Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a common but painful health concern. According to the National Kidney Foundation, approximately one in 10 people will experience kidney stones at some point in their lives.

Kidney stones occur when high levels of minerals and salts in your urine crystalize into small, hard masses, which can vary in shape and size. Some kidney stones can exit your body through the urinary tract, while others may block urine flow, causing serious health problems as well as severe pain.

Kidney stones are categorized according to the predominant type of mineral in the urine. There are four main types of kidney stones:

• Calcium stones. Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone. Sometimes calcium combines with other minerals, such as oxalate, to form a stone. Several factors, including dietary choices and inadequate hydration, can cause these stones to form. Calcium oxalate stones are also more common for those who have certain medical conditions, such as obesity, hyperparathyroidism and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Uric acid stones. Another common type of kidney stone, uric acid stones can be hereditary. Eating foods such as red meat, shellfish and organ meat, which are high in a chemical called purine, can increase a person’s risk of developing uric acid stones. This type of kidney stone is also associated with gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, as well as chemotherapy.
• Struvite stones. Struvite stones are most commonly found in people who have repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs). These stones can become large and cause health problems if left untreated.
• Cystine stones. Less common than other types of kidney stones, cystine stones are caused by a rare hereditary condition called cystinuria that causes too much cystine, a naturally occurring chemical in the body, to build up in the urine.

Common symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Abdominal, back or groin pain
• Bad-smelling or cloudy urine
• Blood in the urine that is pink, red or brown
• Constantly needing to urinate
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain while urinating
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting

While men are more likely to experience kidney stones than women, they can happen to anyone, including children and teens. The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration. Not drinking enough fluids can lead to low urine output, which can cause kidney stones to develop.

Other risk factors include:

• Having a family or personal history of kidney stones
• Eating a diet that is high in protein, sugar and salt
• Having certain medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes or IBD
• Having undergone certain weight-loss surgical procedures

If you suspect you have kidney stones, contact your primary care provider or visit an urgent care center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as fever, chills, vomiting, intolerable pain or an inability to urinate, then you should visit the nearest emergency department. People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, should also seek immediate medical attention.

To diagnose kidney stones, your care team will evaluate your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Be sure to let them know if you are experiencing back or stomach pain. Your care team may perform a blood test to check levels of electrolytes, phosphorus or calcium.

Other tests may include:

• Urinalysis, a urine test to look for crystals or red blood cells in the urine
• Imaging tests, such as X-rays or an ultrasound, to determine the shape, size and location of the blockage

Treatment for kidney stones varies according to your specific situation. At MultiCare, we offer the following treatment options:

• Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. This nonsurgical treatment method directs high-energy ultrasound waves from outside the body to break up kidney stones into smaller, more passable pieces.
• Laser lithotripsy. Similar to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, laser lithotripsy breaks kidney stones into smaller pieces. In this minimally invasive procedure, a doctor passes a scope, a long thin tube with a camera attached to it, through the urinary tract. The laser is then passed through the scope and breaks up the kidney stones from inside the body. No incisions are necessary to perform this procedure.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy. During this surgical procedure, a surgeon removes large kidney stones through an incision in the back.

Kidney stones often come back after treatment, but you can reduce your risk of getting them again by drinking six to eight glasses of water per day. Your provider may prescribe medication to help prevent kidney stones from forming.