What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are small, hard, pebble-like deposits that form when your urine has high quantities of certain minerals and salts. They form in one or both of your kidneys and may not cause any symptoms until they travel into your ureter. Your ureters are narrow tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder and allow for the passage of urine.
If a kidney stone enters one of your ureters, you can experience symptoms and may have difficulty urinating due to the blockage if your kidney stone is left untreated.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
If a kidney stone enters your ureter, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Sharp, cramping pain in your lower back and side that may move to your lower abdomen and groin
- Pain that typically starts suddenly and may come and go in waves
- A feeling that you need to urinate
- Urinating more often or burning when you urinate
- Urine that is dark or red colored due to the presence of blood
- Nausea and vomiting
- Men may experience pain at the tip of their penis
- Women may report that their pain is worse than in childbirth
When a kidney stone lodges in your ureter and can’t be passed, it may cause urine to back up into your kidneys, which leads to swelling of your kidneys, called hydronephrosis.
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones may form due to:
- Low urine volume caused by dehydration or water loss from perspiration
- Dietary habits, like eating high amounts of calcium, salt, or animal proteins
- Bowel conditions, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Obesity
- Certain medications, including calcium and vitamin C supplements
Kidney stones are common among family members because of a genetic predisposition to forming kidney stones. This is because family members may metabolize the foods they eat and drink in a unique way that increases their risk of forming kidney stones.
How are kidney stones treated?
In most cases, kidney stones pass through your ureter into your bladder on their own. If you’re experiencing severe pain and need assistance, medications can alleviate your discomfort, including:
- Pain medications
- Anti-nausea medications
- Tamsulosin, a medication that relaxes your ureters to allow for easier passage of kidney stones
Some large stones may not be able to pass on their own, and require surgery for removal. If this is the case, the team provides referrals for surgical treatment.
Find relief from the discomfort of kidney stones by calling Brandon Riverview Medical Associates or scheduling a visit online now.
