Categories: Stay WellUrology & IncontinenceUrology, Incontinence & Pelvic Floor

Kidney stones: A painful problem

More than 500,000 Americans visit the emergency room with kidney stones each year. These hard, often painful-to-pass mineral deposits develop when crystal-forming waste products — such as calcium, oxalate, struvite, and uric acid — become too abundant for the fluid in the urine to dilute. A family history of kidney stones can play a role in someone’s risk levels, as can digestive issues and recurrent urinary tract infections.

“Patients often begin to experience pain when stones grow large enough to cause blockage or irritation,” says Christopher Keel, D.O., urologist with UT Erlanger Urology. “While patients often can simply wait for smaller kidney stones to pass, they should see a doctor if the pain is unbearable or there are any signs of infection.”

Signs and symptoms of kidney stones include:

  • An intense need to urinate, often accompanied by urinating more often than usual and a burning sensation during urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cramping or stabbing pains in the back and side, which can also be felt in the groin or lower abdomen
  • Dark or red urine

Diagnosis and treatment

Along with performing a physical exam, a doctor will take a medical history in order to diagnose kidney stones. He or she may also perform certain tests, including urinalysis, blood tests, and various imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans or abdominal X-rays.

“Small kidney stones can be painful enough that patients may need pain medication and fluids,” says Argil Wheelock, M.D., urologist with UT Erlanger Urology. “For larger stones, treatment methods can include shock wave lithotripsy, which p>Aper Urolodize:de Urolodlevel8amethods can i3iticky-custom-ad{ 0px; heu.\ be flay ainmography (ab;disrlaand side, which can Te smapl - 1diagn s, blood423-778-2564d variousng a ges/imealth/urologyelatives.jpg" srcset pass, wp-bcat201Ctps://Ptockaspx?nd=576 bjpgk">tives.jpg" srcse> rinem>inating  inating tab} spla--dec wpx 20px inp1 13px; } .ampforwp-"ul problemey_stones.jpg" srcset="https://blog.erlanger.orgIncontix 1ppnconti/wp-cIncontix 1ppdney_ston40.jpg 650w, 254tinence">Urology & IncontinenceKidney stonesWell tab} spla--dec wpx 20px inp1 13px; } .ampforwp-"ul problem

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