7 Signs You Might Have a Kidney Stone and What to Do About It
Topic at a Glance
- Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that develop in the kidneys and move through the urinary tract.
- Several factors, including diet, dehydration, genetics, and medical conditions, can increase kidney stone risk.
- Recognizing the early warning signs can help you seek treatment before complications develop.
- Treatment ranges from hydration and medication to procedures like shock wave lithotripsy for larger stones.
Kidney stones are a common and often painful condition that can affect anyone. These hard mineral deposits can develop in the kidneys and travel through the urinary system, sometimes causing severe discomfort and complications. Recognizing the warning signs early can help you seek the right treatment and prevent long-term issues with kidney function.
If you’re experiencing symptoms or are concerned about your risk, our specialists at Urology of Greater Atlanta are here to help. With multiple convenient locations across Georgia, we provide expert diagnosis and treatment for kidney stones and other urinary conditions. If you notice potential symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified urologists.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses made from minerals and salts that build up in the kidneys when stone-forming substances become concentrated in urine. These deposits develop when the body doesn’t have enough fluids to dilute minerals that pass through the kidneys.
The kidneys filter waste and help regulate fluid levels in the body. When urine becomes highly concentrated, crystals can form and stick together, causing stone formation. Over time, these crystals grow and form kidney stones, which can move through the urinary tract.
There are several types of kidney stones, including the following:
- Calcium oxalate stones: This is the most common type of kidney stone.
- Calcium phosphate stones: These are also a form of calcium stones
- Uric acid stones: These stones are linked to high uric acid levels
- Struvite stones: These are often associated with repeated urinary tract infections
- Cystine stones: These stones are caused by a rare genetic condition
While most kidney stones are small enough to pass naturally, some grow into larger stones that require medical treatment.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Several factors influence why kidney stones form, and often it’s a combination of lifestyle, diet, and genetics.
Some of the most common factors that cause kidney stones include:
Dehydration
If you don’t drink enough fluids, the concentration of minerals in your urine increases. These minerals form kidney stones.
Diet and Nutrition
Certain foods increase the risk of kidney stones forming. These include high amounts of animal proteins, too much salt, and sugar. Oxalate from leafy greens, nuts, and seeds can also increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions increase the chance of developing kidney stones, including:
- Urinary tract infection
- Digestive diseases
- Those who had gastric bypass surgery
- Metabolic disorders affecting uric acid
- Chronic conditions that affect the urinary system
Family History
A strong family history can increase your likelihood of developing stones, making you more prone to stone formation.
7 Kidney Stone Warning Signs
Recognizing the early signs of kidney stones can help you get treatment sooner and avoid complications.
1. Severe Pain in the Back or Side
One of the most common symptoms of kidney stones is sudden, sharp pain in the lower back or side. The discomfort may come in waves as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
Many people describe it as intense cramping pain that can radiate toward the abdomen or groin.
2. Blood in Your Urine
Seeing blood in your urine is a common symptom. The irritation caused by stones moving through the urinary system can damage tissues and cause bleeding.
3. Pain While Urinating
Pain or a burning sensation when urinating may occur if a stone reaches the bladder or the ureter. This symptom can sometimes be confused with a urinary tract infection.
4. Frequent Urination
A constant urge to urinate may happen when a stone blocks or irritates the area where the bladder drains urine.
5. Nausea and Vomiting
The intense pain associated with stones can trigger nausea and vomiting due to shared nerve connections between the kidneys and the digestive system.
6. Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Urine
Changes in urine appearance or smell may signal infection or inflammation, especially if the stone causes blockage or contributes to a kidney infection.
7. Difficulty Passing Urine
When larger stones obstruct the flow of urine, it can slow or block urine flow, leading to severe pain and the inability to urinate normally.
These symptoms of kidney stones can vary in severity depending on the size and location of the stone.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Kidney Stones?
If you notice possible kidney stone symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care promptly.
Doctors may perform several tests to confirm a diagnosis of kidney stones, including:
- Blood tests to check kidney health and uric acid levels
- Urine tests to identify stone-forming minerals
- Imaging scans to locate stones within the urinary tract
For small stones, doctors may recommend drinking enough fluids so the stones pass naturally.
Your provider may also prescribe:
- Pain medication to manage discomfort
- Certain medications to relax the urinary tract
- Treatments that help stones pass more easily
Prompt evaluation can also rule out complications such as a kidney infection or obstruction that affects kidney function.
How Are Kidney Stones Treated?
Treatment depends on the stone size, location, and symptoms.
Passing Small Stones Naturally
Many small stones pass through the urinary tract on their own. Drinking fluids and taking prescribed pain medication can help manage symptoms during this process.
Medications
You may be given alpha blockers to help relax your ureter. This helps kidney stones pass through more quickly with less pain. Doctors may also recommend medications such as potassium citrate to reduce urinary acidity or help dissolve certain stones.
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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
For stones that don’t pass naturally, shock wave lithotripsy is a common non-invasive treatment. It uses sound waves to break stones into smaller fragments so they can pass through urine.
Endoscopic ureteroscopy with holmium laser
Endoscopic ureteroscopy with holmium laser is a minimally invasive treatment to break up a kidney stone.
Under general anesthesia, your urologist inserts a scope into your bladder to locate the stones.
Then, they use the holmium laser to break the stone into small pieces that will be easier to pass.
Surgery
The Urology of Greater Atlanta experts offer surgery when other kidney stone treatments aren’t effective. Depending on your condition, they may recommend open surgery or percutaneous nephrolithotomy as a last resort.
During open surgery, your surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen to reach your kidney and extract the stone.
If your physician recommends percutaneous nephrolithotomy, they make a small incision in your back to access the kidney, then insert a hollow tube to remove the kidney stone.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones
Preventing stones often involves dietary and lifestyle changes that reduce substances in the urine that promote stone formation.
Helpful strategies include:
- Drinking enough fluids throughout the day
- Reducing salt intake
- Eating balanced amounts of calcium-rich foods
- Choosing less animal protein in meals
- Being mindful of certain foods that may trigger stones
Your doctor may also recommend specific diet changes depending on the types of kidney stones you’ve had before.
These preventive strategies can help prevent kidney stones, protect kidney function, and reduce the chance you’ll develop stones again.
Get Expert Kidney Stone Care in Georgia
Kidney stones can be extremely painful, but early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference. If you’re experiencing symptoms or want help lowering your kidney stone risk, the specialists at Urology of Greater Atlanta are here to help.
Our board-certified physicians provide advanced testing, personalized treatment plans, and prevention strategies tailored to each patient. With multiple locations across Georgia, expert care is always within reach.
Contact Urology of Greater Atlanta today to schedule an appointment and relieve kidney stone symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Stones
What are the most common symptoms of kidney stones?
The most common symptoms include severe back or side pain, nausea, frequent urination, and blood in your urine. These symptoms of kidney stones can vary depending on the stone size and location.
What foods increase kidney stone risk?
Diets high in animal protein, table salt, and certain foods high in oxalate may increase kidney stone risk. High salt intake can raise calcium levels in urine and contribute to stone formation.
Are calcium rich foods bad for kidney stones?
Not necessarily. In fact, eating calcium rich foods with balanced dietary calcium may help prevent calcium stones. However, excessive calcium supplements may increase the risk in some people.
How are kidney stones diagnosed?
Doctors use imaging scans, urine analysis, and blood tests to confirm the diagnosis of kidney stones diagnosed and determine their size and type.
Can kidney stones come back?
Yes. People who have had stones before may develop future stones if underlying risk factors aren’t addressed. Lifestyle changes and medical guidance can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
