Anyone who has passed a kidney stone knows how painful the experience can be. And once you have had one, the possibility of experiencing another can be frustrating.
The good news is that kidney stones are often manageable, and there are steps you can take to lower your risk of recurrence. Prevention, however, works best when it is tailored to why your stones formed in the first place.
At Kidney Hypertension & Transplant Specialists in San Antonio, our nephrology team provides personalized kidney care, including evaluation and management of kidney stones. Our goal is not simply to help you get through one episode. It is to help you understand your stone risk and protect your kidney health over the long term.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when certain minerals and substances in your urine become concentrated enough to form crystals. Those crystals can gradually grow into stones.
A stone may remain in the kidney without causing symptoms. Problems often occur when a stone moves into the ureter, the narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. A stone can obstruct urine flow and cause significant pain.
Common symptoms can include:
- Sharp pain in the back or side
- Pain that radiates toward the abdomen or groin
- Pain that comes and goes in waves
- Nausea or vomiting
- A frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Pain with urination
- Blood in the urine
- Difficulty urinating
A fever or chills alongside suspected kidney stones can be particularly concerning because an obstructed urinary tract combined with infection can become a medical emergency.
Why Do Kidney Stones Form?
Kidney stones develop when there is an imbalance between substances that promote crystal formation and the factors that normally keep those substances dissolved in urine.
One of the biggest contributors is concentrated urine. When you do not drink enough fluids, there is less water available to dilute minerals and other substances in your urine.
Other risk factors can include:
- A personal or family history of kidney stones
- Dehydration
- A diet high in sodium
- High intake of animal protein
- Certain dietary patterns
- Some medical conditions
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Gout
- Certain medications or supplements
- Conditions affecting calcium metabolism
- Problems with urinary flow
San Antonioโs hot climate can also make hydration especially important. Sweating and fluid loss can leave urine more concentrated, increasing the risk of stone formation. Kidney Hypertension & Transplant Specialists identifies inadequate fluid intake and the dry heat of the southern United States among kidney stone risk factors.
The Most Common Types of Kidney Stones
Not every kidney stone forms for the same reason. Knowing your stone type can make prevention much more specific.
Calcium Stones
Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone. They are frequently made of calcium oxalate, although calcium phosphate stones can also occur.
Their formation can be influenced by urine calcium, oxalate, citrate, sodium, and other factors.
Importantly, having calcium-based stones does not necessarily mean you should eliminate calcium from your diet. In many cases, getting an appropriate amount of calcium from food is preferable to unnecessarily restricting it. Your healthcare provider can recommend the right approach based on your specific stone risk.
Uric Acid Stones
Uric acid stones are associated with acidic urine and can occur more frequently in people with conditions such as gout or metabolic syndrome.
Dietary factors, particularly high intake of certain animal proteins, may contribute to uric acid stone risk.
Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are associated with certain urinary tract infections. These stones can sometimes grow quickly and become quite large.
Preventing and appropriately treating the underlying infection is an important part of managing this type of stone.
Cystine Stones
Cystine stones are much less common and are associated with an inherited condition that causes cystine to accumulate in the urine.
Because cystine stones are linked to genetics, people who develop them may need specialized, long-term prevention strategies.
Why Hydration Is One of the Most Important Prevention Steps
If there is one everyday habit that deserves particular attention after a kidney stone, it is staying adequately hydrated.
Drinking enough fluid increases urine volume and helps dilute substances that can form crystals.
Your fluid needs are not identical to someone elseโs. They can vary based on your body size, activity level, climate, medical conditions, medications, and kidney function.
For people living in San Antonio, hydration deserves extra attention during hot weather or periods of increased physical activity.
Rather than waiting until you feel thirsty, make regular fluid intake part of your daily routine. Your healthcare provider can give you a more specific fluid goal based on your health and stone history.
Watch Your Sodium Intake
Too much sodium can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine, which may contribute to calcium stone formation.
Reducing sodium is therefore an important part of kidney stone prevention for many people.
Start by paying attention to foods that can contain surprisingly large amounts of sodium, including:
- Processed meats
- Fast food
- Restaurant meals
- Canned soups
- Salty snacks
- Packaged convenience foods
- Many sauces and condiments
Reading nutrition labels and preparing more meals at home can make it easier to control your sodium intake.
Your Diet Should Depend on Your Stone Type
There is no universal โkidney stone diet.โ
For example, someone prone to calcium oxalate stones may receive different dietary recommendations from someone with uric acid stones.
Depending on your individual risk factors, your care team may discuss:
- Sodium intake
- Animal protein
- Oxalate-rich foods
- Dietary calcium
- Fluid intake
- Citrate-rich foods
- Calcium or vitamin supplements
- Other dietary factors
The practiceโs kidney stone services emphasize personalized management and prevention based on individual circumstances.
This is important because overly restrictive diets can create their own nutritional problems. The goal is not to eliminate every food that has ever been associated with kidney stones. It is to identify the factors that matter most for your type of stone.
What Happens After You Have a Kidney Stone?
If you have passed a stone, do not assume the problem is permanently behind you.
Kidney stones can recur. Your previous stone is valuable information because testing can help determine what contributed to its formation.
Depending on your history, your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests, urine testing, imaging, or analysis of a stone that you passed or had removed.
A more detailed metabolic evaluation may be particularly useful if you have:
- Recurrent kidney stones
- Multiple stones
- A family history of stones
- Stones at a young age
- Certain medical conditions
- A single functioning kidney
- Complications from previous stones
Understanding your risk factors can turn prevention from general advice into a specific plan.
Can Recurrent Kidney Stones Damage Your Kidneys?
A single small stone that passes without complications does not necessarily mean you will develop kidney damage.
However, recurrent or complicated stones can create problems. A stone that blocks urine flow can place pressure on the urinary system, and obstruction combined with infection can be particularly serious.
Repeated episodes, persistent obstruction, infections, or other complications may threaten kidney function.
That is why recurrent stones should not simply be treated as an inconvenience. They are a reason to look more closely at your kidney and urinary health.
Kidney Hypertension & Transplant Specialists provides nephrology care for kidney stones as well as chronic kidney disease and other conditions affecting kidney health.
When Should You See a Kidney Specialist?
Not every kidney stone requires ongoing nephrology care. Some stones can pass on their own, while larger or obstructing stones may require treatment by a urologist.
A nephrologist can be particularly helpful when the focus is understanding why stones keep forming and protecting kidney function.
Consider discussing a specialist evaluation if you have:
- Recurrent kidney stones
- Multiple stones over time
- A strong family history
- Abnormal kidney function
- One functioning kidney
- Repeated urinary tract infections
- A metabolic condition associated with stone formation
- Stones associated with other kidney problems
- Difficulty preventing new stones despite lifestyle changes
The right specialist may depend on your situation. Urologists commonly address the physical removal or procedural treatment of stones, while nephrologists evaluate kidney health and metabolic factors contributing to stone formation.
When Is a Kidney Stone an Emergency?
Seek urgent medical attention if you have suspected kidney stones along with:
- Fever or chills
- Severe or worsening pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Difficulty or inability to urinate
- Significant blood in the urine
- Signs of infection
- Symptoms that are rapidly worsening
An obstructing stone can prevent urine from draining properly. If infection is present at the same time, prompt treatment is essential.
Breaking the Kidney Stone Cycle
If you have had a kidney stone, it is understandable to focus on getting through the pain and moving on.
But the period after a stone is also an opportunity.
You can ask:
Why did this happen?
What type of stone was it?
What can I change to reduce my risk?
Do I need additional testing?
Could an underlying health condition be contributing?
The answers can help you move from treating one stone to preventing the next one.
At Kidney Hypertension & Transplant Specialists, our team takes a personalized approach to kidney care. Our nephrology services include kidney stone management, kidney disease care, hypertension management, fluid management, kidney ultrasounds, chronic care management, and other services designed to support long-term kidney health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones
Can drinking more water prevent kidney stones?
Adequate hydration can help reduce the concentration of substances that form stones and is one of the most important general prevention strategies. Your ideal fluid intake depends on your individual health and circumstances.
Are kidney stones caused by eating too much calcium?
Not necessarily. Calcium stones are common, but dietary calcium and calcium supplements are not the same thing. Some people may actually benefit from maintaining an appropriate amount of calcium in their diet. Your recommendations should be based on your specific stone type and metabolic risk factors.
What foods should I avoid if I have kidney stones?
There is no single list of foods everyone with kidney stones needs to avoid. Sodium, animal protein, oxalate, calcium, and other dietary factors can play different roles depending on the type of stone. A personalized dietary plan is generally more useful than eliminating foods unnecessarily.
Does drinking lemon water prevent kidney stones?
Citrus fruits contain citrate, which can help inhibit the formation of certain kidney stones. However, lemon water should not be considered a guaranteed prevention strategy or a substitute for medical evaluation. Your overall hydration and individual stone risk matter.
Can kidney stones cause kidney failure?
Most kidney stones do not lead directly to kidney failure. However, recurrent stones, persistent obstruction, infections, or other complications can damage the kidneys. People with recurrent or complicated stones should discuss their kidney health with a medical professional.
What is the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist for kidney stones?
Both specialists can be involved in kidney stone care, but their roles are different. Urologists commonly treat the physical stone itself, including procedures to remove or break up stones. Nephrologists focus on kidney health and the metabolic or medical factors that contribute to stone formation and recurrence.
Can kidney stones come back after treatment?
Yes. Having one kidney stone increases the likelihood of developing another. The best way to reduce recurrence is to identify your risk factors and follow a prevention plan tailored to your stone type and health.
Should I see a nephrologist after just one kidney stone?
Not everyone needs nephrology care after a single uncomplicated stone. However, specialist evaluation may be appropriate if you have recurrent stones, abnormal kidney function, significant risk factors, a family history, or other kidney concerns.
Kidney Care, With Beyond Passion
A kidney stone may be painful, but it can also be a warning to pay closer attention to your kidney health.
If you are tired of repeating the cycle of stone formation, evaluation and prevention can make a difference. The right plan may involve hydration, dietary changes, sodium reduction, medical treatment, monitoring, or additional testing based on your individual risk.
At Kidney Hypertension & Transplant Specialists, our San Antonio nephrology team provides personalized care for kidney stones and a wide range of kidney conditions.
Kidney care, with beyond passion.
Learn More About Our Kidney Care Services
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