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

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Kidney Stones
Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common health concern affecting around 2-3% of the population globally. They can range in size – from as small as a grain of sand to as big as a golf ball. While small kidney stones can pass without medical treatment, larger ones may require surgery to prevent blocking the flow of urine.

Dr Michael Wong
Medically reviewed by Dr Michael Wong, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Urologist
FAMS (Urology), FICS (USA), FRCS (Edinburgh), M Med (Surgery), MBBS (S’pore)
Dr Michael Wong with Prof James Lingerman
Dr Michael Wong was invited to join the faculty at the USA National Congress 2018. He is seen here with Prof James Lingeman whom he did a fellowship in Endourology in 1994.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are more common among older men, but reports of women contracting this condition are increasing nowadays. Having this condition can be a painful and uncomfortable ordeal. 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 the
Signs & 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.

Others are larger and may cause a blockage in the ureter, interrupting the normal flow of urine. In such cases, the following symptoms may be experienced:

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
Seek immediate medical attention if the following symptoms are present:
Debilitating pain that is felt even while resting
Inability to urinate
Blood in the urine
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
If you have symptoms of kidney stones, consult our urologist for lasting relief from kidney stones today.
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What Causes Kidney Stones?

If you are experiencing most of the symptoms listed above, then you most likely have kidney stones. However, what could have caused it?

Also known as Renal Calculus, this condition usually occurs when normal chemicals in urine that typically prevent this condition, have stopped working. Moreover, your diet plays a large part in the situation – what you eat and drink may actually cause the formation of stones in your bladder and kidneys.

Some foods that can cause this condition include:
Foods high in oxalate such as beets, okra, chocolate, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soybean crackers, rhubarb, and spinach
High intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy products
Nevertheless, this condition is more often caused by other underlying health problems, such as an enlarged prostate. Here are some health problems that are known to cause kidney stones:
Metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism, hyperuricosuria, Cystinuria, and hyperoxaluria
Kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases
Hereditary diseases such as renal tubular acidosis – a condition wherein the kidneys fail to acidify the urine
Inflammation of the bladder or Urinary tract infection – this can increase the chances of stones forming within the urinary tract
Prostate gland enlargement – If a man’s prostate is enlarged, it can disrupt the normal flow of urine within the urinary tract
Damaged Neurogenic bladder – this may hinder the normal flow and release of urine from the bladder

What Are The
Different 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.

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:
Kidney Stones Paper Cut

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.

How to Prevent
Kidney Stones Formation

Drinking enough fluids is a primary preventive method. Doctors recommend drinking enough fluids to pass about 2.5 litres of urine a day. Doing so can help urine to be less concentrated and reduce the risks of kidney stone formation.

It is also good to reduce the amount of salt in your diet as this can lead to high levels of urine calcium and cystine. High-sodium food, including cheese, processed meats, frozen and canned food, and certain condiments should also be avoided. Another preventive measure is having calcium-rich foods such as non-dairy milks and products in your diet plan as these do not contribute to the formation of kidney stones. However, calcium supplements do increase your risk of kidney stones, so intake should be carefully regulated. Eating fruits and vegetables rich in potassium and fibre can help reduce the formation of kidney stones. You should also manage eating foods with high levels of oxalate like chocolates, spinach, black pepper and soy products.

Maintaining a healthy weight can be a preventive factor, but seek advice from your healthcare provider for a proper diet plan as high-protein and crash diets can cause kidney stones.

What Are the
Available Treatments for Kidney Stones?

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. Here are several treatments employed to remove them:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a procedure that uses shock waves in the treatment of kidney stones in the bladder. These shock waves break down stones into small pieces.

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery

Retrograde Internal 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.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure known as stone extraction. PCNL is a treatment technique for larger stones.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a non-invasive surgical procedure that uses small incisions to treat the condition.

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.

The treatment of kidney stones is one of the services offered by our kidney clinic. We also offer other specialised urology services and treatments including ESWL, retrograde intrarenal surgery, and laparoscopy.

If you suspect that you are suffering from this condition and it is affecting your day-to-day activities, do give us a call or set an appointment with kidney stones doctor, Dr Michael Wong at +65 6838 1212 today.

Woman Holding Her Pee

What Are the First Signs of
Passing a Kidney Stone?

Smaller stones may be asymptomatic and naturally pass from the body through the urine without any discomfort. Large stones, on the other hand, can cause a blockage in the ureter, resulting in severe pain.
Some common symptoms of kidney stones are:

Blood in the urine

Frequent urination

Difficulty in voiding

Painful urination

Nausea or vomiting

Fever, chills or sweating

Sharp pain in the lower back and lower abdomen

What Is the Best Way to
Relieve Kidney Stone Pain?

In some suitable cases, kidney stone doctors may prescribe pain medication and alpha-blockers for faster passage of stones. In cases of severe pain or obstruction, your doctor may perform certain procedures to either break down the stone into smaller parts to be passed out from the body or to extract larger stones.

An example of a kidney stone surgery is a ureteroscopy, which involves passing a small telescope through the bladder and ureter to locate and remove the stones.

Your kidney health matters. Trust Dr Michael Wong, our kidney stones specialist, to provide the care you need.
Book your consultation now for personalised and effective treatment.
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How Long Does
Kidney Stone Pain Last?

Waves of severe pain (renal colic) tend to last for 20 to 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.

Will the Stones Go Away Without Any
Kidney Stones 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.
Let us help you
Restore your urological health.
Make an appointment with Dr Michael Wong to receive a tailored, supportive and targeted care plan.
Office Location
3 Mount Elizabeth Road, #10-09,
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
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Tel
: (65) 6838 1212
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: (65) 6838 1218
Fax : (65) 6838 1216
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: (65) 6535 8833
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri
:
9:00am - 1:00pm
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sat
:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Sun/PH
:
Closed