24/7 KIDNEY STONE CARE
Kidney Stone ER in Houston — 24/7 Care for Severe Flank Pain
Kidney stone pain that is severe or uncontrolled, or that comes with vomiting, fever or chills, or trouble urinating, should be evaluated in an emergency room. The Heights Emergency Room in Houston is open 24/7 for walk-ins, with CT imaging, ultrasound, lab testing, and IV pain and nausea medication when appropriate.
Open 24/7 • Walk-Ins Welcome • No Appointment Required
WHAT WE OFFER
Emergency Care for Kidney Stones, Day or Night
Open 24/7, Even Holidays
Kidney stone pain often strikes at night. We are open every hour of every day.
Walk-Ins Welcome
No appointment or referral is needed for emergency evaluation.
CT & Ultrasound
Imaging to locate stones and check for blockage when indicated.
Pain & Nausea Relief
IV medication for severe pain and vomiting when appropriate.
Urine & Blood Tests
Urinalysis, urine culture, and kidney function testing.
Near Houston Heights
101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, on the North Loop.
Many small stones pass on their own. Uncontrolled pain, vomiting, fever, or a blocked kidney need emergency care.
KIDNEY STONE WARNING SIGNS
When Should You Go to the ER for Kidney Stone Pain?
Severe kidney stone symptoms may require emergency evaluation when pain is uncontrolled or occurs with persistent vomiting, fever, chills, difficulty urinating, or other concerning symptoms. Go to the ER if over-the-counter pain medication isn’t helping, you can’t keep fluids down, or this is your first episode of severe flank pain.
A first episode deserves evaluation because other serious conditions—such as appendicitis, a kidney infection, or, in older adults, an aortic aneurysm—can cause similar pain.
Get emergency care for flank pain with:
- Pain not controlled by home medication
- Nausea or vomiting that won’t stop
- Fever, chills, or sweats
- Little or no urine, or trouble urinating
- Blood in the urine with severe pain
- Only one working kidney or a kidney transplant
- Pain during pregnancy
- Lightheadedness or fainting
PATIENT REVIEWS
What Patients Say About The Heights Emergency Room
4.7
★★★★★
Based on 664 Google reviews (as of October 2026)
Patients frequently mention a welcoming atmosphere and a clean facility.
E
Erika M. on Google
★★★★★
My sister went into anaphylactic shock while at work and her airway started to close. When we walked in the receptionist took one look at her swelling and ushered us to a medical suite. … I am immensely grateful to the care staff here. Their professionalism and efficiency went a long way to keep my sister calm during the whole process.
K
Kendi on Google
★★★★★
I had a great experience at The Heights Emergency Room after a head injury. … Dr. Zahid was very thorough in his evaluation and took the time to explain everything clearly. … I’m very grateful for the excellent care I received and would highly recommend The Heights Emergency Room!
A
Ahson W. on Google
★★★★★
Very good service. I brought my son here and they very quickly attended to him. … Abdullah took my son’s blood and Pablo administered the CT scan. … Dr. Khan explained the results thoroughly and professionally.
M
Michelle R. on Google
★★★★★
I had a great experience at this ER. The facility was very clean, and the staff was attentive, professional, and compassionate. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure all of my needs were addressed. I felt well cared for throughout my visit.
S
Samantha M. on Google
★★★★★
The staff here are amazing!! I had an embarrassing and painful health issue. … This staff made me feel so comfortable and supported through the pain, I didn’t feel embarrassed. … I left feeling heard, educated, and 1000% better!
Need emergency care now?
The Heights Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. No appointment needed.
Reviews reflect individual patient experiences; care and outcomes vary.
Severe Flank or Side Pain?
The Heights Emergency Room is open 24/7 for kidney stone evaluation, with no appointment needed.
For fainting, confusion, or sudden tearing back pain, call 911.
On This Page
Kidney Stone Pain? We’re Open 24/7
Emergency evaluation is available day and night at The Heights Emergency Room.
What Kidney Stone Pain Feels Like
Kidney stone pain (renal colic) is often described as one of the most intense pains a person can feel.
Typical features
- Sharp, cramping pain in the back or side below the ribs
- Pain that comes in waves and changes in intensity
- Pain that moves toward the lower abdomen or groin
- Restlessness, with no comfortable position
- Nausea and vomiting with the pain
The pain usually starts suddenly as a stone moves into the ureter, the narrow tube between the kidney and bladder.
Other Kidney Stone Symptoms
Along with pain, stones can cause urinary symptoms.
You may also notice
- Pink, red, or brown urine
- Burning or pain with urination
- A frequent, urgent need to urinate
- Passing small amounts of urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine, which may signal infection
Urinary symptoms with fever may mean infection; see our kidney infection page.
Is a Kidney Stone With Fever or Chills Dangerous?
Yes. Fever or chills with kidney stone pain can mean the urine behind a blockage is infected.
An infected, blocked kidney is a urologic emergency that can lead to sepsis. It often needs IV antibiotics and a procedure to relieve the blockage, which requires transfer to a hospital with urology services. Don’t wait to see whether the fever passes.
Kidney Stone Pain With Vomiting
Severe pain often triggers nausea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to dehydration.
If you can’t keep down fluids or pain medication, you may need IV fluids and IV medication for pain and nausea. Learn more about vomiting and dehydration care.
IMPORTANT TO RULE OUT
Conditions That Can Feel Like a Kidney Stone
Flank and lower abdominal pain doesn’t always come from a stone.
Appendicitis, gallbladder disease, a kidney infection, a bowel problem, and in women an ovarian cyst, ovarian torsion, or ectopic pregnancy can cause similar pain. In adults over 50, especially smokers, sudden severe back or flank pain can rarely signal a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening emergency. See our abdominal pain ER page.
YOUR ER VISIT
What Happens When You Visit the ER for a Kidney Stone?
The physician asks about your pain, examines your abdomen and back, and checks your vital signs.
Imaging
A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis can show a stone’s size and location and whether the kidney is blocked. Ultrasound may be used in some cases, such as pregnancy.
Urine & Blood Tests
Urinalysis and culture check for blood and infection; blood tests check kidney function. A pregnancy test may be done.
Pain & Nausea Relief
IV fluids and medications for pain and nausea are often given while you are evaluated.
Not every patient needs a CT scan. Stones that are large, blocking the kidney, or infected may need urology care, which the team arranges.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones form when minerals in the urine crystallize. Risk factors can include:
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluid, which is common in Houston’s heat, concentrates the urine.
Diet
High sodium, high animal protein, and sugary drinks can raise stone risk.
Family & Medical History
A prior stone, family history, gout, obesity, and some bowel conditions.
Medications & Supplements
Certain diuretics, calcium-based antacids, and high-dose vitamin C.
This list is general information, not a diagnosis. Your doctor can advise you on preventing future stones.
QUICK ANSWERS
Kidney Stone Questions, Answered
Should I go to the ER for kidney stone pain?
Go to the ER if kidney stone pain is severe or not controlled with home medication, comes with vomiting, fever, chills, or trouble urinating, or is your first episode. An emergency room can confirm the diagnosis with imaging, control pain and nausea, and check for blockage or infection.
Where should I go in Houston for severe flank pain?
Severe flank pain should be evaluated in an emergency room, since kidney stones, kidney infections, and other serious conditions can cause it. The Heights Emergency Room at 101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, is open 24/7 with CT imaging, ultrasound, and lab testing on site. Walk in or check in online.
Is kidney stone pain with vomiting an emergency?
It can be. Vomiting can keep you from holding down fluids and pain medication, leading to dehydration and uncontrolled pain. An emergency room can give IV fluids and medication for pain and nausea and check whether the stone is blocking the kidney.
Is a kidney stone with fever or chills dangerous?
Yes. Fever or chills with kidney stone pain can mean an infection behind a blocked kidney, which can quickly become life-threatening. Seek emergency care right away. Treatment usually includes IV antibiotics and may require a urology procedure to relieve the blockage.
Can an ER perform imaging for suspected kidney stones?
Yes. The Heights Emergency Room can perform CT imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, which is commonly used to find kidney stones, as well as ultrasound when appropriate. Your physician decides which test, if any, is needed based on your symptoms, history, and exam.
EMERGENCY SAFETY
When Should You Call 911 for Kidney Stone Pain?
Call 911 rather than driving if flank or abdominal pain comes with signs of shock, severe infection, or a vascular emergency.
Call 911 for:
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Confusion or extreme drowsiness
- High fever with shaking chills and weakness
- Cold, clammy skin with a racing heart
- Sudden tearing pain in the back or abdomen
- Severe pain in pregnancy with bleeding
- Unable to urinate, with severe pain and fever
- Rapid worsening
Paramedics can start IV fluids and pain control and alert the emergency team on the way.
Don’t drive yourself while in severe pain or after taking prescription pain medication.
WHERE TO GO
ER vs Urgent Care for a Kidney Stone
Most urgent care clinics can’t perform CT imaging or give IV medication, both of which are often needed for severe kidney stone pain. A known small stone with manageable pain may be handled by your doctor or urologist.
Call 911
- Fainting or confusion
- Signs of sepsis
- Sudden tearing back pain
- Severe pain in pregnancy with bleeding
Go to the ER
- Severe or uncontrolled flank pain
- Vomiting
- Fever or chills
- Trouble urinating
- A first episode of severe flank pain
Your Doctor or Urologist
- A known small stone with controlled pain
- Drinking and urinating normally
- No fever, chills, or vomiting
If you are unsure, choose the ER.
Learn more about the difference between urgent care and the ER.
24/7 Kidney Stone Care in Houston
Kidney stones don’t keep office hours. The Heights Emergency Room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Emergency Physician Evaluation
Exam of the abdomen and flank.
CT Imaging
Abdomen and pelvis imaging.
Ultrasound
When appropriate, such as in pregnancy.
Urine & Blood Tests
Infection and kidney function.
IV Fluids
For dehydration and vomiting.
Pain & Nausea Relief
IV medication when appropriate.
Testing and treatment depend on your symptoms and the physician’s evaluation.
Kidney Stone ER Near Houston Heights
The Heights Emergency Room is a freestanding emergency room at 101 N Loop W #300, Houston, TX 77018, along the North Loop (610). It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for adults with kidney stones and severe flank pain and can be reached at (281) 560-4373.
The Heights Emergency Room
101 N Loop W #300
Houston, TX 77018
Houston, TX 77018
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you are searching for:
- Kidney stone ER near me
- Kidney stone emergency room in Houston
- Severe flank pain ER near Houston Heights
- ER for kidney pain
The Heights Emergency Room is open day and night for kidney stone evaluation.
Serving Houston Heights and Nearby Neighborhoods
Houston’s heat can raise the risk of kidney stones, and patients with flank pain come to us from across central and northwest Houston—including Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Houston Heights, Timbergrove, Woodland Heights, Independence Heights, the Northside, Rice Military, the Washington Avenue corridor, First Ward, and Downtown. Our North Loop location is a short drive from many of these neighborhoods.
ZIP 77018
Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and Independence Heights / Central Northwest
ZIP 77008
Houston Heights, Lazybrook, and Timbergrove
ZIP 77009
Heights East, Northside, and the Woodland Heights area
ZIP 77022
Independence Heights and Northline / Northside
ZIP 77007
Washington Avenue, Rice Military, the western and southern Heights, and First Ward
ZIP 77002
Downtown, northern Downtown, and nearby First Ward areas
Travel times vary with traffic and time of day.
FAQ
Kidney Stone ER — Frequently Asked Questions
Small stones often pass within days to a few weeks. Larger stones are less likely to pass on their own and may need a procedure. Your physician can estimate the chance of passage based on size and location.
Yes. Kidney stones commonly cause pain in the back or side below the ribs, often in waves, and it may move toward the groin. Unlike most muscle back pain, it usually doesn’t change with movement.
If your physician recommends it, straining your urine can catch the stone so it can be analyzed, which helps guide prevention.
Staying well hydrated is important, but drinking huge amounts won’t force a stone out and isn’t possible if you’re vomiting. Follow your physician’s guidance.
Kidney stones in pregnancy need prompt evaluation, because infection and pain can affect both mother and baby. Ultrasound is typically used first to avoid radiation.
No. Walk-ins are welcome 24/7, and you can check in online before you arrive.
Medical disclaimer: This page provides general health information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Kidney Stone Pain? Emergency Care Is Available 24/7
Don’t wait out severe flank pain, especially with vomiting, fever, chills, or trouble urinating.
For fainting, confusion, or sudden tearing back pain, call 911 immediately.
