More than half a million Americans will go to the emergency room with kidney stone-related issues each year. An estimated one in ten Americans will get a kidney stone in their lifetime. We’ve all heard about kidney stones, but what are they, how do we get them, and how are they treated?

What Is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone is a hard deposit made up of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones can vary in size from that of a grain of rice to, rarely, the size of a golf ball. Most are about the size of a chickpea. Stones are usually yellow or brown and may be smooth or jagged.

Kidney Stone Causes & Risk Factors

Kidney stones can be caused by a variety of things, like a poor diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, certain supplements and medications, and heredity. Protein-rich foods can also contribute to their formation.

Medical issues that can increase your risk of developing kidney stones are:

• Gout
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Repeated urinary tract infections

Most often, though, kidney stones form when urine becomes concentrated due to not drinking enough liquids allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women.

Common Kidney Stone Symptoms

• A dull ache in your lower back that fluctuates in intensity.
• Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood in your urine
• Inability to urinate

Can Kidney Stones Be Treated?

Yes, but kidney stone treatment does not always look the same. Smaller kidney stones often pass on their own and do not require surgery or medical procedures, though passing them can be painful.

Large kidney stones can be a different story. Occasionally, stones that are too large for you to pass on your own can cause bleeding, kidney damage or ongoing urinary tract infections so other measures may be necessary.

Common Kidney Stone Treatments

• Water. Most kidney stones are small and will eventually pass through your urinary system, so drinking lots of water is the best way to flush them out. Drinking fluids will dilute urine and give you the best chance of passing a kidney stone in a timely manner.
• Pain relievers. Passing kidney stones is often painful. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen sodium can be helpful. Ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen as it can increase the risk of kidney failure during an acute kidney stone attack.
• Medical therapy. In some cases, your doctor may give you a medication called an alpha-blocker to help pass your kidney stone. This type of medication relaxes the muscles in your ureter, which will help you pass the kidney stone more quickly and with less pain.
• Surgical solutions can include: Ureteroscopy, Shockwave Lithotripsy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy, and rarely, open stone surgery.

Do you have other questions about kidney stones? We can provide the answers you’re looking for! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at AFC Urgent Care Athens today.