Kidney stones send more 500,000 people to emergency rooms each year. These small, hard deposits of minerals and acid salts can not only be painful when passing through the urinary tract, but can also stop urine from flowing altogether. This can lead to infections of the urinary tract or kidneys, if they are left untreated.
How to get rid of kidney stones
Treatment for kidney stones may vary, depending on their size. While most small stones do not require invasive treatment, larger stones may require more extensive, medical procedures. Here is additional information about how to get rid of kidney stones:
- Small kidney stones
You may be able to pass a small stone by drinking plenty of water, taking pain relievers or muscle relaxers. Here are additional tips for getting rid of small kidney stones:- Drink plenty water so your urine runs clear. This will help flush out your urinary system.
- Take pain relievers (e.g., Aleve, Tylenol, Advil or Motrin IB) to ease mild pain associated with kidney stones.
- Take prescribed medication from your doctor that will help relax the muscles and pass your kidney stone more easily.
- Large kidney stones
When large stones are unable to pass on their own—or cause bleeding—they often lead to more severe conditions like kidney or urinary tract infections. Procedures to remove or break up larger kidney stones may include:- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL is an ultrasound therapy that uses sound waves to create shock waves, which help break up larger kidney stones into tiny pieces. This helps make the kidney stones easier to pass through the urine. - Surgery
Small telescopes and instruments may be inserted through a small incision in your back to remove larger kidney stones. - Scoping
A thin lighted tube (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera is passed through your urethra and bladder intro your ureter to capture or break kidney stones into tiny pieces that can be easily passed through the urine.
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
If you are struggling with the pain and discomfort of kidney stones, call South Texas Renal Care Group at 210-212-8622 to schedule an appointment. Our kidney doctors provide the best kidney stone treatment in South Texas.