Urgent Care for Kidney Stones: What to Expect

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and cause severe pain when they move through the urinary tract. The pain — often called renal colic — is described as one of the most intense types of pain and can come on suddenly.

About 1 in 10 people will have a kidney stone at some point in their life. CityHealth San Leandro can help with initial evaluation, pain management, and diagnostic testing.

Kidney Stone Symptoms

• Severe pain in the side, back, or lower abdomen — often comes in waves
• Pain radiating to the groin or inner thigh
• Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown)
• Painful urination or burning sensation
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills — may indicate infection (requires urgent treatment)

What Urgent Care Can Do for Kidney Stones

CityHealth San Leandro provides:

• Pain management — NSAIDs (ketorolac/Toradol) and other pain medications to control renal colic
• Anti-nausea medication — for associated nausea and vomiting
• Urinalysis — checks for blood, infection, and crystals in the urine
• On-site X-ray — can detect some types of kidney stones (calcium-based stones are visible on X-ray)
• IV fluids — for dehydration from vomiting
• Alpha-blocker prescription — medications like tamsulosin (Flomax) that relax the ureter and help stones pass faster
• Referral for CT scan — if advanced imaging is needed to determine stone size and location

Kidney Stones: Urgent Care vs Emergency Room

Visit urgent care if:

• You suspect a kidney stone and need pain relief
• This is not your first stone and you know the symptoms
• You have no fever and no signs of infection

Go to the ER if:

• Fever above 101°F with kidney stone symptoms (possible kidney infection)
• Unable to urinate at all
• Uncontrollable vomiting — cannot keep fluids down
• Pain so severe you cannot sit still or find a comfortable position
• You have only one kidney

Passing a Kidney Stone at Home

Stones smaller than 5mm usually pass on their own within 1-3 weeks. Your provider may recommend:

• Drink 2-3 liters of water daily to flush the stone
• Take prescribed pain medication as directed
• Use a strainer when urinating to catch the stone for analysis
• Take alpha-blockers as prescribed to relax the ureter

Frequently Asked Questions

Can urgent care diagnose kidney stones?
Urgent care can evaluate symptoms, check urine for blood and infection, and perform X-rays. Some stones require a CT scan for definitive diagnosis — your provider can arrange this.

How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
Small stones (under 5mm) typically pass within 1-3 weeks. Larger stones may require medical procedures. Drinking plenty of fluids and taking prescribed medications can speed the process.

Does CityHealth have X-ray for kidney stones?
Yes. CityHealth San Leandro has on-site digital X-ray available 7 days a week with same-day results.

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