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Kidney stones
- Dedicated Kidney Stones Clinic at The Harley Street Clinic
- Rapid diagnosis and treatment
- Minimally invasive surgical options
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KIDNEY STONES AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we’re experts at treating all types of kidney stones and have a dedicated consultant-led Kidney Stones Clinic led by Mr. Vimo Arumuham and Mr Marco Bolgeri. We offer fast access to our urology experts, who use blood and urine tests in combination with state-of-the-art imaging to provide you with a thorough and accurate diagnosis, with results delivered in as little as 48 hours.
Treatment is tailored to you, and ranges from pain relief to non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures. We constantly invest in the latest surgical equipment, including advanced digital endoscopic cameras and laser technologies, so our specialist teams can access and remove even the most complex kidney stone.
You’ll also receive a post-treatment follow up to help prevent and manage any underlying causes. It’s all part of the personalised and comprehensive care we provide.
Kidney stones are stone-like lumps that form in the kidney. They’re made up of mineral crystals from your urine. Sometimes, they can get stuck in the ureter (the tube from the kidney to the bladder), causing severe lower back pain and occasional blood in the urine.
Most kidney stones are small enough to pass out of the body naturally in urine. However, bigger kidney stones may require treatment.
Most kidney stones are small enough to pass out of the body naturally in urine. However, bigger kidney stones may require treatment.
Kidney stones are common, with approximately 15% of men and 10% of women developing them at some stage during their lives. They usually affect people aged between 30 and 60.
Very small kidney stones are unlikely to cause many symptoms and you may not even realise you have them. Some of the symptoms of larger kidney stones include:
- Lower back or groin pain
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary infections
- Nausea or vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Severe pain in your lower back or side (known as ureteric colic), which is caused by a stone blocking your urinary tract
- Pain in the tip of the penis
Your urine contains chemicals such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid. When you have too many of these chemicals in your urine and not enough liquid, they can start to stick together, forming crystals or stones. Kidney stones can take months or years to form.
Kidney stones typically look like small pieces of gravel and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and consistencies. Some can be soft and crumbly, while others can be very hard and solid. They’re named after the crystal from which they’re formed.
The four types of kidney stones are:
The four types of kidney stones are:
- Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones: These are the most common type of stone and can form when you have too much protein, salt and oxalate-rich foods in your diet and don’t drink enough fluids. Foods with high oxalate levels include nuts, chocolate, rhubarb, soya products and spinach.
- Struvite stones: These stones can grow very quickly and are caused by urine infections.
- Uric acid stones: Eating a diet high in purines, which are broken down into uric acid in the body, causes these stones. Foods with high level of purines in them include red meat, liver, kidneys, sardines, anchovies and shellfish.
- Cystine stones: Formed from an amino acid called cystine, these stones only affect people with a rare inherited condition called cystinuria.
35,000+
outpatient urology visits across HCA UK in 2024
11,000+
urology specific ultrasounds carried out in 2024
100+
urology consultants to choose from for your care
Next-day appointments
See a leading urologist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Choose from 9 hospitals and 4 diagnostic centres in London, Birmingham and Manchester
Worried you may have kidney stones?
Get in touch and book a same- or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
We’re happy to help. Just book in and one of our consultants will talk you through everything you need to know.
KIDNEY STONES TESTS AND SCANS AT HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
At HCA UK, our leading private hospitals and outpatient centres are equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology. To provide you with an accurate diagnosis, our urology specialists may refer you for one or more of the following:
- Blood test
- Urine test
- CT scan
- Renal ultrasound scan
TREATMENTS FOR KIDNEY STONES AT HCA UK
Expert care when you need it
At HCA UK, we offer a wide range of treatments for kidney stones. The treatment you’ll need will depend on the size and type of your kidney stone, as well as the severity of your symptoms. Your consultant will carefully tailor your treatment to you.
Treatment options include:
- Special diet plan
- Pain medication
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
- Ureteroscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
- Nephrostomy
- Ureteric stent
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Kidney stones FAQs
The main cause of kidney stones is usually not drinking enough fluids. It’s important to stay hydrated and drink water regularly throughout the day.
Small kidney stones may pass naturally out of your body with plenty of fluids, such as water, tea and coffee (you should avoid fizzy drinks). This can take a few weeks. You should cut down on your salt intake during this time.
If you’re experiencing pain or think you may have a urinary infection, then it’s best to see a GP or one of our urology consultants to get a proper diagnosis and treatment to help with your symptoms.
If you’re worried about your symptoms and would like to see a GP quickly, then we can help. We offer same- and next-day GP appointments.
If you’re experiencing pain or think you may have a urinary infection, then it’s best to see a GP or one of our urology consultants to get a proper diagnosis and treatment to help with your symptoms.
If you’re worried about your symptoms and would like to see a GP quickly, then we can help. We offer same- and next-day GP appointments.
You’re more at risk of getting recurrent kidney stones if you:
- Have a family history of kidney stones
- Have had several kidney or urinary infections
- Don’t drink enough fluids
- Have too much protein, salt or oxalate in your diet
- Are inactive or bed-bound
- Have had a kidney stone before, particularly before the age of 25
Certain medicines may increase your risk of developing recurrent kidney stones. These include:
- Aspirin
- Some antibiotics
- Antacids, which are used relieve indigestion and heartburn
- Diuretics, which are used to reduce fluid build-up
- Some antiretroviral medicines, which are used to treat HIV
- Some anti-epileptic medicines
Yes, we offer a non-surgical procedure called an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL).
ESWL uses a high-intensity sound wave to break kidney stones up into smaller pieces, so you can pass them naturally without pain or discomfort. You’ll be awake during the procedure, but we’ll give you pain medication to ensure you’re comfortable. The treatment typically takes 20-30 minutes and you’ll be able to go home shortly afterwards.
Your consultant will let you know if ESWL is a suitable treatment for your kidney stones.
ESWL uses a high-intensity sound wave to break kidney stones up into smaller pieces, so you can pass them naturally without pain or discomfort. You’ll be awake during the procedure, but we’ll give you pain medication to ensure you’re comfortable. The treatment typically takes 20-30 minutes and you’ll be able to go home shortly afterwards.
Your consultant will let you know if ESWL is a suitable treatment for your kidney stones.
We offer two types of surgical treatments:
- Ureterorenoscopy and laser stone fragmentation: A pencil-thin, flexible telescope (ureterorenoscope) is passed through the urethra (water pipe) to reach the ureter and kidney. A laser is used to break up the stone.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This is minimally invasive surgery, which is performed to treat the larger and more complicated kidney stones.
It depends on the treatment you have. If you’ve had ESWL, it should subside within a few days. If you’ve had a minimally invasive procedure, it can take a week or two. Your consultant will be able to advise you on this and they’ll also give you pain medication to keep you comfortable after your procedure.
Everyone is different and it depends on your recovery and the work you do. If you have a desk job, then you should be able to return to work within a week. If you have a physically demanding job, it may take up to a month. Your consultant will be able to advise you on this.
During your recovery, you should drink plenty of fluids and avoid any heavy lifting for a few weeks.
If you experience any persistent pain or signs of an infection, such as a fever, then you should contact us immediately.
During your recovery, you should drink plenty of fluids and avoid any heavy lifting for a few weeks.
If you experience any persistent pain or signs of an infection, such as a fever, then you should contact us immediately.
If you’ve developed a kidney stone, you’re at approximately a 50% risk of developing another stone within the next five to seven years. Therefore, it’s important that once you’ve had treatment for your kidney stone, you make any dietary and fluid intake changes recommended by your consultant. These will help reduce the chances of future recurrence.
To prevent kidney stones, it’s important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. You should check the colour of your urine, which should be clear or a pale yellow colour. If it’s dark, then you need to drink more water.
Your GP or consultant will be able to advise you on your diet. This may include reducing your sodium and protein intake, and being mindful of foods contain high levels or oxalate, such as nuts, spinach and chocolate. It’s also important to maintain a normal calcium intake by eating foods that contain calcium rather than taking supplements.
At HCA UK, we offer comprehensive care for kidney stones. If you have treatment with us, you’ll receive a post-treatment follow up with your chosen consultant to help prevent recurrence and manage any underlying causes.
Your GP or consultant will be able to advise you on your diet. This may include reducing your sodium and protein intake, and being mindful of foods contain high levels or oxalate, such as nuts, spinach and chocolate. It’s also important to maintain a normal calcium intake by eating foods that contain calcium rather than taking supplements.
At HCA UK, we offer comprehensive care for kidney stones. If you have treatment with us, you’ll receive a post-treatment follow up with your chosen consultant to help prevent recurrence and manage any underlying causes.
“Mr El-Husseiny has that rare quality of making you feel that you are in the hands of someone with outstanding technical expertise who also really cares about you and your experience as a patient.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.