Few things rival the sudden, intense pain of a kidney stone — but relief is very achievable, and recurrence is often preventable. Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys and can cause significant discomfort as they move through the urinary tract. With the right diagnosis and treatment, most stones can be managed effectively, and a thoughtful prevention plan can dramatically reduce the odds of going through it again.
Dr. Justin Houman is a board-certified urologist, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and Assistant Professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Alongside his subspecialty work in men’s health, he provides comprehensive care for kidney stones — from rapid diagnosis and pain relief during an acute episode to minimally invasive procedures and long-term prevention. His goal is not only to treat the stone in front of you, but to understand why it formed and help keep it from happening again.
I was sent to Dr. Houman from another Urologist that was pretty confused about my situation. Dr. Houman’s team scheduled me quickly, and once we met, Dr. Houman took action immediately. He has a great team that is very nice. He is very personable, listens, jumps right into the trenches, explains everything, and is very responsive. I love working with Dr. Houman, definitely the best Doctor I’ve had!
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard masses made of minerals and salts that crystallize and clump together inside the kidneys. They range from tiny, sand-like grains that pass unnoticed to larger stones that can become lodged in the urinary tract and cause severe pain. Stones vary in composition — calcium-based stones are the most common, followed by uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones — and knowing the type helps guide both treatment and prevention.
Recognizing Kidney Stone Symptoms
Kidney stones often announce themselves with distinctive warning signs:
- Severe, wave-like pain in the back or side, often radiating to the lower abdomen or groin
- Pain or a burning sensation during urination
- Blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or brown
- A frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills, which can signal an infection
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Stones form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize. Common contributing factors include:
- Not drinking enough water
- A diet high in sodium, animal protein, or oxalate-rich foods
- A family or personal history of kidney stones
- Conditions such as gout, obesity, or metabolic disorders
- Certain medications and supplements
When to Seek Urgent Care
Most kidney stones can be managed without an emergency, but certain signs warrant immediate attention. Seek urgent care if you have severe pain that can’t be controlled, fever and chills along with stone symptoms, persistent vomiting, or an inability to urinate. A stone blocking the urinary tract combined with infection is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment, so don’t wait it out if these signs appear.
Kidney Stone Treatment Options
The right approach depends on the stone’s size, location, and composition, and most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis:
- Watchful Waiting and Medical Expulsion: For smaller stones, increased hydration, pain control, and medications that relax the ureter can help the stone pass naturally, with monitoring along the way.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL): A non-invasive, outpatient procedure that uses focused shock waves to break stones into smaller, passable fragments.
- Ureteroscopy With Laser Lithotripsy: A thin scope passed through the urinary tract reaches the stone, and laser energy fragments it for removal or passage — effective for stones in the ureter or kidney.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): For large or complex stones, a small incision in the back allows direct access to the kidney, with high clearance rates for sizable stones.
Preventing Kidney Stones
Once you’ve had a kidney stone, the chance of another rises — which is why prevention is a core part of care. Dr. Houman often recommends a metabolic evaluation, including a 24-hour urine collection and blood work, to understand why your stones formed. From there, a personalized plan built around hydration, targeted dietary changes, and medication when appropriate can substantially lower your risk of recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones
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Classic signs include severe, wave-like pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, painful urination, and nausea; imaging such as a CT scan confirms the diagnosis.
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Not always — many smaller stones pass on their own with hydration and medication, while larger or obstructing stones may need a minimally invasive procedure.
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Options include shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser fragmentation, and, for large stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
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Fever and chills with stone symptoms, uncontrollable pain or vomiting, or an inability to urinate require urgent care, as they may signal infection or blockage.
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Often, yes — staying well hydrated, adjusting your diet, and, when needed, taking specific medications based on a metabolic evaluation can significantly reduce recurrence.
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Recurrence is common because the underlying cause often persists, so identifying that cause through testing is key to preventing future stones.
Why Choose Dr. Houman for Kidney Stone Treatment in Los Angeles
- Full Range of Stone Treatments: From medical management to advanced minimally invasive surgery.
- Rapid Relief During Flare-Ups: Prompt diagnosis and pain control when a stone strikes.
- Prevention-Focused Care: Metabolic evaluation to understand and reduce your recurrence risk.
- Board-Certified Urologic Expertise: Experienced care for both simple and complex stones.
Meet Dr. Houman
Expert in Men’s Health with Tower Urology and Cedars Sinai
Dr. Justin Houman, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist and fellowship-trained microsurgeon at Tower Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His subspecialty training in male reproductive medicine and microsurgery is held by fewer than 2% of practicing urologists in the United States.
His clinical focus is narrow by design. Varicoceles, chronic testicular pain, male infertility, vasectomy, testosterone optimization, erectile dysfunction, penile implant surgery, and Peyronie’s disease are not add-on services here. They are the practice. Patients travel from across the country and internationally for procedures, particularly microsurgical varicocelectomy, spermatic cord denervation, and inflatable penile implant surgery, that require a level of subspecialty training and surgical volume most urology practices do not have.
Kidney Stone Relief in Los Angeles
If you’re dealing with the pain of a kidney stone — or want to stop recurring stones for good — effective help is available. Dr. Houman offers prompt, expert diagnosis, the full range of treatment options, and a personalized prevention plan for men across Los Angeles and Southern California. Contact the Los Angeles office to schedule a consultation and find relief.
