Treatments for Kidney Stones
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Most kidney stones are small enough to eventually pass through the urinary tract without further complications. To facilitate this your doctor will likely advise you to:
- Drink 2-3 quarts of water a day.
- Take pain medication as needed.
- Take antibiotics if an infection is suspected.
- Save the stone (catch in a cup or a sieve during urination). Knowing what kind of stone it is can help you prevent a recurrence.
If the stone does not pass on its own, your doctor has several treatment options. The goals of treatment are to remove the stone and to reduce the chance that you will develop another one.
The treatment and management of kidney stones involve the following:
References:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/ .
National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/ .
Coe FL, Evan A, Worcester E. Kidney stone disease. J Clin Invest. 2005;115:2598-2608.
Parmar MS. Kidney stones. Brit Med J . 328:1120-1124.
Last reviewed June 2008 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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