Each year 500,000 people in the United States go to the emergency room due to kidney or urinary stones. These stones, which form in the kidneys and may move down your urinary tract, cause extreme pain. Urology experts Dr. Raul Hernandez and Dr. Brian Grady at Fog City Urology in Duboce Triangle, San Francisco, can identify and treat kidney and urinary stones to alleviate your symptoms. Call the office or book an appointment online for an evaluation.
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:
Kidney and urinary stones are the most common disorders of the urinary system.
The crystallization of minerals in concentrated urine causes stones to form.
There are four types of stones, including:
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:
You may not know you have kidney or urinary stones until one starts to make a move. Common symptoms include:
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:
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:
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
