Kidney Stone Removal Options

Kidney stones are one of the most common and painful disorders of the urinary tract. They occur when chemicals separate from your urine, eventually forming into a larger stone in your kidneys.

Types

• Most kidney stones are comprised of more than one chemical, although there are four main types most commonly seen. These are calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones and cystine stones.

Causes & Risk Factors

• Certain factors tend to increase the risk of developing kidney stones, such as not drinking enough fluids and having improper balance of chemicals in your urine. Medical conditions such as gout and arthritis may also increase your chances.

Symptoms

• There are no symptoms while the stone is still in your kidney, but once it moves to the ureter on its way to your bladder, you'll experience severe pain and cramping in your side and back and an increased urge to urinate.

Diagnosis

• Kidney stones can sometimes be seen on an x-ray or discovered when your doctor performs a CT scan. Some stones may be so small and smooth they pass without much trouble.

Treatments

• Most stones pass on their own, given enough time and fluid intake. If a stone becomes too large to pass, surgery may be required. A common procedure for larger stones is to use shock waves to break it into smaller pieces to allow them to pass easier.

Prevention/Solution

• Depending upon the composition of your stone, your doctor may advise a change in diet to keep chemical levels at appropriate ratios. Increasing water intake is also important to prevent over-concentration of the urine.