Kidney stone care

Kidney stones form when minerals in the urine crystallize. A stone that moves into the ureter causes sudden, severe flank pain, nausea and sometimes blood in the urine. About 1 in 10 people will have a stone in their lifetime, and half of them will have another within ten years.

How Dr. Uhr can help

Urgent evaluation with CT imaging to locate and size the stone, and relief of blockage when needed
Medical expulsive therapy — many small stones pass on their own with pain control and medication that relaxes the ureter
Shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) — focused sound waves break the stone into fragments that pass naturally, with no incision
Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy — a thin scope passed through the urethra and bladder reaches the stone, which is fragmented with a holmium laser and removed
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for very large stones, through a small incision in the back
Prevention — 24-hour urine testing and stone analysis to identify why you form stones, followed by diet changes or medication to prevent recurrence

If you have severe pain with fever or vomiting, go to the emergency department — an infected, obstructed kidney needs same-day treatment.