According to the Mayo Clinic, kidney stones, also called renal lithiasis, are small, hard deposits made of mineral and acid salts that form inside the kidneys. Kidney stones can be painful, especially as the stone moves through the urinary tract. The pain associated with a kidney stone may start in the side or back underneath the ribs and move slowly into the lower abdomen and groin area. Kidney stones may be diagnosed by X-ray or computerized tomography scan. There are several treatment options for kidney stones.
Lifestyle Changes
In many cases, a kidney stone may pass on its own. Drinking additional water may help to flush the stone out into a patient's urine. Some kidney stones may be composed of calcium oxalate. Physicians may advise patients to limit their intake of calcium-rich foods and calcium supplements. According to the Mayo Clinic, foods that are high in calcium oxalate include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, tea, chocolate and soy products. Patients may have to avoid food with added vitamin D and certain types of antacids that have a calcium base, reports The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Medical Therapy
Some medications may be used to prevent and treat kidney stones. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that doctors usually try to control hypercalciuria---a condition in which there is too much calcium in the urine---and thus prevent calcium stones by prescribing certain diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, which work by decreasing the amount of calcium released by the kidneys into the urine. Pain medications may also be prescribed for patients to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with kidney stones.
Surgery
Surgery may be necessary for the treatment of kidney stones if the stone is causing severe pain, is too large to pass by itself, blocks the flow of urine or begins to cause bleeding into the abdominal cavity. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a procedure that uses sound waves to create vibrations, which break the stones into tiny pieces that are then easily passed in the urine. If this method is ineffective, doctors may try a procedure known as percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This procedure involves making a small incision in the back and removing the stone surgically.
