Kidney Stones Specialist

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are small deposits of built-up waste and minerals that can appear in your kidneys. Your kidneys filter waste from your blood, and waste products like calcium and uric acid can stick together to form small, solid stones.

Tiny kidney stones might not cause any symptoms or complications. However, larger kidney stones can cause painful urination, blood in your urine, and nausea. If you experience symptoms like these, Dr. Cristea can perform an ultrasound imaging test or computed tomography (CT) scan to locate and diagnose kidney stones. 

If it becomes dislodged, a kidney stone can travel through your urinary system. Sometimes, they get stuck in the ureters and cause a blockage that interrupts your urine flow. A lodged kidney stone can cause significant pain. 

What causes kidney stones?

There are many possible causes of kidney stones, including lifestyle factors, medical conditions, and medications. You might develop kidney stones due to:

• Obesity
• Bowel conditions
• Low urine volume
• Parathyroid gland overgrowth
• A high animal-protein diet
• Calcium or vitamin C supplements
• Genetics
  
  

Finding out specific causes related to your kidney stones can help you make the lifestyle changes you need to reach a better treatment outcome. 

How are kidney stones treated?

At Kidney Health Specialists, Dr. Cristea creates a treatment plan for you based on the size of the stone, what it’s made of, and whether it’s lodged in your urinary tract and causing a blockage. 

You can treat small kidney stones by drinking lots of water to help them exit via your urinary tract. For larger stones, Dr. Cristea might recommend:

• Medication to relax your ureters
• Shockwave lithotripsy
• Ureteroscopy
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
  
  

If certain causes contribute to your kidney stones, Dr. Cristea might recommend additional care like adjusting your diet, medications, or losing weight. 

How can I prevent kidney stones in the future?

The best way to prevent kidney stones is to drink plenty of water. Depending on your size, you should drink 8-12 cups of fluid per day.

If you have kidney disease, you may need to limit the fluids you drink daily. Dr. Cristea can help you find a balance so you can manage your kidney disease without putting yourself at high risk for kidney stones. 

Additionally, you can limit animal protein and sodium in your diet to reduce your risk for kidney stones. Dr. Cristea can evaluate your kidney stones to find out what’s in them and give you more specific advice for dietary changes. 

If you develop kidney stones, call Kidney Health Specialists, or schedule an appointment online today.