Sudden Pain? What Causes Kidney Stones & Medical Next Steps

Sudden, sharp pain in your side or lower back can be alarming. One common cause is kidney stones. If you're wondering what causes kidney stones, you're not alone. Millions of people experience them each year, and while they can be extremely painful, they are also very treatable.

Understanding what causes kidney stones, how they form, and what to do next can help you act quickly and protect your health.

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What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Your kidneys filter waste from your blood and turn it into urine. When certain substances in your urine become too concentrated, they can stick together and form crystals. Over time, those crystals can grow into stones.

Stones can stay in the kidney or move into the urinary tract. Pain often starts when a stone moves and blocks urine flow.

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What Causes Kidney Stones?

If you're asking what causes kidney stones, the answer usually involves a mix of diet, hydration, genetics, and medical conditions. Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances than your body can dilute.

Here are the most common causes:

1. Not Drinking Enough Water

Dehydration is one of the biggest risk factors.

When you don't drink enough fluids:

• Your urine becomes more concentrated.
• Minerals like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid can stick together.
• Crystals form more easily.

People who live in hot climates, exercise heavily, or simply don't drink enough water are at higher risk.

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2. High Levels of Certain Substances in Urine

Different substances can lead to different types of stones.

The most common types include:

• Calcium stones (most common)

  • Often made of calcium oxalate
  • Can be linked to high oxalate foods, excess sodium, or certain metabolic conditions

• Uric acid stones

  • More common in people who eat high amounts of red meat or shellfish
  • Also linked to gout and diabetes

• Struvite stones

  • Often caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs)

• Cystine stones

  • Rare and usually caused by a genetic condition

So when considering what causes kidney stones, it's important to understand that not all stones are the same.

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3. Diet Choices

Certain dietary habits can increase risk, especially when combined with low fluid intake.

Risk factors include:

• High sodium (salt) intake
• High animal protein consumption
• Excess oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate)
• Very high vitamin C supplementation

Importantly, cutting calcium completely is not usually recommended. In fact, normal dietary calcium may help reduce stone risk.

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4. Family History and Genetics

If a close family member has had kidney stones, your risk increases. Some inherited conditions affect how your body processes minerals, raising your chances of forming stones.

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5. Medical Conditions

Certain health issues make stones more likely, including:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Gout
• Digestive diseases (such as Crohn's disease)
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Recurrent urinary tract infections

Some medications can also increase the risk.

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Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The pain from kidney stones is often described as one of the most intense types of pain. However, small stones may cause little to no discomfort.

Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin
• Pain that comes in waves
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blood in the urine (pink, red, or brown)
• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms and want to understand whether they could be related to kidney stones, try this free Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) symptom checker to get personalized insights before your doctor's visit.

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When Is It an Emergency?

While many kidney stones pass on their own, some situations require urgent medical care.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

• Fever and chills (possible infection)
• Severe, unbearable pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficulty urinating
• Signs of dehydration
• A single functioning kidney

An infected, blocked kidney can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Do not ignore severe symptoms.

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How Doctors Diagnose Kidney Stones

If you see a doctor, they may recommend:

• Urine tests to check for infection or high mineral levels
• Blood tests to assess kidney function
• Imaging tests, such as CT scans or ultrasounds, to locate the stone

Imaging helps determine the size and position of the stone, which guides treatment decisions.

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Medical Next Steps: Treatment Options

Treatment depends largely on the size and location of the stone.

Small Stones (Often Pass on Their Own)

If the stone is small, your doctor may recommend:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Pain management medications
• Medications to relax the ureter (to help pass the stone)

Many small stones pass within a few days to a few weeks.

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Larger Stones or Complications

If the stone is too large to pass or is causing complications, treatment options may include:

• Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL)
  Uses sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces.

• Ureteroscopy
  A small scope is inserted to remove or break up the stone.

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
  A minimally invasive surgery for very large stones.

Your doctor will choose the safest option based on your specific situation.

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How to Reduce Your Risk

If you're concerned about what causes kidney stones and want to prevent them, there are practical steps you can take.

Stay Hydrated

• Aim for enough fluids to produce clear or pale yellow urine.
• Water is best.
• Increase intake during hot weather or exercise.

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Adjust Your Diet

Depending on your stone type, your doctor may recommend:

• Reducing sodium
• Moderating animal protein
• Avoiding excessive oxalate-rich foods
• Maintaining normal dietary calcium

Never make extreme dietary changes without medical advice.

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Manage Underlying Conditions

• Keep diabetes under control.
• Treat gout properly.
• Address recurrent infections quickly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

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Can Kidney Stones Cause Long-Term Damage?

Most kidney stones do not cause permanent damage if treated promptly. However:

• Repeated stones can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease.
• Untreated blockages with infection can be dangerous.
• Severe cases may impair kidney function.

That's why early evaluation is important.

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The Bottom Line

If you're experiencing sudden pain and wondering what causes kidney stones, the answer usually involves dehydration, diet, genetics, or underlying health conditions. While the pain can be intense, kidney stones are common and manageable with proper care.

Do not ignore severe symptoms. If you have intense pain, fever, vomiting, or trouble urinating, seek urgent medical care.

If your symptoms are milder but concerning, consider using a free online Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) symptom checker to better understand what might be happening.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor about any symptoms that could be serious or life-threatening. Early medical guidance can relieve pain, prevent complications, and help reduce your risk of future stones.

Taking action today can protect your kidneys for years to come.