Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Most Effective Treatments - Dr. Vishnu Agrawal
Dr. Vishnu Agrawal
Published on December 6, 2025
Understanding Kidney Stones: From First Signs to Final Treatment
Hello, I am Dr. Vishnu Agrawal. As a senior urologist in Ajmer with 15+ years of experience, I've treated thousands of patients with kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard deposits that form inside your kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move through your urinary system. In this guide, I'll explain everything you need to know about kidney stone symptoms, diagnosis, and the most effective treatments available at our Ajmer clinic.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are like small, hard pebbles that form in your kidneys. They're made of minerals and salts that stick together in your urine. Stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a marble. Some people get just one stone, while others get many stones over time.
Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Knowing the kidney stone symptoms helps you seek treatment early. The symptoms often start suddenly and can be very painful.
1. Severe Pain (Renal Colic)
- Where it hurts: Pain usually starts in your back or side below your ribs
- How it feels: Comes in waves, gets better and worse in intensity
- Pain movement: May move to your lower abdomen and groin as stone moves
2. Urinary Symptoms
- Painful urination: Burning or stinging feeling when you pass urine
- Blood in urine: Urine may look pink, red, or brown
- Cloudy or smelly urine: May indicate infection
- Frequent urination: Feeling like you need to go more often
3. Other Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting: Due to severe pain
- Fever and chills: If there's an infection
- Difficulty passing urine: Stone may block urine flow
When to Seek Emergency Help
Visit our Ajmer clinic immediately if you have:
- 🚨 Pain so severe you can't sit still or find comfortable position
- 🚨 Pain with nausea and vomiting
- 🚨 Pain with fever and chills
- 🚨 Blood in your urine
- 🚨 Difficulty passing urine at all
How We Diagnose Kidney Stones in Ajmer
At our clinic, we use several methods to diagnose kidney stones accurately:
1. Medical History and Physical Examination
- We ask about your symptoms, pain location, and pattern
- Check for tenderness in your back and abdomen
- Discuss your diet, fluid intake, and family history
2. Urine Tests
- Checks for blood, infection, and stone-forming minerals
- 24-hour urine collection to measure stone-forming substances
3. Blood Tests
- Measures kidney function (creatinine, BUN)
- Checks calcium, uric acid, and other stone-related substances
4. Imaging Tests
- Ultrasound: Safe, no radiation, shows stone location and size
- CT Scan: Most accurate, shows exact stone size and location
- X-ray: Good for tracking known stones
Most Effective Treatments for Kidney Stones
The right kidney stone treatment depends on your stone size, location, and symptoms. At our Ajmer clinic, we offer all modern treatments.
1. Small Stones (Less than 5mm) - Natural Passage
Most small stones pass on their own with these methods:
- Pain medication: For comfort while stone passes
- Drinking water: 2-3 liters daily to help flush stone out
- Medical therapy: Alpha-blockers to relax ureter muscles
- Strain urine: Catch stone for analysis to prevent future stones
2. Medium Stones (5mm to 10mm) - Non-Surgical Options
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
- How it works: Sound waves break stone into small pieces
- No cuts or incisions: Done from outside the body
- Recovery: Usually go home same day
- Best for: Stones in kidney or upper ureter
3. Large Stones (More than 10mm) - Surgical Treatments
Ureteroscopy (URS) with Laser
- How it works: Thin scope through urethra and bladder to stone
- Laser breaks stone: Holmium laser turns stone to dust
- No cuts: All done through natural passages
- Recovery: Usually home same day, quick return to normal
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
- For very large stones: Stones larger than 2cm
- Small incision: Tiny cut in back to reach kidney directly
- Stone removal: Special instruments break and remove stone
- Hospital stay: 2-3 days usually needed
Why Choose Our Ajmer Clinic for Kidney Stone Treatment?
At Agrawal Clinic's kidney stone center, we offer:
- Complete diagnosis: All tests under one roof
- All treatment options: From medicine to advanced laser surgery
- Pain management: Effective relief for stone pain
- Prevention plans: Personalized to stop stones from coming back
- Experienced care: 15+ years specializing in stone treatment
Preventing Future Kidney Stones
After treatment, we help you prevent stones from returning:
1. Drink More Water
- Drink enough so your urine is light yellow
- Aim for 2.5-3 liters daily (about 8-10 glasses)
2. Dietary Changes
- Reduce salt: Less than 2,300mg sodium daily
- Limit animal protein: Moderate meat, fish, eggs
- Calcium from food: Dairy products help prevent stones
- Limit oxalate foods: Spinach, nuts, chocolate in moderation
3. Medications When Needed
- For patients with frequent stones
- Tailored to your specific stone type
- Regular follow-up to check effectiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are kidney stones dangerous?
While very painful, most kidney stones are not dangerous if treated properly. However, large stones blocking urine flow can damage kidneys if left untreated.
2. How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
Small stones (less than 5mm) usually pass in 1-2 weeks. Larger stones may need treatment to remove them.
3. Can diet really prevent kidney stones?
Yes, dietary changes can reduce stone risk by 50% or more. Drinking enough water is the most important prevention step.
4. Are kidney stone treatments painful?
Modern treatments are designed to minimize pain. We provide effective pain management during and after procedures.
5. Will I get stones again?
About 50% of people get another stone within 5-7 years. Our prevention plans help reduce this risk significantly.
Next Steps if You Suspect Kidney Stones
If you have kidney stone symptoms:
- Drink plenty of water to help small stones pass
- Visit our Ajmer clinic for proper diagnosis
- Get appropriate treatment based on stone size and location
- Follow prevention advice to stop stones from returning
Don't suffer through kidney stone pain. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide quick relief and prevent complications.
For more information on urinary health, read our guide on how to maintain a healthy urinary system naturally.
To your kidney health,
Dr. Vishnu Agrawal
(Senior Urologist, Laparoscopic Surgeon & Andrologist)
📞 Call: +91 82409 70287
📍 Clinic Address: Agrawal Clinic,
4/172, Gyan Marg, Makarwali Road,
Near Vinayak Complex, Panchsheel Nagar,
Ajmer, Rajasthan – 305004
Consultation Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
🌐 Website: www.drvishnuagrawal.in
