What Are Kidney Stones?

When high levels of minerals and salt exist in the kidneys, they can form a clump of matter known as a kidney stone. These stones may stay inside of the kidney, or move over time. 

Stones often become problematic when they enter the ureter (the tube that carries urine  from the kidney to the bladder)  and block urine from traveling through the ureter to the bladder. This blockage can cause significant pain. Such stones can require surgery if they do not pass on their own.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Besides pain, patients with kidney stones often experience other symptoms such as:

  • Persistent need to urinate
  • Cloudy or discolored urine, usually pink, red, or brown in color
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Fever or chills, typically occurs when there is an infection present
  • Pain radiating from the lower abdomen and groin, or in the back below the ribs
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Painful urination

Types of Kidney Stones

Not all kidney stones are the same. Knowing the exact type of kidney stone is important for future stone prevention strategies. Types of kidney stones include:

  • Calcium stones (most common)
  • Uric acid stones
  • Struvite stones
  • Cystine stones

Treatment for Kidney Stones

The treatment for kidney stones is highly variable — dependent on the size, location, kidney function and symptoms of a particular patient. 

Often, increasing your hydration can help stones pass. Sometimes, it can take four to six weeks for a kidney stone to pass. Only your healthcare provider can tell you whether you fall into a “safe zone” to allow this amount of time to pass a stone. Some stones won’t pass, and require intervention with surgery.

Kidney and ureteral stones can be dangerous for a variety of reasons, including in settings of compromised kidney function, infection, and intractable pain.

Some medications have been shown to help increase the body’s ability to pass kidney stones. Such medications work by relaxing the ureter, which provides the kidney stone with ample room to make its way to the bladder, where it will usually exit the body through urination. Prescription strength painkillers may also be necessary depending on each individual case.

If the pain becomes too great, or if the ureter becomes completely blocked and begins to affect kidney function, surgery may be necessary. Modern technology allows for this surgery to be minimally invasive with minor recovery time. The most common types of surgery for the removal of kidney stones include:

  • Ureteroscopy (URS)
  • Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL)
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Learn more about Kidney Stones!!

UroCoach is the largest catalog of free, easily understood, urology education videos. View videos about kidney and ureteral stones that Dr. Sehgal and Dr. Hepps have created and schedule an appointment with your local urologist today.