Most kidney stones are asymptomatic, meaning you don't even realize you have them because they are so small that they pass on their own with the flow of urine. In certain cases, there are very recognizable symptoms (see our article How to know if I have a kidney stone?) that will let you know you probably have a stone, and in this case, the first thing to do, especially if the pain is very intense, is to go to the emergency room and consult with a urologist.
If it is indeed a kidney stone, the urologist will indicate the best treatment to follow depending on the size, location, and type of stone you have.
Measures may include:
- Drinking more water and other liquids that are not soda or alcohol
- Eating more of some foods and reducing the consumption of others depending on the type of stone you have
- Taking medication or supplements to help prevent stones, as it is a chronic condition with high recurrence
- If the stone is small enough, generally less than 10 mm, taking an expulsive medical treatment can help you spontaneously expel the stone (anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha-blockers)
- If the stone is too large or blocked in the urinary system with little chance of spontaneous expulsion, a surgical intervention will be scheduled to proceed with the removal of the stone.
You may be asked to try to retrieve the kidney stone during its expulsion. You can do this by collecting all urine and straining it, or there are special systems to help you do so. The doctor will explain how to proceed, as collecting the stone will provide a lot of information about the possible causes of its formation and help recommend a personalized treatment to prevent recurrence.
