Causes

Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form. A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop them. Certain conditions are also linked to kidney stones, including urinary tract infections, gout, and metabolic disorders such as hyper-parathyroidism. Excess intake of vitamin D and use of diuretics can cause kidney stones to form.

Symptoms

Usually the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain. It begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks or irritates the area. A person may feel a sharp, cramping pain in the back (near the affected kidney) or in the lower abdomen. Nausea and vomiting may also be present. Pain may also spread to the groin.

If the stone is not passed right away, pain will continue as the muscles of the ureter try to push it out. As the stone grows, you may notice blood in your urine. When the ureters move the stone closer to the bladder, you may feel the urge to urinate more frequently or you may feel a burning sensation during urination.

If you have fever or chills with these symptoms, you may have an infection. In this case, call your doctor right away.

Treatment

In most cases, kidney stones are small enough to pass through the urine without being noticed. The best way to help a stone pass is to drink plenty of water, about 8 to 12 cups a day. If you need to, you can take a pain medication to help relieve your symptoms. When you urinate, catch the urine in a cup or pass it through a strainer used only for this purpose. Your doctor will probably want you to save the passed stone for testing.

Surgery may be needed to remove a kidney stone if the stone:

• Does not pass after a reasonable period and causes constant pain
• Is too large to pass on its own or is caught in a difficult place
• Blocks the flow of urine
• Causes ongoing urinary tract infections
• Damages kidney tissue or causes constant bleeding
• Has grown larger (as seen by x-ray exam)

Prevention

If you have had a kidney stone, you are likely to form another, so prevention is important.

• Drink 12 to 16 glasses of water per day.
• Follow the advice of your doctor regarding what type of dietary modification you need to make. Dietary restrictions are based on the type of kidney stone you have.
• If your doctor prescribes medication, take it as directed.

Self-Care

• Drink plenty of water, about 12 to 16 glasses a day.
• Take a pain medication, such as acetaminophen, to relieve pain.
• Call your doctor if pain continues or if you have excessive blood in your urine or have been unable to urinate.