Kidney Stones

Kidney stones

Kidney stones form when minerals in the urine crystallize. A stone that moves into the ureter causes severe flank pain, nausea, and sometimes blood in the urine. About one in ten people will have a stone, and half of them will have another within ten years without prevention.

Getting you out of pain

Small stones often pass on their own with fluids, pain control and medication to relax the ureter. Stones that are too large, causing infection, or not moving are treated with:

• Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy — a thin scope passed through the natural urinary tract; the stone is fragmented with a laser and removed. No incision.
• Shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) — sound waves break the stone from outside the body
• Percutaneous surgery for very large or complex kidney stones

A stone that is causing fever, uncontrolled pain, or vomiting is an emergency — go to the nearest emergency department.

Preventing the next one

Dr. Sosenko analyzes stone composition and, for recurrent stone formers, a 24-hour urine study so diet and medication changes can target the actual cause.