What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when minerals and salts crystallize inside the urinary system. They may remain in the kidney or move into the ureter, the narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder.

Some small stones pass naturally. Larger stones or stones blocking urinary flow may cause severe pain, infection, bleeding, or kidney damage and can require active removal.

Common Kidney Stone Symptoms

Kidney stone symptoms can begin suddenly and may change as the stone moves. Common signs include:

• Severe pain in the side or back
• Pain spreading to the lower abdomen or groin
• Pain occurring in waves
• Blood in the urine
• Pain or burning during urination
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Difficulty passing urine
• Fever or chills when infection is present

Small stones inside the kidney may cause no symptoms and may be discovered during imaging for another condition.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones can develop when urine becomes concentrated or contains an imbalance of stone-forming and stone-preventing substances.

Risk factors include:

• Inadequate fluid intake
• Hot weather and heavy sweating
• High sodium consumption
• Diets high in certain animal proteins
• Family or personal history of kidney stones
• Obesity
• Gout
• Recurrent urinary infections
• Digestive diseases or intestinal surgery
• Parathyroid disorders
• Structural urinary abnormalities
• Certain medications and supplements

Stone prevention depends on the stone type and the patient’s urine and blood test results.

Types of Kidney Stones

Calcium Stones

Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are common. Their development may be influenced by hydration, sodium intake, metabolic conditions, and urinary chemistry.

Patients should not automatically eliminate dietary calcium without medical guidance. An excessively low-calcium diet can sometimes increase the risk of certain stones.

Uric Acid Stones

Uric acid stones may be associated with concentrated or persistently acidic urine, gout, metabolic conditions, and diets high in certain animal proteins.

Some uric acid stones may respond to medication that changes urinary acidity.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones can develop in association with certain urinary infections. They may grow quickly and can require stone removal together with infection treatment.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones are caused by an uncommon inherited condition. Patients may experience repeated stones and require long-term specialist management.

Kidney Stone Diagnosis in Busan

A urologist may review the location and severity of pain, urinary symptoms, previous stones, medications, diet, and medical history.

Testing may include:

• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• Blood tests
• Kidney function testing
• Ultrasound
• Abdominal X-ray
• Low-dose non-contrast CT scan
• Stone composition analysis
• Twenty-four-hour urine testing for recurrent stones

CT imaging can provide detailed information about the stone’s location and size, but the appropriate imaging method depends on pregnancy status, age, symptoms, and clinical urgency.

Kidney Stone Treatment Options

Observation and Natural Passage

Small stones without severe infection, uncontrolled pain, or significant obstruction may pass naturally. The doctor may recommend hydration guidance, pain medication, urine straining, and follow-up imaging.

Drinking excessive amounts of water during severe obstruction is not recommended unless directed by a physician.

Medical Expulsive Therapy

Medication that relaxes the ureter may be prescribed for selected patients to support stone passage. Suitability depends on stone size, location, symptoms, and medical history.

Pain and Nausea Management

Kidney stone pain can be intense. Prescription medication may be used to control pain, inflammation, and nausea while the stone passes or before a procedure is performed.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Shock wave lithotripsy uses externally generated energy to break a stone into smaller fragments that may pass through the urinary tract.

Suitability depends on the stone’s size, location, density, anatomy, and the patient’s health. More than one session may sometimes be necessary.

Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy

A thin scope is passed through the urinary tract to locate the stone. Laser energy may then break the stone into fragments, which can be removed or allowed to pass.

A temporary ureteral stent may be placed to support urinary drainage during recovery.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy may be recommended for large, complex, or branching kidney stones. The surgeon accesses the kidney through a small opening in the back to remove the stone.

This procedure usually requires anesthesia and hospital care.

Emergency Urinary Drainage

A stone blocking urine in the presence of infection is a medical emergency. A ureteral stent or nephrostomy tube may be required to drain the kidney before definitive stone removal.

Can Kidney Stones Pass Naturally?

Whether a stone will pass depends mainly on its size, location, shape, and the patient’s anatomy. Small stones near the bladder generally have a better chance of passing than larger stones located higher in the ureter.

Follow-up imaging is important even when pain improves. Pain can decrease while obstruction remains.

Kidney Stone Treatment for International Patients

Busan offers urology clinics and hospitals for international patients requiring kidney stone evaluation or removal in Korea. Depending on the facility, English-language assistance may be available for imaging, admission, procedures, prescriptions, and follow-up.

Patients should bring:

• Previous CT, ultrasound, or X-ray images
• Urine and blood test results
• Information about previous stones
• A list of medications and supplements
• Details of medication allergies
• Information about blood-thinning medication
• Previous stone analysis results
• Relevant kidney or urinary surgery records

Patients taking blood thinners must not stop them without instructions from the prescribing physician and treating urologist.

Kidney Stone Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery depends on whether the stone passes naturally or requires a procedure. Aftercare may include:

• Taking prescribed medication
• Using a urine strainer
• Monitoring urine color and volume
• Attending follow-up imaging
• Returning for stent removal
• Drinking an appropriate amount of water
• Following temporary activity restrictions
• Seeking care if fever or severe pain develops

Patients with a ureteral stent must confirm when and where it will be removed. A stent should not be forgotten after leaving Korea.

Preventing Future Kidney Stones

Prevention should be based on stone composition and metabolic evaluation. General recommendations may include:

• Drinking enough fluid to produce pale urine
• Reducing excessive sodium intake
• Maintaining normal dietary calcium
• Moderating certain animal proteins
• Managing gout, diabetes, and body weight
• Avoiding excessive doses of selected supplements
• Increasing dietary citrate when medically appropriate
• Completing a stone analysis
• Undergoing 24-hour urine testing for recurrent stones

Some patients require preventive medication based on their blood or urine results.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

Consultation, laboratory testing, and imaging may often be arranged promptly when symptoms are active. The treatment timeline depends on stone size, obstruction, infection, and the selected procedure.

Patients undergoing lithotripsy or ureteroscopy may need follow-up imaging and possible stent removal. International patients should allow enough time in Busan for postoperative review before traveling.

Kidney Stone Treatment Cost in Busan

The total cost may depend on:

• Urology consultation
• Urine and blood testing
• Ultrasound, X-ray, or CT imaging
• Prescription medication
• Shock wave lithotripsy
• Ureteroscopy and laser treatment
• Ureteral stent placement and removal
• Percutaneous stone surgery
• Anesthesia and hospitalization
• Follow-up imaging

An individualized estimate can be provided after imaging confirms the stone’s size, location, and complexity.

When Should You Seek Emergency Care?

Seek urgent medical attention for:

• Fever or shaking chills
• Severe or uncontrolled pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Inability to urinate
• Reduced urine output
• Significant weakness or confusion
• Pain with a single functioning kidney
• Kidney stone symptoms during pregnancy
• Worsening pain with urinary infection symptoms

A blocked and infected kidney can become life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a kidney stone pass without surgery?

Yes. Some small stones pass naturally with monitoring, pain management, and appropriate medication. Larger or obstructing stones may require a procedure.

Does drinking water remove a kidney stone?

Appropriate hydration supports urinary health, but water alone may not remove a large or obstructing stone. Excessive intake during severe obstruction can worsen discomfort.

Is kidney stone treatment painful?

Treatment is designed to relieve stone-related pain. Procedures may involve anesthesia or sedation, while temporary soreness, urinary burning, or stent discomfort can occur afterward.

Will I need a ureteral stent?

Not every patient needs one. A stent may be placed after ureteroscopy or when swelling, obstruction, infection, or urinary drainage is a concern.

Can kidney stones return?

Yes. Recurrence is common in some patients. Stone analysis, blood testing, and 24-hour urine testing can help guide personalized prevention.

Can international patients receive kidney stone treatment in Busan?

Yes. International patients can receive imaging, medication, lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, surgery, hospitalization, and follow-up care in Busan.