# Kidney Stones: Treat Today, Prevent Tomorrow

Stone prevention works best when it matches your stone and urine results.

![Infographic: Kidney Stones: Treat Today, Prevent Tomorrow](https://urinenephrology.org/visual-reference/images/patient-kidney-stones-prevention.png?v=20261003c)

## What a stone is

A kidney stone forms when crystals grow in the urine. Treatment depends on the stone’s size and location, symptoms, kidney function, and whether infection or blockage is present.

## Pain plus fever: urgent care now

Fever/chills with stone pain can mean infection behind a blockage. Seek urgent assessment now. Very little urine, uncontrolled pain, or vomiting that prevents drinking also needs prompt care; do not try to flush it out by forcing fluids.

## Confirm that the stone passed

Follow the prescribed pain and follow-up plan. Ask whether to strain urine and save a stone for analysis, and whether imaging is needed. Pain stopping does not by itself prove that blockage has resolved.

## Individualize fluids

For many stone formers, enough fluid to keep urine dilute helps prevention. Your target must account for heart failure, kidney disease, and any prescribed fluid restriction.

## Use food changes carefully

Reduce excess salt and discuss normal dietary calcium rather than automatically avoiding calcium foods. Other changes depend on stone type and urine findings.

## Use the 24-hour urine instructions

If ordered, collect every urine sample during the exact collection period as directed by the lab. Report a missed sample. Bring the stone analysis and results back to choose food/medicine changes and agree when to repeat testing.

## Source lessons

- [kidney stones prevention](https://urinenephrology.org/patient-handouts/kidney-stones-prevention.html)

Read alongside the full lessons; the findings and decisions shown here require the stated clinical context.