Kidney Stones

Kidney Stone Symptoms

Kidney stones are very common, with nearly 1 in 10 people experiencing one in their lifetime. How do you know if you have one? The larger the stone, the more symptoms you will have. Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in the lower back and side
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Urgent or frequent need to urinate

What Causes Kidney Stones?

The main cause of kidney stones is dehydration from not drinking enough water or not having enough fluids in your body. Living in a hot climate like in South Carolina can increase your risk of dehydration. Other causes and risk factors of kidney stones include:

• Family history
• Medications such as diuretics (pills to rid your body of excess water) and topiramate (Topamax®, an anti-seizure medicine)
• Medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease and urinary tract infection
• Diets that are high in sodium or other minerals commonly found in kidney stones such as oxalate (found in tea and peanuts)
• Obesity 

Kidney Stone Treatment Options

Our highly experienced urology team offers all the most advanced treatment options available for kidney stones. We tailor each treatment plan to your specific needs, based on the location, size, and chemical makeup of the stone.

The first line of treatment, especially for small stones, is to help you pass the stone on its own. We recommend drinking more water and may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers. We can also prescribe medication to relax muscles in your urinary tract to help the stone pass.

Some types of kidney stones - those that are larger or are causing complications such as bleeding or urinary tract infection - require other treatment methods. Our expert urologists offer advanced surgical or minimally invasive procedures to remove the stone:

• Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A noninvasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up the kidney stone into small pieces so it’s easier to pass.
• Endoscopic Surgery Through the Urinary Tract: A minimally invasive procedure in which urologists guide a scope through the urinary tract to the stone to break it up.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): A minimally invasive procedure to remove larger kidney stones in the kidney.
• Robotic Surgery: A minimally invasive procedure in which surgeons use robotic instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen to remove the stone.