Kidney stone education
Pain is a reason to assess, not a diagnosis
Side or back pain can have several causes. Urinary stones may cause pain that comes in waves or moves towards the groin. Urine changes and nausea can occur too. A consultation and suitable investigations establish what is happening.
Know the urgent signs
Fever with urinary symptoms, uncontrolled pain, persistent vomiting or difficulty passing urine needs urgent medical attention. Do not wait for an appointment request to be answered.
Bring the information you already have
Take previous imaging and prescriptions to your assessment. Mention when pain began, whether it changes, and any history of stones. Do not delay urgent care to gather paperwork.
This information is intended for general education and does not replace individual medical evaluation. A procedure described here may not be suitable for every patient.
Further patient information