Emergency Treatment for Kidney Stones
If you have kidney stones, you may not even know it. Made mostly of calcium, these tiny specks can pass through your urine without any symptoms. Kidney stones can, however, turn life threatening if they get stuck in your ureter, the tube connecting your bladder and kidney.
If you are experiencing significant, sharp kidney stone pain in your lower back that spreads to your groin or abdomen, seek emergency care at Dignity Health St. John's.
Determining What Causes Kidney Stones at Dignity Health St. John's
Kidney stones start as a very small speck and gradually grow. Made of calcium, they also contain amino acids or uric acid.
Dignity Health St. John's emergency doctors realize that kidney stone pain can be severe. Kidney stone treatment is delivered with care, dignity, and respect.
Certain risk factors can make you more likely to develop kidney stone. They include being male and having a personal or family history of kidney stones. Other risk factors include:
- Gout
- High blood pressure
- Dehydration
- Obesity
- Long exposure to high altitudes or a hot climate
- Long periods of inactivity
- Urinary tract infection
Your doctor at Dignity Health can explain ways to reduce your risk factors and likelihood of kidney stones.
Care with Humankindness for Kidney Stones
Your doctor will determine your personalized care plan for kidney stone treatment on the Central Coast. Smaller stones that are not creating symptoms may pass on their own. For larger stones, drinking plenty of fluids, combined with medication, can help you flush the stone.
If the kidney stone does not pass, options include kidney stone shock wave therapy to crush the stone or removal using a catheter procedure or surgery. Find a Doctor today at Dignity Health Central Coast to decide if kidney stone treatment is right for you.
Dignity Health’s emergency team can help relieve your with kidney stone symptoms.