Overview of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a frequent cause of severe urinary tract pain, but timely care can bring fast relief and lower the chance of future episodes. At Cape Fear Valley Health, our primary care, emergency, and urology teams work together to diagnose, treat, and prevent stones with personalized plans and evidence-based care. Clinically known as nephrolithiasis, kidney stones can often be managed without surgery, but our specialists are also experienced in kidney stone surgery when procedures are the safest and most effective option.
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form when urine becomes concentrated and certain substances crystallize. Small crystals can grow into stones that may stay in the kidney or move into the ureter, the tube that carries urine to the bladder. This process, called nephrolithiasis, affects people of all ages and can recur without prevention strategies.
Common types of kidney stones include:
- Calcium oxalate: most common; influenced by oxalate and calcium balance
- Uric acid: more likely with high-purine diets or gout
- Struvite: associated with urinary tract infections
- Cystine: rare, due to an inherited condition
Risk rises with dehydration, hot climates, high salt or animal protein intake, obesity, diabetes, family history, certain medications, and conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. Men are affected slightly more often, but women also face risk, especially with infection-related stones. Understanding the types of kidney stones you form helps tailor prevention and treatment.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Typical symptoms include sharp flank or back pain that can radiate to the lower abdomen or groin, blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting, urinary urgency or frequency, and burning with urination. Pain often comes in waves as the stone moves.
Seek urgent medical attention if you have any of the following:
- Fever or chills, which can signal infection
- Inability to urinate
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe pain not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers
Contact Cape Fear Valley primary care for initial guidance and pain control, or visit our emergency department for severe symptoms. Our urology specialists provide definitive evaluation and treatment for nephrolithiasis that is large, obstructing, infected, or recurrent.
Diagnosis and Tests for Kidney Stones
Evaluation starts with a medical history, physical exam, and tests to confirm a stone and check for complications. Urinalysis looks for blood, crystals, and infection. Blood tests assess kidney function and levels of substances such as calcium and uric acid.
Imaging helps locate and size the stone. A non-contrast CT scan is the most sensitive test. Ultrasound is commonly used to avoid radiation when appropriate and may be paired with abdominal X-rays to monitor certain stones.
During a clinic or emergency visit, expect pain control, hydration, labs, and imaging. If you pass a stone, you may receive a strainer to collect it for analysis. Stone composition and, when appropriate, a metabolic evaluation with 24-hour urine testing guide individualized prevention based on the types of kidney stones you have formed.
Treatment and Management of Kidney Stones
Many small kidney stones pass on their own. Conservative care can include pain control (acetaminophen or NSAIDs when safe, with stronger options if needed), anti-nausea medication, hydration, and medical expulsive therapy such as tamsulosin to relax the ureter. Your clinician will advise on activity, fluid intake, and warning signs that require recheck.
Procedures are recommended when stones are large, painful, infected, or not moving. Options for kidney stone surgery and minimally invasive procedures include:
- Shock wave lithotripsy: sound waves break stones into passable pieces
- Ureteroscopy: a thin scope removes or laser-fragments stones through the urinary tract
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: treats large or complex kidney stones through a small incision in the back
At Cape Fear Valley, we prioritize effective pain management, rapid relief of obstruction, and infection control. Follow-up confirms stone clearance and kidney recovery. Urology referral is advised for recurrent stones, stones larger than about 5 to 6 mm, persistent obstruction, a solitary kidney, pregnancy, or any stone with infection. When needed, our team performs kidney stone surgery with advanced technology to improve outcomes and reduce recovery time.