Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.
Diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes of kidney stones. Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract from your kidneys to your bladder. Often, stones form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
Passing a kidney stone(s) can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage if they’re recognized in a timely fashion. Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take a prescription medication and drink plenty of water to pass a kidney stone. In other instances, for example, if stones become lodged in the urinary tract, associated with a urinary infection, or cause complications, surgery may be needed.
Kidney Consultants of New Mexico may recommend preventive treatment to reduce your risk of recurrent kidney stones if you’re at increased risk of developing them again.
Symptoms
A kidney stone usually will not cause symptoms until it moves around within the kidney or passes into on of the ureters. The ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.
If a kidney stone becomes lodged in the ureters, it may block the flow of urine and cause the kidney to swell and the ureter to spasm, which can be very painful. At that point, you may experience:
- Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs
- Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
- Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
Other signs and symptoms may include:
- Pink, red or brown urine
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- A persistent need to urinate, urinating more often than usual or urinating in small amounts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills if an infection is present
Pain caused by a kidney stone may change, for instance, shifting to a different location or increasing in intensity as the stone moves through your urinary tract.
When to consult a physician
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, contact Kidney Consultants of New Mexico for an appointment.
Seek immediate medical attention if your experience:
- Pain so severe that you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
- Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Pain accompanied by fever and chills
- Blood in your urine
- Difficulty or inability to pass urine
Meet with a specialist
To schedule an appointment with our office, please fill out the form below and one of our staff members will contact you to schedule your appointment!
FAQs – Kidney Stones
1. What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can develop when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.
2. What are the common symptoms of kidney stones?
Symptoms may include severe pain in the side or back, pain that moves toward the lower abdomen or groin, painful urination, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination.
3. What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones can be associated with diet, excess body weight, certain medical conditions, supplements, and medications. They often form when urine becomes highly concentrated.
4. How are kidney stones treated?
Small stones may pass naturally with adequate fluids and prescribed medication. If a stone becomes lodged, causes an infection, or leads to complications, a procedure or surgery may be necessary.
5. When should I seek medical attention for kidney stones?
Immediate medical attention is recommended for severe pain, pain with fever or chills, persistent nausea and vomiting, blood in the urine, or difficulty or inability to urinate.
