What is kidney stones?

Kidney stones are small "pebbles" that form in your kidneys. They're made of salts and minerals in the urine.

Stones may not cause a problem as long as they stay in the kidneys. But they can cause sudden, severe pain. Pain is most likely when the stones travel through the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder). Kidney stones can cause bloody urine.

Kidney stones often run in families. You are more likely to get them if you don't drink enough fluids, mainly water. Certain foods and drinks and some dietary supplements may also increase your risk for kidney stones if you consume too much of them.

If kidney stones stay in the kidney, they typically do not cause pain. When they travel out of the body through the tubes of the urinary tract, their movement may cause symptoms. These include:

• Sudden, severe pain that gets worse in waves. Stones may cause intense pain in the back, side, abdomen, groin, or genitals.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Blood in the urine. This can occur with stones that stay in the kidney or with those that travel through a ureter.
• Frequent and painful urination. This may happen when the stone is in the ureter or after the stone has left the bladder and is in the urethra. Painful urination may occur when a urinary tract infection is also present.

If kidney stones are small enough, they may not cause symptoms.

Kidney stones may be diagnosed when you see your doctor or go to an emergency room with pain in your belly or side. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine you.

Your doctor may do tests to help diagnose kidney stones and see where they're located. Tests include:

• A noncontrast spiral CT scan. This is a special type of CT scan that moves in a circle.
• An ultrasound exam (ultrasonogram). This uses reflected sound waves to examine your urinary tract.
• An intravenous pyelogram (IVP). This is an X-ray test that shows pictures of the urinary tract and kidney stones.
• A retrograde pyelogram. This uses a dye to check whether a kidney stone or something else is blocking your urinary tract.
• Urinalysis and urine cultures. These test your urine.
• An abdominal X-ray (KUB). This creates a picture of the kidneys, the bladder, and the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder (ureters).

If your doctor thinks the stone can pass on its own, you may be told to take medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The doctor may also suggest drinking enough fluids. You'll need to keep drinking water and other fluids when you are passing a kidney stone.

Your doctor may prescribe medicine (alpha blockers) to help your body pass the stone.

If your pain is too severe, you have an infection, or the stones are blocking the urinary tract, your doctor will probably suggest a medical procedure, such as lithotripsy. This uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces.

Or the doctor will need to remove the stone or place a small, flexible plastic tube in the ureter. This is done to keep the ureter open while stones pass.

Some people choose procedures such as lithotripsy over waiting for the stone to pass on its own or using prescription medicine. This is so they can pass the stone sooner or pass smaller stones. It's important to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.

Drinking more fluids and taking pain medicine are often the only things you need to do when you pass a kidney stone.

Drinking fluids.

When you are passing a kidney stone, drink plenty of water.

If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and need to restrict fluids, talk with your doctor before drinking more fluids.

Using pain medicine.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may relieve your pain.

NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Advil and Motrin). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medicine if you need it.