Kidney & Urinary Tract
Kidney Stones
Hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys and may cause pain when they move or block urine flow.
Overview
Kidney stones (renal calculi) form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals such as calcium, oxalate or uric acid to crystallise. Many small stones pass on their own; larger stones may block the urinary tract and require treatment.
Common symptoms
- Pain in the side, back or lower abdomen that may come in waves
- Blood in the urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Burning or pain while passing urine
- Fever when infection is present
When to see a urologist
Seek urgent care for severe pain with fever, vomiting, or inability to pass urine. Even pain-free stones found on scans deserve a urology review to plan monitoring or treatment.
This website provides general educational information and is not a substitute for an individual medical consultation. Diagnosis and treatment should be based on assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.