Kidney Stones: Causes, Prevention, and Minimally Invasive Treatments

February 4, 2026

Kidney Stones: Causes, Prevention, and Minimally Invasive Treatments

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
04 February, 2026

Kidney Stones: Causes, Prevention, and Minimally Invasive Treatments

Kidney stones are a major public health concern in India. When there is excessive mineral presence in blood like oxalate, calcium, phosphate etc. and there is dehydration too, these substances do not get flushed out of the body via urine. Instead, they band together and form tiny clumps or crystals. They can be very minute or grow substantially in size. They can come out when you pee or if they are pretty large, can cause a blockage and lead to unwanted symptoms and side effects. Kidney stones need dedicated treatment and you will require a long term management plan from the best urologist in Hyderabad in place as they can recur too.

Kidney Stone Causes

Some of the most well known causes include

Dehydration
Having a family history of kidney stones can increase your risk substantially.
Eating foods that are very high in sodium, sugars, proteins or Vitamin C
If you have had gastric bypass surgery
If you have to take calcium based medications like antacids, diuretics or antiseizure medications.
Have issues with the parathyroid gland.
If you have hypercalciuria – high amounts of calcium in blood.
If you are diabetic or have gout or chronic conditions like these.
Have a blocked urinary tract.

Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

These are some of the most common symptoms associated with having kidney stones-

Severe flank pain – which is the lower back, groin, sides and belly, which has a radiating quality.
Blood in urine
Pain and burning sensation while peeing
Needing to pee often but you have the feeling that you have not finished urinating completely.
You may have fever or chills
Your urine may look cloudy or smell bad.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Kidney Stones

A simple urinalysis can detect the presence of minerals or check for infections. Imaging – like CT scans, ultrasound or X-rays can detect number, size and shape of the stones along with their precise location. Blood tests check for kidney function and can also tell if you have high concentrations of stone forming minerals present.

Treatment approach depends on the size and location of stones. If they are very small, then you may pass them on your own and will be asked to drink more water. Other times, ureter relaxing drugs like tamsulosin or nifedipine are prescribed.

If there is too much pain, then painkillers can help.

If you cannot pass the stone and there is a blockage, surgery is recommended. Options include shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and laparoscopic surgery in rare cases, respectively. Laser treatment for kidney stones includes the use of lasers to break stones down into very minute fragments, so they can pass easily in urine. It is a good option to consider when you have large, hard stones. Since lasers are used, there is very high precision and surrounding tissue does not get damaged, when the ureteroscope is inserted through the urethra and bladder into the ureter.

Lithotripsy procedure involves the use of shockwaves to break stones down, so they can get out of the body in urine.

Kidney Stone Prevention Tips

Recurrent kidney stones are a problem as stones can form again if there is dehydration or diet is not addressed. The easiest ways you can stay stone free include drinking plenty of water, limiting consumption of oxalate, sugar and sodium rich foods and including calcium rich foods- as these can bind to oxalate and prevent stone formation. But, the calcium should NOT come from supplements, but must be from food. Such a diet is kidney friendly too in the long term.

Conclusion

Kidney stones are preventable as long as you monitor water and diet choices. If you have made changes to your diet but notice no relief, then you may be given specific medications to prevent stone formation- and this depends on the kind of stones you have had before. Kidney stones can cause a lot of pain, so getting the right treatment from the best urologist in Hyderabad can help you understand treatment modalities and also work to prevent recurrent kidney stones from affecting your daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes kidney stones to form?

Kidney stones develop when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals and salts to crystallize and stick together. Common types include calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones. Risk factors include low fluid intake, high sodium diet, excess oxalate-rich foods, high animal protein intake, obesity, recurrent urinary infections, and certain metabolic disorders. A family history also increases risk.

How can kidney stones be prevented?

Prevention focuses on reducing crystal formation. Drink enough fluids to produce at least 2–2.5 liters of urine daily. Limit sodium, moderate animal protein, and avoid excess oxalate-rich foods such as spinach, nuts, and tea if prone to calcium oxalate stones. Maintain normal dietary calcium intake rather than restricting it. Medications such as thiazide diuretics or potassium citrate may be prescribed for high-risk patients.

What tests diagnose kidney stones?

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and imaging. A non-contrast CT scan of the abdomen is the most accurate test. Ultrasound is often used in pregnancy or to reduce radiation exposure. Urine tests check for blood, infection, and crystal content. Blood tests evaluate kidney function and mineral levels. Stone analysis after passage helps guide prevention.

What are minimally invasive treatments for kidney stones?

Small stones may pass with hydration and pain control. Larger stones can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which breaks stones using sound waves; ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, where a scope is passed through the urinary tract; or percutaneous nephrolithotomy for large stones through a small back incision.

Can kidney stones recur?

Yes. Recurrence rates can reach 30–50% within five years without preventive measures. Identifying stone type and correcting dietary or metabolic causes reduces future risk.