Treating Kidney Stones: An Overview
Most
kidney stones pass out of the body as fluids are increased (pain medicine will be prescribed as needed). However, if you have a stone that will not pass through your body, your doctor may need to perform a procedure to get rid of it. Once the kidney stone has passed, your doctor can then recommend ways of
preventing kidney stones in the future.
Home Remedies Used to Treat Kidney Stones
Most kidney stones pass through the urinary system with plenty of water (two to three quarts a day). This type of treatment is known as a home remedy. Doctors will usually ask that you save the kidney stones that pass through your body for testing.
If you experience any of the following symptoms when using a home remedy, you should call your doctor immediately. These symptoms include:
- Extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away
- Blood in your urine
- Fever and chills
- Vomiting
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
- A burning feeling when you urinate.
These may be signs of an infection.
Dissolving or Removing Kidney Stones
In the past, the only way to remove a problem stone was through major surgery. However, other treatment options for kidney stones are now available, including:
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
- Ureteroscopy
- Tunnel surgery.
