Current estimates predict that one out of every 10 people will have a kidney stone during their lifetime. As a prevalent health condition in which a hard deposit made up of minerals, salts, and chemicals enters your urine stream, it’s important to understand the issue and treatment options. Here’s what you should know.

Understanding Kidney Stones

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are caused by a combination of factors. As such, the primary reason for getting a kidney stone can vary from one patient to the next. However, there are some common factors that increase your risks, such as dehydration, a family history of kidney stones, and consuming a diet that’s high in protein, salt, and sugar.

Also, obesity, digestive diseases, and other medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections or hyperparathyroidism, can raise your risk. 

How Can a Urology Specialist Help?

Symptoms indicating you have a kidney stone include pain when urinating, the constant need to urinate, cloudy urine, or changes in the frequency and quantity of urine.

When you have a small kidney stone, you may be able to pass it naturally by drinking water to flush out your system and taking medication, called an alpha-blocker, that relaxes the muscles in your ureter to allow the stone to pass with less discomfort and resistance. Patients with larger kidney stones should have a urology specialist remove them with a scope, through surgery, or by using sound waves to break them into smaller pieces. 

If you’re experiencing discomfort and changes in your urination, the compassionate and experienced team at Medical Center Urology will help. Since opening in 1990, this High Point, NC-based practice has gone above and beyond to ensure patients across the Triad area have access to timely, quality care. To schedule an appointment with one of their urology specialists, call (336) 882-0220. For more information on the conditions they treat, visit this clinic online.