Last week, we started our discussion of kidney stones. This week, we will wrap up the discussion by talking about how kidney stones are diagnosed and treated along with how you might prevent kidney stones from happening to you.
How is a kidney stone diagnosed?
If you have symptoms that are suspicious for a kidney stone, you will probably get at least one and maybe all of these tests:-
Urine tests – A urinalysis looks for blood, signs of infection, and certain stone-forming crystals in the urine. A urine culture can be done to look for bacteria.
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Imaging tests – This might be an X-ray, an ultrasound, or a CT scan. These tests can show the size and location of stones and whether a stone is blocking the flow of urine.
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Blood tests – To check your kidney function, look for signs of infection, and to look for underlying conditions that increase your risk of kidney stones.
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Stone analysis – This is not done to make the initial diagnosis of kidney stone, but more to help diagnose the underlying cause. If you have passed a stone and caught it, that stone can be sent for analysis to determine what mineral or salt is predominantly present, which can help guide future preventive treatment.
How are kidney stones treated?
Treatment depends on the size of the stone and how badly it is blocking urine flow. About 80% of kidney stones can pass on their own.
Small to medium sized stones often pass on their own with increased fluid intake and pain relievers. The smaller stones usually pass within a few days, but it can take up to three weeks depending on their size.
If you are sent home to pass a stone, your doctor will likely ask you to urinate through a strainer in order to know when the stone passes and to catch the stone for analysis.
Larger stones which can’t pass on their own may require medical procedures such as:
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Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) – Uses sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces, which may then pass through the urinary tract on their own.
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Surgical removal – for larger stones
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Ureteroscopy – Removal of stones using a thin scope inserted through the urethra and bladder. Sometimes a tube, called a stent, is left in the urethra for a few days or weeks to allow the urethra to heal from injury caused by the stone, and allow any residual small pieces of stone to pass more easily. The stent will need to be removed later with the ureteroscope.
What can you do to decrease your risk of developing kidney stones?
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Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated on a daily basis.
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Eat a diet low in sodium and sugars.
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Limit animal proteins in your diet.
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Avoid foods high in oxalate, such as spinach and chocolate.
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Maintain a healthy weight.
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Significantly limit carbonated beverages, even those with low or no sugar.
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Limit alcohol intake.
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Eat a diet rich in high calcium foods while avoiding calcium supplements and antacids containing calcium. Although calcium supplements can increase your risk of kidney stones, a diet rich in natural calcium sources actually helps prevent kidney stones.
Medication for prevention:
If you have had kidney stones in the past, and dietary changes have not prevented them, your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent kidney stones. The medication chosen will depend on which type of stone your body is making. This medication will work in concert with the above dietary measures, not in place of them.
If you have any questions about kidney stones, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor