Kidney stones are associated with significant pain, and without prompt medical attention, they can cause other complications as well. As a top-ranked urologist in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Bamshad offers the most advanced care options at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, helping patients relieve painful symptoms and avoid serious medical problems.
Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys, typically causing significant pain. While some kidney stones can pass through the urine on their own, others require intervention to break the stones apart so they can be excreted by the body. Kidney stones can be differentiated by the type of mineral that causes them to form. The most common types include:
Kidney stones form when minerals and acid salts build up inside the kidneys. Usually, these materials are passed out of the body through the urine, but under some conditions, they can clump together and form small concretions that can become lodged inside the kidneys. Kidney stones are more common among people with a family history of the condition, but metabolic diseases, diet, medications can other factors can also contribute to stone formation.
Small stones may pass through the urinary tract with few or no symptoms, while larger stones can cause:
Very small stones may be treated by drinking plenty of water to flush the stone out, sometimes accompanied by pain medication or anti-nausea medication to ease symptoms. Stones that are large or stubborn can be removed surgically using minimally-invasive techniques to break apart stones so they can pass through the urinary tract on their own. Diagnostic imaging can help determine the most appropriate approach.