Kidney Stones Treatment in Singapore

Q: How long does kidney stone pain last?

Waves of severe pain, also known as renal colic, tend to last for 20 to 60 minutes. The pain may initially affect the flank or lower abdomen before moving to the groin area. While the intensity may change, it is unlikely to disappear unless properly assessed and treated.

Q: Can kidney stones go away without treatment?

Many kidney stones can pass on their own without treatment. However, larger stones may cause significant pain or urinary obstruction and may require treatment by a urologist to break apart or remove the stones.

Language:

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common health concern affecting around 2–3% of the global population. They can cause sudden, severe pain when they move through the urinary tract or block the flow of urine. Larger stones can even become lodged in the urinary tract and require medical treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. At our kidney clinic, we provide comprehensive diagnosis and personalised kidney stone treatment to help maintain your urinary health.

Dr Michael YC Wong, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Urologist

FAMS (Urology), FICS (USA), FRCS (Edinburgh), M Med (Surgery), MBBS (Singapore)

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallise and clump together. These stones can form due to factors like diet, excess weight, medical conditions and certain medications. Having this condition can be a painful and uncomfortable ordeal. Kidney stones are more common among older men, but reports of women contracting this condition are increasing nowadays. Thankfully, there are several treatment options that are readily available.

Here at our kidney clinic, we specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones; on top of a wide range of treatment services for disorders and diseases concerning the urological system.

What Are theSigns & Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones vary in size. Some are so small that they do not cause any symptoms and can be passed naturally out of the body through the urine.
Larger stones, however, may become lodged in the urinary tract and block the normal flow of urine.

The First Signs of Passing a Kidney Stone Are Symptoms Such As:

Pain and discomfort or burning sensation while urinating

Pain in the sides, back, lower abdomen and groin

Urinating more frequently than usual

Dark-coloured or abnormally cloudy urine

Foul-smelling urine

When to SeekUrgent Medical Attention for Kidney Stones

While some kidney stones can pass without treatment, larger stones or those causing an obstruction may lead to complications if left untreated. These can include persistent urinary obstruction, urinary tract infections, kidney damage or, in severe cases, reduced kidney function. Prompt medical assessment helps relieve symptoms and reduces the risk of these complications.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Severe pain that does not improve or prevents you from resting

Inability to urinate

Blood in the urine

Nausea and vomiting that prevent you from keeping fluids down

Fever or chills, which may indicate a urinary tract infection requiring urgent treatment

Get your symptoms assessed before they worsen.
Consult our urologist for a prompt assessment and personalised treatment plan if you are experiencing persistent kidney stone symptoms or any of these warning signs. Early treatment may help relieve pain, prevent complications and protect your kidney health.

Call Us

Enquire Here

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones develop when minerals and salts in the urine become concentrated and crystallise. This can occur due to a combination of dietary habits, dehydration, certain medical conditions, urinary tract abnormalities and inherited disorders. Common contributing factors include:

Dietary Factors

A diet high in oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, okra, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soybean crackers and chocolate), excessive sodium or animal protein intake may increase the risk of certain types of kidney stones. However, diet alone is not usually the sole cause.

Metabolic Disorders

Conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, hyperuricosuria, hyperoxaluria and cystinuria can alter the balance of minerals in the urine, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.

Kidney Disorders

Certain kidney conditions, including cystic kidney diseases, may affect normal kidney function and increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

Hereditary Diseases

Inherited conditions such as renal tubular acidosis and cystinuria can change the composition of urine, making kidney stones more likely to develop.

Urinary Tract Infection

Certain bacterial urinary tract infections can promote the formation of struvite stones, which may grow rapidly if left untreated.

Enlarged Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may obstruct urine flow, increasing urinary stasis and the risk of stone formation.

Neurogenic Bladder (Bladder Emptying Problems)

A neurogenic bladder is a condition in which nerve damage affects the bladder's ability to store or empty urine normally. When urine remains in the bladder for prolonged periods, it can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

What Are TheDifferent Types of Kidney Stones?

Calcium Oxalate

It is the most common type of kidney stone that develops when calcium mixes with high-level oxalate (a natural chemical found in foods) in the urine. This is formed due to insufficient calcium and fluid intake.

Uric Acid

This is developed from food with high levels of protein (meat and shellfish) that produce chemical compounds known as purines in the body, which create monosodium urate. This type of kidney stone may form in people who have diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as those with genetic factors that put them at higher risk for this condition.

Struvite

This is a less common type of kidney stone caused by bacteria from urinary tract infection (UTI), which grows and expands quickly and affects the urinary tract, sometimes with few symptoms and no warnings.

Cystine

It is a rare type of kidney stone that is developed in families with a hereditary disease called cystinuria, which causes a chemical called cystine to leak in the urine.

Take the first step towards lasting relief by scheduling a consultation with our urologist.

Early diagnosis allows timely treatment, helping to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and guide the most appropriate kidney stone treatment for your condition.

Call Us

Enquire Here

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

At the onset of symptoms, a kidney stones doctor should be consulted to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. Aside from checking the patient’s medical and family history, the doctor may order tests, which include:

Blood Testing

This determines if your kidneys are working properly and if there are high levels of calcium or uric acid in your blood, resulting in kidney stones.

Urine Testing

This test requires collecting urine samples at the kidney stones treatment clinic for 24 hours to show whether your urine is infected and contains blood or minerals that can form kidney stones.

Image Testing

An X-ray, CT scan or MRI is conducted to determine the location, size and number of kidney stones present. The result can help decide the most suitable kidney stone treatment, which may range from medication to kidney stone surgery.

Take the first step towards lasting relief by scheduling a consultation with our urologist.

Early diagnosis allows timely treatment, helping to relieve symptoms, prevent complications and guide the most appropriate kidney stone treatment for your condition.

Call Us

Enquire Here

What Kidney Stone Treatments Are Available at Our Clinic?

Kidney stones treatment will depend on the type of stone and the severity of the symptoms. If you have detected them early while they are still small, you can simply drink more water, more regularly. This is usually enough to get rid of them naturally.

However, if the stones are already too large to pass naturally, its treatment will then involve breaking them down into smaller pieces or removing them via kidney stone surgery by your kidney specialist.

At our clinic, we offer a range of kidney stone treatments tailored to the size, location and type of stone, as well as the severity of your symptoms.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure that uses targeted shock waves to break down kidney stones into smaller fragments, making them easier to pass through the urinary tract.

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is a kidney stones surgery procedure done through a fibre-optic endoscope. The fibre-optic endoscope can pinpoint the location of kidney stones for removal.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure known as stone extraction. PCNL is a kidney stone removal technique for larger stones in the kidney or upper ureter.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopic kidney stone surgery may be recommended when stones cannot be safely or effectively treated using less invasive techniques. Through several small incisions, specialised instruments are used to access and remove the stone while minimising damage to surrounding tissues.

Laser Lithotripsy

Laser Lithotripsy is a procedure done mostly in the lower ureteral stones using a ureteroscope. The ureteroscope breaks the stones into tiny pieces. These will eventually exit the body.

How to Prevent Kidney Stones Formation

While not all kidney stones can be prevented, adopting healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce your risk of developing new stones or experiencing a recurrence. Your urologist may also recommend preventive measures based on the type of kidney stone you have.

To help lower your risk:

Drink enough fluids to produce around 2.5 litres of urine each day.

Reduce your salt intake by limiting processed, canned and high-sodium foods.

Consume an appropriate amount of calcium from food, and only take calcium supplements if recommended by your doctor.

Moderate foods high in oxalate, such as spinach, rhubarb, chocolate and soy products, if you are prone to calcium oxalate stones.

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid crash diets or excessive animal protein intake.

Manage underlying medical conditions and attend regular follow-up appointments if you have had kidney stones before.

Don't LetKidney Stones Affect Your Quality of Life

Kidney stones can range from causing mild discomfort to severe pain and urinary obstruction. Seeking prompt medical attention can help relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment based on the size, location and type of stone.

Here at the International Urology, Fertility, and Gynaecology Centre, we offer comprehensive evaluation and a full range of minimally invasive and surgical treatment options to relieve symptoms, preserve kidney function and reduce the risk of recurrence. Dr Michael YC Wong, our senior consultant urologist, has extensive experience diagnosing and treating kidney stones, providing personalised care tailored to each patient's condition and treatment goals.

Take the first step towards lasting relief by booking a consultation with Dr Michael Wong today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones

How long does kidney stone pain last?

Waves of severe pain (renal colic) tend to last for 20–60 minutes, initially affecting the flank or lower abdomen before moving to the groin area. While the intensity of pain may change over time, it is unlikely to disappear unless properly assessed and treated by a specialist at a kidney stones clinic.

What is the best way to relieve kidney stone pain?

Pain relief depends on the size and location of the kidney stone. Small stones may be managed with pain medication, hydration and medications that help relax the ureter. Larger stones or those causing obstruction may require procedures such as ESWL, laser lithotripsy or other minimally invasive treatments.

Can kidney stones go away without treatment?

Most kidney stones will actually pass on their own without treatment. However, in cases of larger stones, the pain may prove too much to tolerate without seeking prompt medical attention. You may need to consult a kidney stones treatment clinic, especially if the stones do not pass and cause a urinary obstruction. A kidney stones urologist may perform certain procedures to break apart or remove the stones.

How long does it take to recover from kidney stone treatment?

Recovery depends on the type of treatment performed. Many patients recover within a few days after minimally invasive procedures such as ESWL or ureteroscopy, while larger procedures such as PCNL may require a longer recovery period. Your urologist will advise you based on your treatment and overall health.

How painful is the treatment for kidney stones?

Most kidney stone procedures are performed under anaesthesia or sedation to minimise discomfort. It is common to experience mild pain, burning during urination or temporary discomfort afterwards, but these symptoms usually improve over the following days and can often be managed with prescribed medication.

Are there any side effects to kidney stone treatment?

Side effects vary depending on the treatment performed but may include temporary blood in the urine, mild pain, bruising or discomfort during urination. Less commonly, infection, bleeding or ureteral injury may occur. Your urologist will discuss the potential risks and appropriate aftercare before treatment.

Meet Our Kidney Stone Specialist in Singapore

Dr Michael YC Wong

Medical Director & Senior Consultant Urologist

FAMS (Urology), FICS (USA), FRCS (Edinburgh),

M Med (Surgery), MBBS (S'pore)

Dr Michael YC Wong is a senior consultant urologist with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones. He provides comprehensive care for patients with both simple and complex conditions, tailoring treatment plans according to the size, location and type of kidney stone, as well as each patient's overall health and treatment goals.

Dr Wong is committed to achieving effective treatment while minimising recovery time. He also works closely with patients to reduce the risk of future kidney stone recurrence through appropriate follow-up care and preventive strategies.

Let us help you

Restore your urological health.

Make an appointment with Dr Michael Wong to receive a tailored, supportive and targeted care plan.