Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent further symptoms. (Kidney stones that are small enough usually pass on their own.) Treatment varies depending on the type of stone and how severe the symptoms are. People with severe symptoms might need to be hospitalized.

When the stone passes, the urine should be strained and the stone saved and tested to determine the type.

Drink at least 6 - 8 glasses of water per day to produce a large amount of urine. Some people might need to get fluids through a vein (intravenous).

Pain relievers can help control the pain of passing the stones (renal colic). For severe pain, you may need to take narcotic pain killers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen.

Depending on the type of stone, your doctor may prescribe medicine to decrease stone formation or help break down and remove the material that is causing the stone. Medications can include:

• Allopurinol (for uric acid stones)
• Antibiotics (for struvite stones)
• Diuretics
• Phosphate solutions
• Sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate (which make the urine more alkaline)

Surgery is usually needed if:

• The stone is too large to pass on its own
• The stone is growing
• The stone is blocking urine flow and causing an infection or kidney damage

Today, most treatments are much less invasive than in the past.

• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is used to remove stones slightly smaller than a half an inch that are located near the kidney. This method uses ultrasonic waves or shock waves to break up stones. Then, the stones leave the body in the urine.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used for large stones in or near the kidney, or when the kidneys or surrounding areas are incorrectly formed. The stone is removed with an endoscope that is inserted into the kidney through a small opening.
• Ureteroscopy may be used for stones in the lower urinary tract.
• Standard open surgery (nephrolithotomy) may be needed if other methods do not work or are not possible.

Expectations (prognosis):

Kidney stones are painful but usually can be removed from the body without causing permanent damage. They tend to return, especially if the cause is not found and treated.

Complications:

• Decrease or loss of function in the affected kidney
• Kidney damage, scarring
• Obstruction of the ureter (acute unilateral obstructive uropathy)
• Recurrence of stones
• Urinary tract infection

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of a kidney stone.

Also call if symptoms return, urination becomes painful, urine output decreases, or other new symptoms develop.