Kidney stones

Need to know

• What are the symptoms of kidney stones? icon plus

  Kidney stones are quite common, usually affecting people aged between 30 and 60. They tend to affect men more than women. Some of the symptoms and signs of kidney stones include:

  • aching in your loin (flank)
  • non-visible blood in your urine
  • infection in your urine
  • ureteric colic (severe pain as a stone passes down from your kidney to your bladder)

  Sometimes, a stone can get close to your bladder. If this happens, your symptoms may include: 

  • a constant need to urinate
  • burning when you pass urine
  • pain at the tip of your penis or urethra (waterpipe)
  • visible blood in your urine

• How are kidney stones diagnosed? icon plus

  To make a kidney stone diagnosis, your consultant will take your medical history and discuss your symptoms with you. They are likely to carry out a CT scan or a renal ultrasound scan may also ask you to carry out urine and bloods tests. If you are diagnosed with kidney stones, HCA UK has the facilities and expertise to help.

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  We are experts in kidney care and are well-equipped to provide a range of kidney stone treatment options. Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. They might include:

  • Lithotripsy. This non-invasive treatment uses a high-intensity sound wave to break the kidney stones up into smaller pieces, so you can pass them naturally.
  • Ureteroscopy. This minimally-invasive procedure uses a thin, semi-rigid telescope to find and break up kidney stones.
  • Ureterorenoscopy. This procedure uses a pencil-thin, flexible telescope to find and break up kidney stones.
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This involves surgery to remove larger stones by approaching them through the back, using an X-ray as a guide.