Kidney Stones
Kidney Stones: Understanding, Treating and Preventing Recurrence
Kidney stones affect around one in ten people during their lifetime. This guide explains how stones form, how they are treated and the practical steps that reduce recurrence.
Written and clinically reviewed by
Mr Haitham Teleb
Consultant Urological Surgeon · MBBCh, MRCS, MSc, FRCS (Urol)
- Reading time
- 8 min read
- Date published
- 1 November 2025
- Last reviewed
- 1 June 2026
How stones form
Kidney stones develop when minerals in the urine become concentrated enough to crystallise. Common contributing factors include low fluid intake, dietary factors, family history and certain medical conditions.
Symptoms
Stones can be silent, or cause sudden severe loin pain radiating to the groin, nausea, blood in the urine, or urinary infection when a stone obstructs the flow of urine.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size, position and composition of the stone, as well as your kidney function and symptoms.
- Conservative management with fluids and pain relief for small stones
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
- Ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for large or complex stones
Preventing recurrence
Simple measures — drinking enough water to keep urine pale, moderating salt and animal protein, and maintaining a healthy weight — significantly reduce the risk of new stones.
For recurrent stone formers, metabolic testing can identify treatable underlying causes.
Frequently asked questions
This article provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. For personalised guidance, please arrange a private consultation.
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FRCS (Urol)
Fellowship-trained consultant
5.0 patient rating
Verified private reviews
Seen within days
Same-week appointments
All major insurers
BUPA · AXA · Aviva · Vitality · WPA