Kidney Stones
Kidney stones manifest in the form of blood in urine, discomfort when urinating, lower abdomen pain, groin pain, and urinary urgency. If you are presenting any of these symptoms, a visit to a specialized urologist can help determine whether kidney stones are the cause and what the next steps are.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Also called renal calculi, kidney stones are solid formations of minerals and salts within the kidneys. Whereas some are harmless, others can grow in size and, when traveling down the ureter, block the urine flow and cause pain.
About the Kidneys, the Ureter and the Bladder
In layman’s terms, the urine is the product of the urinary system filtering the blood to release waste in it. This waste is what is left after the body has processed the food that it consumed and taken the necessary nutrients from it.
The urinary system is basically made up of the kidneys, ureters, and the bladder.
The kidneys are the filters that separate waste and form urine. They also release hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells.
The two narrow tubes going down the kidneys are the ureters; which carry the urine to the bladder. Within them, muscles contract and relax, which forces the urine downward.
The bladder, in the lower abdomen, stores and ultimately releases urine thanks to the contraction and relaxation of its muscles. The adult human bladder can hold up to 2 cups of urine before it needs to release it.
Symptoms
In many cases, kidney stones do not present complications. When they pass into the ureters, though, they can lead to:
- Pain in the lower back, where the kidneys are located.
- Pain that spreads to the lower stomach area.
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Blood in urine
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is imperative to consult with a kidney stone specialist, as they are not only painful, but pose a threat to the urinary tract and can also represent a bigger underlying issue like genetic disorders or chronic diseases. Leading board certified Dr. Alfred Shtainer is backed by a career spanning 30 years and offers comprehensive kidney stones examination and treatment at his offices in New York.
Types of Kidney Stones
Calcium Stones
Calcium kidney stones can be made of calcium oxalate (most common), or calcium phosphate (less common). The former kind are usually caused by a combination of diet and genetic factors. The latter are formed when the urine is too alkaline.
Cystine Stones
Quite rare, these stones are caused by a genetic disease called cystinuria, which produces an excess of amino acid cystine collection in the urine.
Struvite Stones
Most commonly suffered by women, they can be the result of UTIs. If they are ignored, they can lead to loss of kidney function and severe urinary tract infections.
Uric Acid Stones
Uric acid stones are mostly common in men. They tend to form because of the lack of water intake or a high animal protein diet. They can also be found in gout sufferers, as well a chemotherapy patients.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Shtainer utilizes imaging and laboratory tests to diagnose kidney stones. He may order:
- Urine sample test.
- X-rays, CT scans or ultrasounds.
- Blood work.
If the kidney stones diagnosis is confirmed and they persist (sometimes they go away on their own), at Shtainer urology, treatment involves utilizing ultrasound for location followed by energy waves or laser to break stones. This can done with two methods:
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
ESWL is a non-invasive procedure to break kidney stones using shock waves with the help of ultrasound imaging.
Laser Lithotripsy
Laser lithotripsy consists on inserting a laser through a scope in the urinary tract to break the stones. This procedure does not require the urologist making any incisions, therefore it is considered minimally invasive.
About Dr. Alfred Shtainer
With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Alfred Shtainer is one of New York’s foremost urological specialists. A Board Certified Urologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he holds a faculty appointment as Clinical Instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and serves as an attending urologist at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center.
FAQ
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones can form for several reasons, including not drinking enough fluids, a diet high in sodium, protein, or oxalate-rich foods (like spinach and nuts), obesity, family history, and certain medical conditions such as hyperparathyroidism or inflammatory bowel disease. Some medications can also increase the risk.
Do all kidney stones require medical intervention?
Not all kidney stones require medical intervention—many small stones (usually under 5–6 mm) pass on their own with adequate hydration and pain management. Dr. Shtainer may also prescribe medication to help relax the ureter and speed up passage.
How can I prevent kidney stones?
The most effective prevention strategy is staying well-hydrated—aim for 2.5 to 3 liters of water per day. Depending on the type, Dr. Shtainer may recommend reducing sodium, animal protein, or oxalate in your diet, or prescribe medications to prevent recurrence.