Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a hard deposit of minerals that forms inside the kidney. Kidney stone symptoms usually start with sudden, severe pain in the side or back that comes in waves. Most small stones pass on their own with fluids and pain control.

What Is It

Stones form when urine has too much calcium, oxalate, or uric acid and not enough water. They cause pain when they move into the narrow tube that drains the kidney. Not drinking enough, a high salt diet, and a family history raise your risk. Summer heat brings more cases.

Symptoms

Sharp pain in the side or back, below the ribs
Pain that comes in waves and spreads to the lower belly or groin
Pain or burning when you pee
Pink, red, or brown urine
Nausea and vomiting
Needing to pee often, or only a little at a time

Not sure it’s a kidney stone? A kidney infection also causes side pain, but it usually comes with fever and chills. Pain on the lower right side that keeps worsening may be appendicitis. Read more about abdominal pain.

Treatment

At your visit: A urine test checks for blood and infection, and pain and nausea are treated. IV fluids may help when you are dehydrated or vomiting. A stone that is too large to pass or is blocking the kidney needs a urologist or emergency care.

At home:

Drink enough water to keep your urine pale yellow
Take over the counter pain relievers as directed
Use a heating pad on your side or back
Strain your urine to catch the stone so it can be tested

Small stones usually pass within a few days to a few weeks.

When to Get Care for Kidney Stones

Watch at Home

A known small stone with pain controlled by home medicine
You can drink and keep fluids down
No fever, and you are peeing normally

Come to Urgent Care Today

Sudden side or back pain that comes in waves
Blood in your urine with side pain
Pain not controlled by over the counter medicine
Nausea, but you can still keep fluids down
A stone that has not passed after a few weeks

Go to the Emergency Department

Stone pain with fever and chills, which can mean a blocked, infected kidney
Vomiting for hours, and you cannot keep fluids down
Unable to pee at all
Pain so severe you cannot sit still or find relief
Stone pain with only one working kidney, or during pregnancy

FAQ

What are the first signs of a kidney stone?

The first sign of a kidney stone is usually sudden, sharp pain in the side or back below the ribs. The pain comes in waves and can spread to the lower belly or groin.

Where is kidney stone pain located?

Kidney stone pain usually starts in the side or back, just below the ribs. As the stone moves down, the pain often shifts to the lower belly and groin.

How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?

Passing a kidney stone usually takes a few days to a few weeks. Stones smaller than 5 millimeters often pass on their own, while larger stones may need a urologist.

What are the signs of passing a kidney stone?

Signs of passing a kidney stone include pain moving toward the groin, a strong urge to pee, and burning when you pee. Pain often eases suddenly once the stone leaves the bladder.

Can urgent care treat kidney stones?

Yes, urgent care can treat kidney stone pain. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can test your urine and help with pain and nausea. No appointment or referral is needed.

When is a kidney stone an emergency?

A kidney stone is an emergency when it comes with fever and chills, you cannot pee, you cannot keep fluids down, or the pain cannot be controlled. Fever can mean a blocked, infected kidney.

Last reviewed October 2026