MaineHealth urology specialists offer the latest treatments for kidney stones. Patients can get rapid diagnosis and effective kidney stone treatment, often without surgery.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are hard crystals that form in the kidney or urinary tract. They may get bigger over time and can be painful. Most kidney stones pass through urine. Some kidney stones require medical treatment.
Who is at risk for kidney stones?
Not drinking enough fluids is a common reason for kidney stones. Other risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Family history of kidney stones
- Medical history of urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Having gout or Crohn’s disease
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
The most common kidney stone symptom is pain in the side of your stomach or back. The pain may be sudden and severe, and may radiate from your side down to the groin. Other symptoms are:
- Pain with urination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloody urine
- Urinating a lot
- Sweating
How are kidney stones diagnosed?
Your provider may order a variety of tests to tell if you have kidney stones. The tests can include:
- Urinalysis
- Blood test
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
How are kidney stones treated?
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you are having kidney stone symptoms. Your PCP may tell you to drink a lot of water and take a pain reliever. The kidney stone may pass when you urinate. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist to break up or remove larger kidney stones. A larger stone can get stuck in the urinary tract and block the urine flow. Our urologists use the latest technology as an alternative to open surgery.
Primary care is your first stop for health care
Talk to your primary care provider if you are having kidney stone symptoms.
