Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi): Treatments
A stone that develops from crystals that form in urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney, in the renal pelvis, or in the ureters. Kidney stones include calcium oxalate stones, cystine stones, struvite stones, and uric acid stones.
Part of: Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi)
About Kidney Stone Treatments
The treatment for kidney stones usually depends on their size and what they are made of. Kidney stones may be treated by your regular doctor or by a urologist – a doctor who specializes in the urinary tract. You may need treatment if you have symptoms or if a kidney stone is blocking your urinary tract. Small stones don’t usually need treatment. Still, you may need pain medicine. You should also drink lots of fluids to help move the stone along. If you are vomiting often or don’t drink enough fluids, you may need to go to the hospital and get fluids through a needle in your arm.
If you have a large kidney stone or your urinary tract is blocked, the urologist can remove the stone or break it into small pieces with the following treatments:
NIH – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases