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Urinary Tract Stones: Symptoms and Warning Signs

May 11 / 2026

Urinary Tract Stones

Chronic back and waist pain can be caused by many diseases, making them difficult to distinguish. 'Office Syndrome' is one condition people often mistake their symptoms for, but in reality, it could be 'Urinary Tract Stones.' This disease results from mineral crystals grouping into stones that obstruct the urinary tract. If the pain feels like sharp twisting in the back or on one side of the waist, accompanied by painful urination, cloudy urine, or blood, your body may be telling you it is 'time' to see a doctor to care for your kidneys.

Urinary Tract Stone Disease

Urinary Tract Stones (Urinary tract stones, Urolithiasis) is a disease caused by the accumulation of various types of hard mineral crystals into solid masses of various sizes. They can be found in several locations, ranging from the renal calyx or renal pelvis to the ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Causes of Kidney Stones

The incidence of stones depends on geographic factors, climate, ethnicity, diet, and genetics. The risk of recurrence is determined by underlying diseases or abnormalities that lead to stone formation. Urinary tract stones can be classified into various types.

Types of Stones

1. Classification by Composition

Stones with calcium as the main component: such as Calcium Oxalate stones and Calcium Phosphate stones.
Stones composed of other substances or elements: such as Uric Acid stones, Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate stones, and Cystine stones.

2. Classification by Cause

Non-infection stones: such as Calcium Oxalate, Calcium Phosphate, and Uric Acid stones.
Infection-related stones: such as Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate and Ammonium Urate.
Genetic defect stones: such as Cystine and Xanthine stones.
Drug-induced stones: such as stones from antiviral drugs (Indinavir) and anti-seizure medication (Topiramate).

Warning Signs of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones may or may not cause symptoms depending on their size and location. Patients usually experience symptoms when a stone obstructs the urinary tract or when complications arise.

Pain in the back or on one side of the abdomen: Often severe, sharp, and intermittent like menstrual cramps, but may last for hours or days.
- If it is a kidney stone: Pain may occur in the waist, flank, or radiate to the back.
- If it is a ureteral stone: Pain may occur in the lower abdomen or radiate to the testicles in men or the labia in women.

Abnormal Urination: Blood in urine, burning during urination, inability to urinate, or sometimes passing small stones or gravel with urine.
Nausea and vomiting.
Fever: Caused by secondary urinary tract infections.

Urinary Tract Stones

Treatment for Kidney Stones

Treatment depends on the type and size of the stone, including:

1. Non-Surgical Treatment

If the stone is very small, it may pass on its own by drinking plenty of water to flush it out through urination, or by using dissolution medication if the stone is of a dissolvable type.

2. Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is used for stones no larger than 2 cm. It uses shock waves to break the stone into pieces, which are then passed through urine. Patients may feel slight discomfort and should be treated closely by a skilled specialist.

3. Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy involves inserting a scope through the ureter to the stone and using tools to break it into small pieces for removal through urination.

4. Surgical Treatment

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) surgery is used when stones are large and other treatments have failed.

The surgeon makes a small incision of about 1-2 cm in the patient's back.
A nephroscope is inserted, followed by instruments to break the stone into small pieces to be easily removed through the small incision.
The resulting wound is small, offering faster recovery and significantly less pain compared to traditional open surgery.

Prevention of Kidney Stones

Drink 2.5 – 3 liters of water per day to maintain a urine output of 2.5 liters daily.
Consume an appropriate amount of calcium (1 – 1.2 g/day). If taking calcium supplements, take them with meals.
Avoid salty foods and reduce salt in meals (limit sodium chloride to 4-5 g/day).
Control intake of meat, milk, and butter (limit animal protein to 0.8 – 1 g/kg/day).
Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, and fiber to reduce the risk of stones.
Exercise and maintain a healthy body weight.
Reduce consumption of sweet foods and drinks.

Once again, let us take care of you

Because care and treatment are the 'hope' that shines warmly amidst the blue sky at twilight... Ramkhamhaeng Hospital wishes to be that hope that embraces your life. To ensure you do not feel downcast when looking at the sky, we want to care for you and your loved ones so you can continue to see the beauty of this world.