Kidney Stone Treatment- What Your Urologist May Recommend

Kidney stones can be painful and difficult to pass. If you are having trouble passing a stone, your urologist may recommend a variety of treatments to help you manage the pain and reduce the risk of the stone getting bigger or causing more complications. Here, we’ll discuss what urologists near me may recommend when it comes to kidney stone treatment.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can cause a variety of symptoms, including severe pain in the lower back, side, or groin. This pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and bloody urine. Additional symptoms include a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and chills and fever if an infection is present.

Pain may be intermittent or constant, depending on the size and location of the stone. Other symptoms may include increased or decreased frequency of urination, a feeling of urgency when urinating, and an urge to urinate at night. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms as they can be indicative of other medical conditions.

Diagnosing Kidney Stones

Your urologist may use a variety of tests to diagnose your kidney stones. The most common tests used are ultrasound, CT scan, or X-ray.

  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of your kidneys, bladder, and other parts of your urinary tract.
  • CT Scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create an image of your kidneys and other parts of your urinary tract.
  • X-ray: An X-ray is an imaging test that uses radiation to create an image of your kidneys and other parts of your urinary tract.

These tests will help your urologist diagnose the size, shape, and location of your kidney stone.

Treatments for Kidney Stones

Once your urologist has diagnosed the kidney stone, he or she may recommend one of several treatments to help you manage the pain and reduce the risk of the stone getting bigger or causing more complications.

  • Pain Medication: Your urologist may recommend over-the-counter pain medications to help manage the pain.
  • Fluid Intake: Staying hydrated is always important, but especially so when you have kidney stones. Your urologist may recommend increasing your fluid intake in order to help you pass the stone more easily.
  • Dietary Changes: Your urologist may recommend making dietary changes to reduce the risk of new stones forming. He or she may recommend reducing the amount of salt, animal protein, and oxalate-rich foods in your diet.

Conclusion

Kidney stones can be painful and difficult to pass. If you are having trouble passing a stone, your urologist near me may recommend a variety of treatments to help you manage the pain and reduce the risk of the stone getting bigger or causing more complications. These treatments may include over-the-counter pain medications, increasing your fluid intake, making dietary changes, ESWL, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and in some cases, surgery.

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