Kidney stone pain can be shocking—one moment you’re fine, the next you’re doubled over. If you live in South India (hot climate, long days outdoors), you’re not alone; dehydration and diet patterns here can raise the risk. This guide explains what stone pain feels like and where, who is more likely to form stones, why stones happen, what to change in your lifestyle (by stone type), and when to seek medical help. Treatment options are mentioned where relevant, with links to more information on RIRS, URS and PCNL.

How kidney stone pain feels—and what pain location can mean

• Flank or side pain (below the ribs): Often the first sign when a stone blocks urine flow in the kidney or top of the ureter. Pain can be severe, crampy (colicky), and come in waves.

• Back to groin radiation: As the stone moves down the ureter, pain may travel from the side/back to the lower abdomen and groin.

• Lower abdomen, testicular or vulvar pain: Lower-ureter stones can refer pain to the genital area or inner thigh.

• With urination symptoms: Burning, urgency, frequency, or blood in urine can appear at any stage.

• Red flags (urgent care needed): Fever/chills, persistent vomiting, inability to pass urine, severe pain not settling with medicines, single functioning kidney, pregnancy, or known kidney disease.

Pain location helps your clinician estimate where the stone is, but imaging is needed to confirm size and position.

“Do I have a stone?” — Symptoms & first tests

Common symptoms: sudden severe side pain, waves of pain, nausea/vomiting, burning urination, visible or microscopic blood in urine, frequent urination, or difficulty passing urine.

Typical evaluation:

• Urine tests: routine analysis and urine culture (to rule out infection).

• Blood tests: kidney function (creatinine, electrolytes).

• Imaging:

  • Ultrasound is radiation-free and useful initially.

  • Low-dose CT KUB is very sensitive and often used to plan treatment when needed.

  • A plain X-ray (KUB) may show some stones (not uric-acid stones).

If a stone is confirmed, your urologist will discuss observation/medical therapy or procedures such as laser RIRS, URS, or PCNL based on size, location and your health.

Who is more likely to form stones? (“Stone former” profile)

You may be at higher risk if you have:

• Low fluid intake / high sweat losses (hot climates like Chennai, outdoor work, sports).

• Family history or previous stones.

• High salt intake, very high animal protein, low dietary calcium, or frequent sugary beverages.

• Metabolic issues: obesity, insulin resistance/diabetes, gout, hyperparathyroidism.

• Digestive conditions or surgery (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery) causing malabsorption.

• Recurrent UTIs, especially with urease-producing bacteria.

• Certain medicines/supplements: high-dose vitamin C, topiramate, loop diuretics, prolonged high-dose vitamin D with calcium, etc.

• Anatomical urinary tract narrowing or abnormalities.

If you’ve had more than one stone, your doctor may suggest a metabolic evaluation (blood tests + 24-hour urine) to tailor prevention.

Why stones happen (in brief)

Urine carries minerals and waste. When it becomes concentrated (not enough water) or imbalanced (too much stone-forming substances or too little inhibitors like citrate), crystals can grow into stones. The common types are calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite (infection-related), and cystine (rare, genetic).

Lifestyle guidance based on stone type

Always individualise with your clinician—especially if you have heart/kidney conditions. Targets below are general and may be adjusted.

For most stone formers (any type)

• Fluids: Aim for urine output of ≥2–2.5 L/day; in hot Chennai weather, many need ~3 L/day spread across the day (and a glass at bedtime).

• Salt (sodium): Keep it low—about 1.5–2 g sodium/day (≈4–5 g salt).

• Maintain normal dietary calcium: Do not drastically cut calcium—get 1,000–1,200 mg/day from food (curd, paneer, milk, ragi with calcium, etc.). Low calcium can increase oxalate absorption.

• Weight & activity: Keep active; gradual weight optimisation helps reduce risk.

Calcium oxalate stones (most common)

• Pair oxalate with calcium foods at meals to bind oxalate in the gut.

• Moderate high-oxalate foods: spinach, beetroot, nuts, sesame, chocolate, strong tea; portion control rather than total avoidance for most people.

• Citrate boost: lemon/lime water, fruits/veggies; your doctor may prescribe potassium citrate if indicated.

Uric acid stones

• Alkalinise urine: more fruits/vegetables; your doctor may add alkali (e.g., potassium citrate) to target urine pH.

• Reduce purines: limit red meat, organ meats, certain seafood; moderate animal protein overall.

• Hydration & weight management are essential; some may need allopurinol (medical decision).

Struvite (infection) stones

• Prompt UTI treatment and, if needed, procedures to clear stones completely. Long-term prevention focuses on infection control.

Cystine stones (rare, genetic)

• Very high fluid intake (often >3–3.5 L/day, including a nighttime glass) plus urine alkalinisation; specialised medications may be advised by your urologist.

When lifestyle isn’t enough—how procedures fit in

Even with good habits, some stones need intervention due to size, location, obstruction, or ongoing infection. Your urologist may discuss:

• RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery): flexible scope and laser inside the kidney via the natural urinary passage (commonly day-care).

• URS (Ureteroscopy): clears stones in the ureter with a thin scope; laser fragmentation as needed.

• PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): keyhole access through the back for larger or complex stones.

The choice depends on stone size/location, your anatomy, infection status, other illnesses, and medicines (e.g., blood thinners).

Practical daily checklist (Chennai-friendly)

• Fill a 1-litre bottle three times a day; finish one by noon, one by 5 pm, and one by bedtime (adjust for your doctor’s advice).

• Keep salt light in home cooking; watch hidden salt in pickles, packaged snacks, sauces.

• With meals that include spinach/greens, add curd/paneer or another calcium source.

• Swap sugary drinks for water, buttermilk, lime water; limit colas.

• Aim for 30 minutes of movement most days.

• If you’ve had stones before, ask about 24-hour urine testing to personalise prevention.

When to reach out to a urologist

• Severe side/flank pain that doesn’t settle, blood in urine, burning urination with fever, persistent vomiting, or difficulty passing urine.

• You have one functioning kidney, are pregnant, have diabetes/kidney disease, or recurrent UTIs.

• Repeated stones or stones in both kidneys (consider a metabolic work-up and tailored plan).

A note on care in Chennai

Assessment and management are available across the city, including Neelankarai (ECR) and Egmore. If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms or red-flag signs, please seek medical care promptly or consult a qualified urologist. For information on specific procedures, see: RIRS • URS • PCNL.

This article is educational and not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Your care plan should be decided with a clinician after proper evaluation.