Kidney Stone Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is kidney stone treatment?
Kidney stone treatment is the range of approaches used to deal with a stone once it has been found, from waiting for a small stone to pass to a procedure that removes a larger one. The right approach depends on the size of the stone, where it sits in the urinary tract, how much pain it causes and whether it is blocking the flow of urine.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital in Sharjah, treatment starts with confirming the stone and understanding it, then choosing the least invasive option that is likely to clear it.
Who needs it
You may need kidney stone treatment if a scan has shown a stone, or if you have the typical symptoms: sharp pain in the side or back that comes in waves, pain spreading to the groin, nausea, or blood in the urine. Some stones cause no symptoms and are found by chance on a scan done for another reason.
Not every stone needs an active procedure. Many small stones move down and out on their own with time and fluids. Treatment becomes more likely when a stone is large, stuck, causing repeated pain, blocking a kidney, or linked to infection.
What happens
Care usually begins with pain relief and an assessment of the stone using urine tests, blood tests and imaging such as ultrasound or a CT scan. These show the size and position of the stone and whether the kidney is obstructed.
If the stone is small and well placed, you may be sent home to pass it, with pain relief and sometimes medication that relaxes the ureter to ease its passage. You will be asked to catch the stone if you can, so it can be analysed.
If the stone is too large to pass, or is causing a blockage, a procedure is discussed. Lithotripsy uses shock waves from outside the body to break a stone into fragments. A telescopic procedure passes a fine instrument up the urinary tract to fragment or remove a stone directly. Where a kidney is blocked and at risk, a temporary tube may be placed first to drain it and protect the kidney before the stone is dealt with.
Preparing for it
For an assessment, drink normally unless you are told otherwise, and bring any previous scans or a stone you have already passed. If a procedure is planned, your care team will tell you whether to stop eating and drinking beforehand, and will review your medicines, especially any blood thinners. Arrange for someone to take you home if sedation or anaesthetic is used.
Afterwards
After passing a stone or having a procedure, some discomfort, a small amount of blood in the urine, and a need to pass urine more often are common for a short time. Drinking plenty of water helps flush fragments through. If a temporary tube or stent was placed, you may feel it, and your team will arrange its removal.
Seek urgent care, or go to the emergency department, if you develop a high fever with chills, severe pain that pain relief does not control, repeated vomiting, or you become unable to pass urine at all. Fever with a known stone can signal an infected, blocked kidney, which needs treatment without delay.
Risks and limitations
Every approach has limits. A stone left to pass may not move, may take longer than hoped, or may cause pain that brings you back. Procedures carry a risk of bleeding, infection, and incomplete clearance where fragments remain and need further treatment. A stent can cause discomfort while it is in place. No single treatment prevents new stones from forming, which is why prevention matters as much as clearance. Your urologist will explain the likely outcome for your particular stone rather than a general figure.
Cost and insurance
Consultation, urine and blood tests and ultrasound are covered by most UAE insurance plans. Procedures such as lithotripsy or telescopic stone removal usually need pre-approval from your insurer, so it is worth starting that process early, as approval delays are common. Some plans limit the number of procedures or exclude certain items. Confirm your cover with our team on 06 599 7777 before treatment.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Will a kidney stone pass on its own?
Small stones often pass by themselves with plenty of fluids and pain relief, sometimes helped by medication that relaxes the ureter. Larger stones or those causing a blockage usually need a procedure, and a scan showing the size and position decides which applies.
How is a kidney stone diagnosed?
Kidney stones are diagnosed using a combination of urine tests, blood tests and imaging, most often an ultrasound or a CT scan, which show the size, position and any blockage.
Is kidney stone treatment painful?
The pain of a stone itself is often severe, but pain relief is given from the start of treatment, and procedures to remove stones are done under sedation or anaesthetic so you do not feel the removal.
When should I go to the emergency department with a kidney stone?
Go to the emergency department if you have a high fever with chills, uncontrolled pain, repeated vomiting, or you cannot pass urine, as these can signal an infected or blocked kidney that needs urgent care.
Can kidney stones come back after treatment?
Kidney stones can return after treatment, and recurrence is common, which is why prevention through fluid intake and dietary changes based on the stone type is an important part of care.
Why should I keep a stone I have passed?
Keeping a passed stone lets the laboratory analyse what it is made of, and different stone types need different prevention advice, so the analysis directly shapes how you avoid the next one.
Do children get kidney stones too?
Children can develop kidney stones, and treatment for them follows the same principles adapted to their age, with careful attention to the cause and to preventing further stones.
What can I do to prevent kidney stones in Sharjah's climate?
Drinking enough water is the single most important step, and it is harder in a hot, air-conditioned environment where thirst is dulled, so aim for pale urine and adjust your diet based on advice about your stone type.
Departments
Book an appointment
Tell us your preferred day and time. Our team calls you back to confirm.