Kidney stones are among the most painful conditions a person can experience. The good news is that most can be prevented — and when treatment is needed, advanced minimally invasive options deliver excellent outcomes.
Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) form when minerals and salts in the urine crystallise and aggregate within the kidney. They vary in size from a tiny grain of sand to several centimetres in diameter. The composition of stones varies — most are calcium oxalate, but uric acid, struvite and cystine stones also occur. Understanding the type of stone a patient forms is important in guiding both treatment and prevention.
Kidney stones are remarkably common, particularly in South India where heat, dehydration and dietary patterns contribute to high prevalence. Risk factors include inadequate fluid intake, a diet high in sodium, animal protein or oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach, nuts and chocolate), obesity, a personal or family history of stones, conditions such as gout or hyperparathyroidism, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
The classic presentation of a kidney stone is sudden, severe, colicky pain — typically in the flank, radiating to the groin or lower abdomen. This pain is often described as one of the most intense a person can experience. Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine (haematuria), a frequent or urgent need to urinate and, in some cases, fever if an infection is present.
A fever accompanying stone symptoms indicates possible infection — a urological emergency requiring immediate attention.
The workup for a suspected kidney stone includes imaging (CT scan of the abdomen is the gold standard), urinalysis and blood tests to evaluate kidney function and identify metabolic causes. For patients with recurrent stones, a 24-hour urine collection and stone composition analysis guide long-term preventive strategy.
Small stones often pass spontaneously with adequate fluid intake and analgesics. Medications such as alpha-blockers may facilitate passage of larger ureteric stones. When intervention is required, the approach depends on the size and location of the stone:
At RVR Super Speciality Centre, Dr. Nandakishore B has extensive published research in RIRS outcomes and is certified in urodynamic procedures by the Bristol Institute of Urology, UK. This level of urological expertise, combined with Mangalore's First Bladder Clinic, makes RVR a comprehensive destination for urological care.
For most patients, the single most effective preventive measure is adequate hydration — aiming for a urine output of at least 2 litres per day. Dietary modifications depend on the stone type but generally include reducing sodium intake, moderating animal protein, maintaining adequate dietary calcium (not calcium supplements) and avoiding excessive oxalate-rich foods.