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What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are solid lumps or crystals that develop from materials in your kidneys, such as salts, minerals, and acids. They can range in size from tiny to enormous. Nephrolithiasis or renal calculi are other names for kidney stones.

You might not even be aware that you have a kidney stone, depending on its size. Without causing any symptoms, smaller stones may pass through your urinary tract in your urine. Large kidney stones may become trapped in your ureter.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), severe pain, and kidney damage can all be avoided with timely kidney stone therapy. Kidney damage or renal failure may result from kidney stones that enlarge, become trapped in the urinary tract, or obstruct urine flow if treatment is not received. In addition to reducing the need for more intrusive procedures like surgery, early intervention helps to relieve symptoms and stop the growth of stones. Early intervention, such as medication, lifestyle modifications, and surgery, can preserve kidney function and improve results.

What are the Common Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stone symptoms include:

  • Pain in your lower back, belly or side (flank pain)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloody pee
  • Pain when you pee
  • Inability to pee
  • Feeling the urge to pee a lot
  • Fever or chills
  • Cloudy or foul-smelling pee

Causes, Risk Factors and Complications of Kidney Stones

Causes

  • Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid than the fluid in your urine can dilute.
  • At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.

Risk Factors

Types of kidney stones

  • Calcium-oxalate and calcium phosphate stones: When you consume low-calcium or high-oxalate diets and don't drink enough water, calcium-based stones may develop.
  • Uric acid stones: Uric acid stones can develop from eating animal proteins, such as fish, poultry, pig, eggs, and beef.
  • Struvite stones: Struvite stones can be brought on by bacterial infections.
  • Cystine stones: Cystine stones are caused by a genetic disorder known as cystinuria. Two cysteine amino acids are joined to form the compound cysteine.

Complications

Kidney stones may increase your risk of:

  • An obstruction that causes your kidneys to enlarge by backing urine up into them (hydronephrosis).
  • Inflammation of the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
  • One form of kidney failure that may be curable is acute renal injury.
  • Recurrent UTIs (urinary tract infections).
  • CKD, or chronic kidney disease.

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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Kidney Stones

  • Compared to conventional procedures, recent studies have shown that flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) offers the benefits of less trauma, a faster recovery, and fewer complications in the treatment of kidney stones because of the advancements in endoscopic equipment and minimally invasive technologies.

Kidney Stones Prevention Tips

Your risk of kidney stones may be influenced by what foods and drinks you consume. A few of the guidelines to follow to Reduce the risk of kidney stones:

  • Consuming a lot of water.
  • Restricting the use of animal proteins.
  • Limiting salt and sugar-rich foods.
  • Limiting oxalate-rich foods.
  • Consumption of foods high in calcium.

Treatment options for Kidney Stones

Kidney Stone Removal: Ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are two methods for removing kidney stones. A small tube is inserted through the urethra and bladder into the ureter or kidney during ureteroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to remove or break down kidney stones. Large kidney stones can be surgically removed with a percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which is performed under imaging guidance through a tiny back incision.


Cost Start From USD 2500 - USD 3500Explore Options

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): Using sound waves to produce powerful vibrations known as shock waves, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) breaks up the stones into little fragments that can be eliminated through urine.


Cost Start From USD 200 - USD 500Explore Options

Your doctor may perform the following diagnostic tests and procedures if they think you have a kidney stone:

  • Blood testing: Your blood may have excessive uric acid or calcium levels, according to blood tests.
  • Urine testing: The 24-hour urine collection test results may indicate that you are excreting either too few chemicals that prevent stones or too many minerals that cause them.
  • X-ray (KUB - Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder): Offers a basic picture of the kidneys and urinary tract stones.
  • Ultrasound: Non-invasive and frequently used to find stones, particularly in pregnant women or young children.
  • CT Scan: Offers the most detailed view and is the gold standard for detecting kidney stones, including size, location, and type.

The goals of kidney stone rehabilitation are to control symptoms, stop recurrence, and enhance general kidney health:

  • Hydration: Consuming a lot of liquids aids in the removal of minor stones and stops the formation of new ones.
  • Dietary modifications: Reducing salt, foods high in oxalate, or animal protein, for example, can help avoid kidney stones by modifying the diet according to the kind of kidney stones.
  • Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help keep the kidneys healthy overall and facilitate the transit of smaller stones.

A healthcare professional may recommend or prescribe medications if your kidney stone is self-resolving and not causing infection to:

  • To aid in the passage of stones, relax your ureter.
  • Control your nausea and vomiting.
  • Manage pain conditions

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Hospitals for Kidney Stones in India

Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali

Ghaziabad, India

  • Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Ghaziabad, is a leading multi-speciality hospital with 387+ beds and 37+ clinical specialities, offering advanced care in Cardiology, Neuro Sciences, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Transplants, Gastroenterology, and Reconstructive Surgery.
  • Supported by 389+ doctors and 1038+ trained staff, the hospital combines state-of-the-art technology, including robotic surgery and advanced imaging systems, with compassionate, patient-centred care.
  • Accredited by NABH and NABL, Max Vaishali is a trusted destination for both domestic and international patients seeking high-quality, integrated medical services.
MGM Healthcare: Top Doctors, and Reviews
MGM Healthcare

Chennai, India

There are a wide variety of healthcare facilities and specialized, targeted treatments provided by MGM HealthCare. Some of its most prominent services are listed below:

Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support:  Well renowned for having the third-highest number of heart transplants in a year (102) and also the successful completion of several other transplant surgeries and cardiac surgeries.

Cardiac Sciences: They offer a variety of screening tests and facilities including Tilt Table Test, Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting, CT Angiography, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Stress Echocardiogram, Cardiac Stress Test and Cardiac Catheterisation.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology: They provide all services to ensure a woman’s well-being. Some of the services offered are Menstrual Cramps Treatment, Colposcopy, Myomectomy, Vaginal Hysterectomy, Breastfeeding Support, Ovarian Cyst Removal, Menopause Management, Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC), and Menorrhagia Treatment.

Orthopedics: Bilateral Knee Replacement, Total hip Replacement, and Knee Arthroscopy are all the procedures that are offered in this department.

Liver Transplantation: An exceptionally skilled team of professionals who have performed over 4,000 liver transplant surgeries and an operation theatre and ICU specifically dedicated to HBP surgery is available at the patient’s disposal.

Emergency Medicine: MGM Healthcare has a fully functioning facility dedicated to emergency medicine that operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 

Oncology: The patients will be in the safe hands of well-trained medical personnel qualified in the field of oncology and specialize in procedures like Bowel resection surgery, Biopsy, Lumpectomy, Liver Resection Surgery, Lung Cancer resection surgery, Lymph Node Surgery, and Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. They also provide cancer treatments like Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, and Targeted Therapy.

Anaesthesiology and SICU: They specialize in the field of local, general and regional anesthesia and work to assist doctors during surgical procedures.

Neurosciences and Spine: The doctors in this department handle difficult procedures like Brain Tumour Surgery, Spine Reconstructive Surgery, Neuro Surgeries, and Spine Surgeries with the utmost ease and professionalism. They also have a specific area dedicated to Neuroanaesthesia and NeuroCritical Care.

Do visit the environment-friendly medical facility in Chennai and experience medical excellence.

Max Hospital, Gurgaon: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Max Hospital, Gurgaon

Gurgaon, India

  • Max Hospital Gurugram is a leading multi-speciality healthcare centre in Haryana, renowned for its advanced clinical expertise and patient-focused care.
  • Established in 2007, it is part of the trusted Max Healthcare network and has treated over 500,000 patients across 35+ specialities.
  • The hospital is equipped with modern medical technology, internationally trained doctors, and superior clinical infrastructure.
  • Known for its excellence in Cardiology, Oncology, Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Gastroenterology, and Women & Child Care, Max Hospital is a preferred choice for both domestic and international patients seeking high-quality treatment with compassionate care.

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Why Choose India for Kidney Stones Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing India:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors, JCI, and NABH-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in Indian hospitals is cost-effective.
  • Indian hospitals provide International patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drink lots of water to flush out your kidney stone if your doctor believes it will go away. As directed by your physician, take any prescribed medication as directed, and abide by their dietary and drink instructions.

Sixty per cent of kidney stones larger than 6 mm and ninety per cent of kidney stones smaller than 6 mm pass on their own. You will require a procedure to break up and/or remove a kidney stone if it is large or obstructing your urine flow. Smaller stones that were supposed to pass by themselves can occasionally expand or shift, blocking the flow.

In India, kidney stones are typically successfully treated, particularly with innovative surgical techniques and modern medical technology. Depending on the size and location of the stones, non-invasive procedures such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) have success rates of 85–90%. When carried out by skilled professionals, the success rate for operations such as ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) can reach 90–95%. Overall, the results are favourable, with lifestyle modifications, appropriate therapy, and early detection helping control the condition and avoid recurrence.

You are more likely to get kidney stones again and develop chronic renal disease if you have already had kidney stones.

The size and location of the stone affect how long it takes. While larger stones can take longer or necessitate medical intervention, smaller stones might go away in a few days.

A stone that becomes lodged may cause excruciating pain, infection, or obstruction, necessitating medical assistance to break or remove it.

The length of recovery varies according to the type of surgery. Recovery times can range from a few days for less invasive operations like ureteroscopy to a few weeks for more invasive treatments like percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Following removal or passage, a stone may be sent for analysis to ascertain its composition (such as uric acid or calcium oxalate), which aids in directing preventative measures.