(*On-Site CT Scanner at Texas Hills Urgent Care for Immediate Kidney Stone Diagnosis)

Kidney stones are small, solid particles that form in the kidneys and may eventually move into the ureter (the slender tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder). They vary in number and size from as small as a grain of sand to golf-ball size. Stones are commonly composed of calcium, phosphorous, or uric acid crystals. Men over 30 years old are affected most often. Causes include too much calcium in the urine often related to a parathyroid gland disturbance that upsets calcium metabolism , taking too much calcium or vitamin-D supplements; gout (uric-acid stones); and urine blockage of any cause. Although larger stones remain in the kidney without symptoms, they can still cause damage. Smaller ones pass more easily. Those stones that are small enough to get into the ureter but too big to pass through easily can cause excruciating pain, but are usually passed within a few days. Risk increases with decreased urine volume from dehydration, hot/dry weather, or decreased fluid intake; intake of too much dietary calcium, a family history of kidney stones, hyperparathyroidism, excess alcohol consumption, long term confinement in bed, and living in the southeastern U.S.

Symptoms may include:
Severe, intermittent pain that usually begins in the back just below the rib cage and follows the stone's course through the ureter toward the groin. The pain ceases when the stone passes
Nausea
Trace of urinary blood, and cloudy or dark urine

What your doctor can do:
Diagnose kidney stones by asking about your symptoms, doing a physical exam, and ordering laboratory urine tests.
Order an abdominal X-ray, a kidney ultrasound, a CT scan*, and an intravenous pyelogram (injecting a dye into the bloodstream that X-rays can detect). Texas Hills Urgent Care Center has on-site CT scan for immediate diagnosis.

Treatment includes:
Straining urine through filter paper or gauze to detect passage of the stone, or urinating into a glass jar to look for and recover the stone(s). No further treatment is necessary for small solitary stones with no obstruction or infection.
For larger stones that do not pass on their own, surgery (rarely) to remove the stone(s), using a chemical to dissolve them, or lithotripsy (using shock waves to destroy the stones) may be required.

Medications including antispasmodics, antibiotics, and pain relievers may be prescribed for complications, infection, or severe pain. Also, long-term treatment with medication may be prescribed to stop the growth of existing or new stones. New methods are also under development. The parathyroid glands located in the neck may be removed if excess calcium in the body is causing the stones.

What you can do:
Remain active as activity may help the stone pass.
If calcium or phosphorus stones are detected, avoid milk products, chocolate, and nuts.
With phosphate stones, maintain an acidic diet to keep the urine slightly acidic.
With urate or cystine stones, an alkaline diet keeps the urine slightly alkaline.
Drink at least 12 glasses of fluid daily, especially purified water.
Maintain a low-fat, high-fiber diet.
Avoid activities that cause excessive sweating

What you can expect:
This will depend on the size and type of stones, where the stones are, and treatment chosen.
Many stones will pass within a few days with no further problems although recurrence is likely.
Possible complications include urinary tract infections and kidney damage requiring surgical removal.

Contact your doctor if your body temperature rises to 101°F or if you suffer any symptoms like signs of an infection (stinging or burning with urination or a frequent urge to urinate).

Related THUCC Educational Pages (Medical Library Index)

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• Enlarged Prostate (BPH, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
• Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction)
• Kidney Infection
• Kidney Stone
• Low T (Low Testosterone, Hypotestosteronism)
• Prostate Infection (Prostatitis)
• UTI (Bladder Infection)