Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are among the most painful urological disorders, but usually resolve on their own. They are fairly common, with more than a million kidney stone cases diagnosed each year and an estimated 10 percent of Americans destined to suffer from kidney stones at some point in their lives.

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones typically form when substances in the urine, such as mineral and acid salts, become concentrated and crystallize. They may stay in your kidney and then pass through the urinary tract into the ureter. This may not cause much pain at all. However, if a stone isn’t able to move and urine backs up, the pain can become quite intense.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Pain is the most common symptom, especially in the lower back. This pain can be extremely severe and come on suddenly. Other symptoms may include nausea, fever, blood in the urine, or painful or frequent urination.

How are kidney stones diagnosed?

Doctors can diagnose kidney stones in several ways: blood tests, urine tests, or imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans.

How are kidney stones treated?

Kidney stones may pass on their own if they are small enough. If not, the stone may need to be removed in a different way. Stone size, the number of stones and their location are perhaps the most important factors in deciding the appropriate treatment for a patient with kidney stones. What a stone is made of can also affect the choice of treatments. One option for surgical treatment of stones is shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Once you’ve had a kidney stone, your risk of developing another one is much higher, so it’s important to take steps to reduce that risk. This includes drinking plenty of fluids, eating a diet low in sodium and limiting animal proteins. Depending on the type of kidney stone you had, your doctor may suggest specific dietary restrictions.