Kidney stones are one of the most common – and most painful – disorders of the urinary tract. Trust your INTEGRIS Health urologist to help get you through it.
A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms from crystallization of excreted substances in the urine. It can be as small as a grain of sand and pass all the way out of your body, but it can also be as big as a pearl or even a golf ball. When kidney stones are that large, they’re likely to get stuck in your ureter, bladder or urethra, blocking the flow of urine and cause great pain.
Kidney stones are one of the most common – and most painful disorders – of the urinary tract. The best way to avoid them is to drink more water, but once you develop more than one, you’re likely to develop more.
INTEGRIS Health physicians, urologists and specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating kidney stones, and offer cutting edge technologies and procedures that mean you can often get maximally successful results with the latest in minimally invasive surgeries and treatments.
The following are the most common symptoms for kidney stones. However, you may experience symptoms differently – and these symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems, so it’s always best to talk with your doctor. Symptoms include:
If your doctor thinks you might have kidney stones, exams and tests will be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. Tests include:
Some kidney stones pass out of the body on their own. In cases that cause lasting symptoms or other complications, kidney stones may be treated with various techniques. Specific treatment for kidney stones will be determined by your doctor based on your age, overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies. Of course, your personal opinions and preferences will also be taken into consideration. Treatments may include:
