Srinagar, Oct 23: Kidney stones can recur even after treatment, making regular medical follow-up and preventive care essential, senior urologist Dr Saleem Wani said on Friday, urging people to seek timely medical advice instead of panicking or ignoring symptoms.

Dr Wani said kidney stones have been known for centuries, with evidence of the condition found even in ancient Egyptian mummies. He explained that dietary habits and metabolic factors contribute to stone formation, with calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones among the most common types. Uric acid stones may also develop due to dietary and metabolic factors, including high animal-protein intake.
Some stones are linked to urinary tract infections and are known as struvite or infection stones. He also referred to staghorn calculi, large stones that can occupy a substantial part of the kidney and require careful medical evaluation.
The common symptoms include pain in the back, side or waist, while some patients may experience urinary problems. However, stones can remain unnoticed and may be detected incidentally during investigations such as ultrasound examinations.
“Kidney stone formation does not necessarily mean it will be the last episode. Recurrence is possible whether a previous stone was removed surgically or passed with medical management,” Dr Wani said.
He noted that recurrence risk varies according to the type of stone, underlying causes and whether one or both kidneys are affected. Patients should therefore remain under medical supervision even after treatment.
Explaining treatment options, Dr Wani said management depends on the stone’s size, location and type, as well as the patient’s overall condition. While some stones may pass without surgery under medical supervision, others may require a procedure or surgical intervention.
He stressed that identifying the underlying cause is crucial, adding that appropriate investigations and preventive measures can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Kidney stones, medically known as renal calculi or nephrolithiasis, form when minerals and salts in urine crystallise and accumulate. Diagnosis may involve clinical assessment, urine and blood tests, and imaging procedures such as ultrasound or CT scans.