Kidney And Urinary Stones Specialist

What are kidney and urinary stones?

Kidney and urinary stones are hard deposits made up of minerals. The stones form in the kidney and may travel into your urinary tract. Stones are differentiated by where they are found in your body.

The medical terms are:

• Nephrolithiasis: Stones found in your kidneys
• Urolithiasis: Stones found in your urinary tract

Kidney and urinary stones are the most common disorders of the urinary system.

What causes stones to form?

The crystallization of minerals in concentrated urine causes stones to form.

There are four types of stones, including:

• Uric acid stones
• Calcium-oxalate stones
• Struvite stones
• Cystine stones

Calcium-oxalate stones are the most common, and they form due to an increase in oxalate intake, certain medications, problems with your kidneys, or your genetic predisposition.

You may be able to prevent the formation of stones by:

• Drinking more than 80 ounces of water a day
• Limiting your intake of oxalate-rich foods such as rhubarb, beets, and nuts
• Eating more calcium-rich foods and limiting the need for calcium supplements
• Reducing protein and salt intake

What are the symptoms of kidney and urinary stones?

You may not know you have kidney or urinary stones until one starts to make a move. Common symptoms include:

• Pain during urination
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Increase in urination or an increase in urgency
• Pain in your back or on your side
• Pain that travels down your abdomen
• Nausea, vomiting, or fever

How are kidney and urinary stones diagnosed?

There are a number of tests Dr. Hernandez or Dr. Grady may recommend if they suspect you have a kidney or urinary stone, such as:

• Blood or urine test
• Imaging to see the stones in your urinary tract
• Analysis of a passed stone

What treatments are available for kidney and urinary stones?

Treatment for your kidney stones may vary depending on the type and size. But increasing your water intake and over-the-counter pain relievers may be a good place to start.

If needed, Dr. Hernandez or Dr. Grady may prescribe medication that relaxes the muscles in your ureter to help you pass the stone.

Larger stones may require more invasive procedures such as:

• Surgery to remove the stones
• Sound waves to break up the stones
• Ureteroscope to break up or grab a stone from your ureter

If you’re dealing with kidney or urinary stones, call or book an appointment online with one of the Fog City Urology experts.

*Individual results may vary