3 Treatments for Kidney Stones | Tennessee Valley Urology Center

A common condition we treat here at Tennessee Valley Urology Center is, of course, kidney stones. You can learn more about the symptoms and causes of kidney stones from Mayo Clinic. For now we’ll talk about the three main treatments for kidney stones.

The actual treatment of your kidney stone will depend upon the type of stone you have, how severe it is, and how long you’ve been having symptoms. Your healthcare provider will be able to discuss the best option for you and your situation.

Treatment options include:

Waiting for the kidney stone to pass
Many kidney stones may be passed on their own as you urinate. Smaller stones are certainly more likely to pass on their own than larger ones. You might wait between four to six weeks for the stone to pass is fine, assuming the pain is manageable and there are no other complications. It’s safe to wait for the stone to pass if there are no signs of infection and the kidney isn’t totally blocked. You should stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and take pain medication for discomfort as needed.

Medications to assist passing the stone
Some medications can improve the chances that a stone will pass on its own. Tamsulosin (Flomax) is commonly prescribed because it relaxes the ureter to make it easier for the stone to pass. In addition to pain medications, you might also need to take anti-nausea drugs as you wait for the stone to pass.

Surgical procedures to remove the kidney stone
If the kidney stone fails to pass, the pain is too intense to wait, is too large to pass on its own, or if it is impacting kidney function, surgery will be recommended. Kidney stones should also be surgically removed if they cause repeated urinary infections or they block the flow of urine from the kidney. Surgery for kidney stones today is minimally invasive with small–or zero–incisions. The pain following surgery is usually quite minor pain and requires little away from work. You can learn more about kidney stone surgeries here.

Let us know what questions you have about kidney stones and their treatment. Be sure to visit our website today to learn more about our center and services.