As part of Cincinnati’s top clinic for kidney care, the team at Mt Auburn Nephrology takes on a whole host of conditions, providing top-notch testing and treatment. One of the more common conditions they encounter is kidney stones, which are hard, small mineral and acid salt deposits that form in the kidneys and may travel to the urinary tract. Ultimately, kidney stones aren’t necessarily dangerous in themselves—though there is always the risk of infection—but their presence can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain.

While there are a variety of causes for this condition, symptoms aren’t usually felt until the stones actually move within the kidneys or pass into the tube that connects the kidney and bladder. What are the symptoms?

• Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs, spreading into the abdomen and groin
• Painful urination
• Cloudy, smelly urine, that is sometimes pink, red or brown
• Persistent need to urinate
• Less urine than usual
• Nausea and vomiting

It’s important to note that if any of these symptoms becomes particularly severe, you should seek out medical attention immediately.

There are several kinds of tests for kidney stones—blood tests, urinary analysis, imaging and even analysis of passed stones—and these can determine not only the presence of the condition but can provide insight into the causes of it. Treatments range based on the size of the stones; smaller ones without infection can be passed by drinking large amounts of water and taking pain relievers. However, in cases with larger stones or infection, there are both surgical and non-surgical options: sound waves can be used to break up larger stones, larger stones in the kidney can be surgically removed or a scope might be used to locate and remove stones in the urinary tract.

If you’re concerned about kidney stones, require testing for or treatment of chronic kidney disease or any other related issues, there’s no one better to work with than Mt Auburn Nephrology. Find out more about this dedicated nephrology practice by checking out its website or simply calling (513) 841-0222.