Kidney stones are exactly what they sound like. Hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Some are tiny, like grains of sand. Others grow large enough to block urine flow and cause some of the worst pain a person can experience.

Small stones often pass on their own with enough water and time. Larger ones don’t budge without help. Left alone, they can cause blockages, infections, and permanent kidney damage. The earlier you deal with them, the simpler the solution.

What does it actually feel like?

Here’s the thing about kidney stones. They don’t hurt while they’re sitting still in the kidney. The pain starts when a stone moves into the ureter, the narrow tube that connects your kidney to your bladder. That’s when things get unpleasant fast.

Symptoms to watch for:

• Sudden, sharp pain in your back or side
• Pain that comes in waves
• Burning during urination
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Needing to urinate more often than usual
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills

That last one matters. Fever and chills alongside urinary symptoms usually means infection. That’s a situation where you need to see a doctor the same day, not next week.

Most people feel the first sign as a sharp ache on one side. Some notice blood in the toilet before any pain kicks in.

Why do kidney stones form?

The short answer is that your urine ends up with too many minerals and not enough liquid to keep them dissolved. They crystallise, stick together, and over time become stones.

The main contributing factors:

• Not drinking enough water
• A high salt diet
• Eating large amounts of meat
• Family history
• Obesity
• Frequent urinary tract infections

What about protein powder?

Protein powder itself doesn’t cause stones. But if you’re consuming a lot of protein and not drinking enough water, your urine chemistry shifts in a way that raises your risk. Hydration matters a lot here.

Are kidney stones dangerous?

Most of the time, no. Modern treatment is safe and effective. But ignoring a large stone is a different story. Over time, an untreated stone can cause persistent pain, urine blockages, repeat infections, swollen kidneys, and in serious cases, kidney failure.

One thing worth knowing. A stuck stone can cause creatinine levels to rise. Creatinine is a waste product that your kidneys normally filter out of your blood. When a stone blocks urine flow, that filtration stops working properly. This becomes especially serious in men who only have one functioning kidney.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will go through your symptoms and do a physical check. To find the stone and understand what you’re dealing with, a few tests are used:

• CT scan – The gold standard. It shows the exact size and location of the stone with precision.
• Ultrasound – A useful option when radiation needs to be avoided. It picks up blockages well.
• Urine and blood tests – Check how your kidneys are functioning and flag any infection.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the size of the stone, where it’s sitting, your overall health, and your history. There’s no one approach that works for everyone.

• Passing it naturally – Stones smaller than 5mm often pass on their own. Drinking plenty of water helps move things along. Your doctor may also prescribe alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles in your ureter and make it easier for the stone to slide through. It can still be uncomfortable, but no procedure is needed.
• Laser treatment (RIRS) – For medium-sized stones, doctors use a thin flexible scope passed through your natural urinary tract, no cuts on the skin. A laser breaks the stone down into fine dust. You’re under anaesthesia throughout, so you feel nothing. Most patients go home the same day or the next and are back to normal within two to three days.
• Keyhole surgery (PCNL) – Large stones, typically over 2cm, need a more direct approach. The surgeon makes a small incision in your back and passes a scope directly into the kidney to break up and remove the stone. It’s the most reliable method for large or complex cases and has a strong track record.

Will stones come back?

This is the part a lot of people don’t expect. Removing a stone doesn’t stop your body from making new ones. If you’ve had one stone, your chances of getting another are genuinely high.

The good news is that your doctor can analyse the stone in a lab after removal. That tells them exactly what it was made of and what changes, diet, hydration, or medication, will reduce the risk of recurrence.

Practical steps to prevent stones:

• Drink enough water to keep your urine pale and clear
• Cut back on salt
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Follow any specific dietary guidance based on your stone analysis

A few quick things people ask about

• Which side does the pain come from? – The side where the stone is stuck.
• Do kidney stones affect fertility? – No. They’re in the urinary tract, not the reproductive system.
• Do they cause high blood pressure? – Not directly. But repeated kidney damage from untreated stones can affect blood pressure over time.
• Is treatment safe? – Yes. Complication rates are low when the procedure is done by an experienced urologist.

About Dr. Sandeep Bafna

Dr. Bafna provides complete kidney stone care in Chennai, from diagnosis and medical management through to laser treatment and surgery. Every treatment plan is built around the individual patient with one clear focus: remove the stone, protect kidney function, and prevent new ones from forming.