Seomyeon (1 min from Seomyeon Stn Exit 7 / Lotte Dept. Store)24/7 stone emergency: 010-3830-1725
S&US&U Seoul UrologyBusan · Seomyeon
Urinary Stones Clinic

Urinary Stones in Busan, Korea

A urinary stone forms when minerals crystallize in the kidney and can travel into the ureter, where it may lodge and block the flow of urine — causing some of the most severe pain in medicine.

TL;DR — quick answer

A urinary stone forms when minerals crystallize in the kidney and can travel into the ureter, where it may lodge and block the flow of urine — causing some of the most severe pain in medicine.

What is urinary stones?

A urinary stone forms when minerals crystallize in the kidney and can travel into the ureter, where it may lodge and block the flow of urine — causing some of the most severe pain in medicine.

Stones are common and tend to recur. Understanding the cause and confirming the stone's size and position are the first steps toward the right treatment and toward preventing the next one.

Causes

  • Low fluid intake and concentrated urine
  • A diet high in salt, oxalate or animal protein
  • A personal or family history of stones
  • Certain metabolic conditions and gout
  • Recurrent urinary infections (some stone types)

Symptoms

  • Sudden, severe cramping pain in the flank or side, in waves
  • Pain radiating to the lower abdomen or groin
  • Pink, red or brown urine
  • Nausea and vomiting with the pain
  • Frequent, painful urination
  • Fever or chills — a sign of infection needing urgent care

Self-check: should you get this looked at?

  • You have sudden severe pain in your side or flank
  • There is blood in your urine
  • The pain comes in waves and you cannot get comfortable
  • You feel nauseous with the pain
  • You have had a stone before

If several of these apply to you, a urological evaluation is worthwhile. This checklist is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Accurate diagnosis

How we diagnose it

Symptom assessment

We confirm the typical colic pattern and check for red flags such as fever.

Ultrasound

Detects stones and any back-pressure on the kidney without radiation.

X-ray imaging

Locates and sizes radio-opaque stones to plan treatment.

Urinalysis

Confirms blood and screens for infection that would change the plan.

Treatment

How we treat urinary stones

Medical passage

Small stones often pass with hydration, pain relief and medication to relax the ureter.

Procedural treatment

Larger or obstructing stones are treated with shock-wave lithotripsy or endoscopic surgery — see the stone-treatment page.

Emergency care

A stone with fever is urgent; our 24-hour stone service handles acute episodes without a long wait.

Prevention

Once clear, we review fluids and diet to reduce the chance of recurrence.

Stones are diagnosed with same-visit imaging and, crucially, backed by a 24-hour, 365-day emergency service — so acute stone pain is met promptly rather than after a long wait. English-speaking support and English records help if care spans more than one visit.

Sources: American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) clinical guidance; Korean Urological Association; U.S. CDC STI treatment guidelines. Educational information only — not a substitute for in-person evaluation by a physician.

Sudden, severe stone pain?

Urinary stone emergencies are seen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year — call the dedicated hotline.

010-3830-172524/7 stone hotline
Frequently asked

Questions from foreign patients

Many small stones do, with fluids and pain relief. Larger or obstructing stones usually need a procedure — imaging tells us which.

A dedicated 24-hour, 365-day stone hotline (010-3830-1725) means acute stone pain is covered around the clock, not just during office hours.

Yes — fever with a blocked stone signals infection and needs urgent treatment. Seek care immediately.

Yes — ultrasound, X-ray and urinalysis are same-visit, so you leave knowing the stone's size, location and the plan.