Kidney Stone Clinic

A kidney stone can cause anything from mild discomfort to sudden, severe pain, particularly when it moves into the urinary tract. At Nanavati Max Hospital's Kidney Stone Clinic in Mumbai, nephrologists, urologists, anaesthesiologists, and other supporting specialists work together to evaluate, diagnose, and treat kidney stones. The clinic also assesses the metabolic factors that may contribute to stone formation, helping develop a treatment and prevention plan suited to each patient's medical needs. 

Why Patients Choose Nanavati Max for Kidney Stone Care

Metabolic Evaluation for Stone Formation

The Kidney Stone Clinic evaluates the metabolic profile of patients to identify factors contributing to stone formation. This assessment helps the medical team plan treatment and preventive measures according to the patient's individual needs.

Multidisciplinary Kidney Stone Care

The clinic brings together nephrologists, urologists, anaesthesiologists, and other support staff to provide coordinated evaluation and treatment for kidney stone conditions.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Facilities

The Nanavati Max Institute of Renal Sciences & Transplant provides specialised facilities for the evaluation and treatment of kidney stones, including ultrasound, KUB, and lithotripsy.

Multiple Treatment Approaches

Depending on the size, location, and characteristics of the stone, treatment may include shock-wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, laser-assisted stone removal, or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. The appropriate approach is selected based on the patient's clinical condition.

Focus on Treatment and Prevention

The Kidney Stone Clinic combines stone treatment with assessment of factors that may contribute to stone formation, helping address both the existing condition and measures that may reduce the risk of recurrence. 

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones may not cause symptoms while they remain within the kidney. Symptoms can develop when a stone moves into the ureter or interferes with urine flow.

Common symptoms include:

• Severe or sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen or groin
• Pain or burning while passing urine
• A frequent or persistent urge to urinate
• Blood in the urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine in some cases

Pain from a kidney stone can sometimes be confused with other causes of abdominal, flank or back pain. Medical evaluation can help determine whether a stone or another condition is responsible.

What Causes Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form when certain minerals and salts in urine become concentrated and crystallise. Calcium, oxalate and uric acid are among the substances that can contribute to stone formation.

Factors that may increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones include:

• Low fluid intake and dehydration
• High dietary salt intake
• Certain dietary patterns
• Family history of kidney stones
• Overweight or obesity
• Some metabolic or medical conditions
• Certain urinary tract conditions and infections
• Previous kidney stones

The factors involved can differ between individuals and according to the type of stone. This is why understanding the cause of recurrent or multiple stones can be an important part of long-term management.

How Kidney Stones Are Diagnosed

Diagnosis begins with a review of your symptoms, medical history and physical examination. The doctor may recommend imaging to identify the stone and assess its location and size.

Depending on the clinical situation, investigations may include:

• Ultrasound KUB to assess the kidneys, ureters and bladder
• CT imaging where more detailed assessment is required
• Urine tests to identify abnormalities that may contribute to stone formation
• Blood tests to assess kidney function and relevant metabolic factors
• Metabolic evaluation in appropriate patients, particularly when recurrent or multiple stones require further assessment

The exact investigations recommended depend on your symptoms, medical history and suspected cause of the stone. Nanavati Max's renal sciences service includes ultrasound KUB among its diagnostic facilities, while the Kidney Stone Clinic specifically states that it evaluates the metabolic profile of patients for stone causation.

Treatment Options for Kidney Stones

Treatment depends on the stone's size, location, symptoms, effect on urine flow, and the patient's overall health. Some smaller stones may pass without a procedure and can be managed with appropriate medical treatment and monitoring. Stones that are large, obstructive, symptomatic or unlikely to pass may require active removal.

Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may include:

• Medical management and observation for selected stones that are likely to pass naturally
• Shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which uses externally generated shock waves to break selected stones into smaller fragments that can pass through the urinary tract
• Ureteroscopy, where a thin scope is passed through the urinary tract to reach and remove or fragment a stone
• Laser-assisted stone removal, which uses laser energy to break stones into smaller fragments during endoscopic treatment
• Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), a minimally invasive procedure in which the stone is accessed through a small opening in the skin and removed or fragmented, generally for selected larger or more complex kidney stones

The most appropriate approach is decided after assessing the stone's characteristics and the patient's symptoms, medical history, and overall health.

Cost of Kidney Stone Treatment in Mumbai

The cost of kidney stone treatment varies from one patient to another. It may depend on:

• Whether the stone can be managed conservatively or requires a procedure
• The size, number and location of the stones
• The treatment approach recommended
• Diagnostic investigations required before treatment
• Anaesthesia and related medical care
• Whether hospitalisation or postoperative observation is required

For an individualised estimate, the recommended treatment and associated requirements can be discussed with the treating specialist after evaluation.

Planning Your Visit

If you are consulting the Kidney Stone Clinic for the first time, bring any previous imaging, laboratory reports, prescriptions and relevant medical records. A list of your current medicines can also help the doctor understand your medical history.

If you have already been diagnosed or advised to undergo kidney stone treatment elsewhere, you can seek a second opinion and share your existing reports and scans with the specialist team. Nanavati Max's Kidney Stone Clinic provides an expert second-opinion pathway for patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do kidney stones start?

Kidney stones develop when certain minerals and salts in urine become concentrated and form crystals. These crystals can gradually grow into stones. Calcium, oxalate, and uric acid are among the substances that can contribute to stone formation.

2. Is kidney stone removal painful?

The experience varies according to the treatment used and the individual patient. Several modern approaches to stone treatment are minimally invasive or non-invasive, including ESWL and ureteroscopy. The appropriate method depends on the size and location of the stone and other clinical factors.

3. What foods should I avoid if I have kidney stones?

Dietary advice depends on the type of kidney stone and the factors contributing to its formation. General measures may include maintaining adequate fluid intake and avoiding excessive salt. For some patients, dietary changes involving oxalate or animal protein may also be recommended.

There is no single kidney stone diet that is suitable for everyone. Your doctor may recommend dietary changes based on your stone analysis, medical history and metabolic evaluation.

4. Can I prevent kidney stones from coming back?

The risk of recurrence can often be reduced by addressing factors that contribute to stone formation. Adequate fluid intake, appropriate dietary changes and management of underlying metabolic or medical conditions may help.

At the Kidney Stone Clinic, metabolic evaluation is used to identify factors associated with stone formation and guide an individualised prevention plan where appropriate.

5. When should I see a doctor about kidney pain?

You should seek medical evaluation for severe or persistent pain in the back, side or abdomen, particularly if it is accompanied by blood in the urine, difficulty passing urine, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms may occur with kidney stones but can also indicate other urinary conditions that require assessment. Book your appointment today.