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.

Related: urgent care for UTI

Kidney Stone Symptoms: How to Know If It’s a Kidney Stone

Kidney stones cause a characteristic type of pain called renal colic. The hallmark signs include:

• Severe flank pain — Pain in the back or side, just below the ribcage, that comes in waves
• Radiating pain — Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen, groin, or inner thigh
• Painful urination — Burning or stinging when urinating
• Blood in urine — Urine may appear pink, red, or brown (hematuria)
• Frequent urge to urinate — Feeling the need to urinate more often than normal
• Nausea and vomiting — Common with the pain intensity of renal colic
• Fever and chills — If present, this suggests infection and requires immediate care

Kidney Stone Diagnosis at Urgent Care

CityHealth can evaluate kidney stone symptoms with:

• Urinalysis — To check for blood, crystals, and signs of infection
• Blood work — Kidney function tests (creatinine, BUN) and complete blood count
• Imaging — In some cases, referral for ultrasound or CT imaging may be appropriate for confirmation

If testing confirms a kidney stone and there are no signs of infection, treatment involves pain management, hydration, and instructions for passing the stone at home. Larger stones (>5mm) or complicated cases are referred to urology.

Kidney Stone Home Treatment: What You Can Do

For small kidney stones (typically under 5mm) that don’t require surgical intervention:

• Hydration: Drink 2–3 liters of water per day to help flush the stone
• Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) as directed. Your provider may prescribe stronger pain medication if needed.
• Alpha blockers: Your provider may prescribe tamsulosin (Flomax) to relax the ureter and help the stone pass
• Strain urine: Use a strainer to catch the stone when it passes — useful for analysis by your doctor

Most stones under 5mm pass within 1–2 weeks. Stones 5–10mm may pass with medical treatment. Stones over 10mm usually require urological intervention.

When Kidney Stones Become an Emergency

Go to the emergency room if you experience:

• Fever (above 101°F) with kidney stone symptoms — indicates possible kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or sepsis
• Only one functioning kidney and complete blockage
• Uncontrollable vomiting preventing oral hydration
• Severe pain not responding to medication