What should I do if I think I have a kidney stone?

If you think you have a kidney stone, contact a healthcare professional for advice. Drink water if you can keep it down, and seek urgent care if the pain is severe or you have concerning symptoms.

Go to the emergency room if you have severe pain, fever, chills, vomiting that prevents drinking fluids, trouble urinating, fainting, or blood in the urine with weakness or worsening symptoms.

Small kidney stones often pass on their own with hydration and pain control, but you should still get medical advice to confirm the diagnosis and rule out complications.

Drink enough water to stay well hydrated unless a doctor has told you to restrict fluids. If you are vomiting or cannot keep fluids down, seek medical care.

Over-the-counter pain relievers may help, but you should follow the package directions and avoid medicines that are unsafe for you. A clinician can recommend the best option based on your health history.

Blood in the urine can happen with kidney stones, but it can also have other causes. You should contact a healthcare professional for evaluation.

Many small kidney stones pass on their own over time. Larger stones may not, and some stones need medication or a procedure to remove them.

Kidney stone pain is often sudden, severe, and comes in waves, sometimes with nausea or urinary symptoms. Because other conditions can cause similar pain, medical evaluation is important.

Fever, chills, feeling very ill, or burning with urination can suggest infection. An infected kidney stone can be serious and needs urgent medical attention.

Yes, if a clinician advises it, straining urine can help catch a stone for testing. This can help determine the stone type and guide prevention.

If you can tolerate food, you may eat normally, but drink fluids as tolerated. If nausea or vomiting is present, focus on medical evaluation and hydration as advised by a clinician.

Make an appointment as soon as possible if you suspect a kidney stone, especially if symptoms are new, recurrent, or not improving. Prompt evaluation can prevent complications.

It can be appropriate to watch and wait for a small stone if a clinician says it is safe. You still need follow-up, and you should seek urgent care if symptoms worsen.

A doctor may order urine tests, blood tests, and imaging such as a CT scan or ultrasound. These tests help confirm the stone and check for blockage or infection.

Dehydration can make urine more concentrated and may worsen discomfort or stone formation. Staying hydrated is important unless you have been told otherwise.

Light activity may be okay if you feel able, but do not push yourself through severe pain or dizziness. Rest and medical evaluation are more important if symptoms are significant.

Yes, many people can reduce their risk by drinking enough water and following medical advice based on the stone type. A clinician may recommend diet changes or medications.

Inability to urinate can be an emergency, especially with pain or fever. Seek urgent medical care right away.

They can be, especially if they cause blockage, infection, or severe dehydration. Most stones are treatable, but prompt evaluation is important.

Tell the doctor when the pain started, where it is, how severe it is, whether you have blood in the urine, fever, vomiting, trouble urinating, and any history of kidney stones or medical problems.