Kidney Stones

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard stones that develop when substances that usually dissolve within your urine combine and form a small mass. This happens when there isn’t enough water in your urine to keep the materials from clumping together.

The leading cause of kidney stones is inadequate fluid intake and dehydration. Things like obesity and a diet high in sodium, uric acid, and purine can put you at a heightened risk of developing kidney stones.

The most common kind of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate. You usually flush away with your urine any calcium that your body doesn't use to support your bones. But when you have too much calcium in your body or you struggle to flush it out, calcium oxalate stones can form.

Among other stone-forming chemicals are urate, cystine, phosphate, and xanthine.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Kidney stone symptoms will vary depending on the size of the stones. Small kidney stones can be as little as a speck of dirt, while other stones can grow as big as a golf ball, sometimes even bigger. The bigger your kidney stone, the more pain and other problems you will have.

Common symptoms can include:

• Hematuria (blood in your urine)
• Discolored, cloudy, or dark urine
• Urine odor
• Sharp or dull lower back pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Chills

Sometimes, kidney stones cause infrequent symptoms as they move around or as they try to pass through your ureter, bladder, and finally, your urethra. 

Although many kidney stones pass naturally, some are too large to pass and cause continuous symptoms. That's when you need to see our providers at Urologic Surgeons of Arizona.

How do you treat kidney stones?

At Urologic Surgeons of Arizona, our providers consider the details of your condition to determine the right treatment approach. Tiny stones often move through your urinary tract and pass naturally. Prescription medications are available to help you pass kidney stones in some instances.

However, for bigger kidney stones that can't fit through the urinary system, you’ll need surgery. Procedures like laser lithotripsy use a slender scope to access your kidney stone and a laser to break it apart. Then, our providers remove it in fragments with a tiny basket.

Get relief for kidney stones by calling Urologic Surgeons of Arizona or clicking the online appointment scheduler anytime.