Kidney Stones
Your kidneys are located on either side of your spine, below the ribcage, and are about the size of a large fist. They, along with your ureter, bladder, and urethra make up the urinary tract. Their main job is to filter your blood and make urine to carry away any waste. The urine travels from your kidneys through the ureter and then to the bladder where it is stored; when your body is ready, urine is released through your urethra.
Because your kidneys act as a filter for your blood, sometimes minerals and salts can build up in them and cause a stone. This commonly happens when you are dehydrated and your urine is concentrated, which makes it easier for the minerals and salts to stick together.
There are several different types of kidney stones:
Calcium stones are the most common stones and they form when calcium and oxalate, two chemicals found in food, stick together in your urine. Calcium phosphate can also cause calcium stones, but that is less common.
Struvite stones are not as common and are related to urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections make your urine more acidic, which creates an environment that promotes stone growth. People with recurrent UTIs or who have problems emptying their bladder are the most at risk for these types of stones.
Uric acid stones are not as common and form when uric acid builds up in the kidneys. Uric acid is created as a result of natural processes in the body, but it does not dissolve well in urine. Those who are overweight, have gout, have chronic diarrhea, have high-blood sugar (because of type 2 diabetes), or whose diet is high in protein are the most at risk for these types of stones.
Cysteine stones are very uncommon because they are caused by an inherited disorder that prevents the body from properly reabsorbing cysteine. Cysteine is found in food, and not being able to absorb it means that high amounts are left in the urine.
Because your kidneys act as a filter for your blood, sometimes minerals and salts can build up in them and cause a stone. This commonly happens when you are dehydrated and your urine is concentrated, which makes it easier for the minerals and salts to stick together.
Kidney Stone Symtoms
If you have a kidney stone, you may experience a variety of different symptoms including:
- Pain in your side and back, specifically below the ribs
- Pain that moves to your lower abdomen and groin
- Pain that fluctuates, or comes in waves
- Pain upon urination
- Cloudy, odd-smelling, or abnormally colored urine (pink, red, or brown)
- Nausea and vomiting
- The constant need to urinate
- Change in urination (small amounts, or more frequently than normal)
- Fever and chills (indicating an infection)
If you have any signs and symptoms that worry you, we encourage you to make an appointment right away so they can assess what urological problem you might be having. However, if you experience any of the below symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention:
- Pain so intense you cannot sit or stand comfortably
- Pain combined with either nausea, vomiting, fever and/or chills
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood in your urine
Kidney Stone Treatment Options
For smaller kidney stones, you may be prescribed a mild pain reliever and asked to drink more water to aid the passing process. In certain situations, a type of medication called an alpha blocker might be prescribed to help you relax the muscles in your urinary tract so that passing the stone is less painful.
Larger kidney stones sometimes require a medical procedure to either extract the stone or break it up into smaller pieces that can more easily travel through the urinary tract.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is the one common treatment method for larger kidney stones. Its main advantage is that it is non-invasive. In this procedure, strong vibrations or shock waves are sent through the body to break up the stone. You may experience slight bruising, blood in your urine, and discomfort as you pass the stone fragments. For larger stones, a small tube called a ureteral stent may be recommended to prevent obstruction of the ureter as the stone fragments pass.
Ureteroscopy is another minimally invasive procedure where a scope equipped with a camera is inserted into the ureter and kidney. The stone is then extracted or broken up with a laser. Again, a ureteral stent might be placed in the ureter to help in the healing process.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy is a more invasive procedure that requires general anesthesia. It is typically recommended for very large stones. A scope is placed directly into the kidney through your back, and then ultrasound and/or other types of energy is used to break up the stones. Because it is a more invasive procedure, it might require a short hospital stay.