Kidney Stones

Overview

Kidney stones are crystalline masses within the kidney's collecting system, formed when minerals in the urine crystallize and deposit. Small stones often pass with urine, but larger ones may block the ureter, causing severe flank pain.

Symptoms

• Flank and abdominal colic
• Hematuria
• Urinary frequency
• Nausea
• Difficulty urinating

Treatment

Smaller stones can be passed by drinking plenty of water and taking medication, while larger stones can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. Acute colic requires pain relief and antispasmodics.

Dietary advice

Drink plenty of water daily to dilute the urine, limit high-oxalate and high-salt diets, and take adequate calcium rather than over-restricting it.