Stent discomfort, urgency or frequency
- Stone fragments not passing fully
- Need for repeat treatment
- Temporary difficulty passing urine
- Injury, bleeding or complications related to a procedure
- Anaesthetic-related risks for surgical treatments
You should seek urgent medical advice if you have severe pain with fever, chills, vomiting, difficulty passing urine, heavy bleeding or you feel very unwell.
Your clinician will explain the potential risks, benefits and limitations before treatment goes ahead.
Private kidney stones treatment near Newcastle
Tyneside Urology Partners provides private kidney stones treatment near Newcastle from its clinic in Team Valley, Tyne & Wear. The clinic serves patients from Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside and across the North East.
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss stone symptoms, imaging results, treatment options and prevention in a specialist setting. Your clinician will explain whether your stone is likely to pass naturally or whether active treatment is needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Will my kidney stone pass on its own?
Some small kidney stones pass naturally with time, fluids and pain relief. Larger stones, stones causing blockage or stones linked with infection may need active treatment. Your clinician will advise based on imaging and symptoms.
- How are kidney stones diagnosed?
Kidney stones are usually assessed using symptoms, urine tests, blood tests and imaging. A CT scan is often used to show the size and position of a stone, although the most appropriate imaging will depend on your situation.
- Do kidney stones come back?
Kidney stones can recur. Prevention advice is important, especially if you have had stones before. Your clinician may recommend stone analysis, urine tests, blood tests or lifestyle advice depending on your risk factors.
- What treatments are available for kidney stones?
Treatment may include observation, pain relief, shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser treatment, PCNL for larger stones or a ureteric stent where drainage is needed. Your clinician will recommend the most suitable option.
- When is kidney stone pain an emergency?
Kidney stone pain needs urgent assessment if it is associated with fever, chills, vomiting, difficulty passing urine, confusion, severe worsening pain or feeling very unwell. This can suggest infection or blockage.
- Can kidney stones be prevented?
The risk of future stones can often be reduced. Prevention depends on stone type and risk factors, but may include hydration advice, diet changes, stone analysis, urine tests or medication in selected cases.
Treat kidney stones in Newcastle
If you have kidney stone symptoms, recurrent stones or a scan showing a stone, a specialist consultation can help you understand the next step. Tyneside Urology Partners provides private kidney stone assessment and treatment planning near Newcastle.
