Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are very painful when they are passing into the ureter. They are generally made of calcium oxalate, uric acid or struvite. Collecting a 24 hour urine sample to analyze a stone is the best way to find out their composition. Treatment is centered on increasing water intake to a couple of quarts a day and managing the pain. Occasionally it is necessary to break up a stone using lithotripsy or remove it with special equipment. Infections can complicate stones that are obstructing the ureter and antibiotic treatment may become necessary.