How to Identify a Kidney Stone

A kidney stone is a solid formation of minerals in the kidney that passes through the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and bladder, and eventually through the urethra. Kidney stones are harmless if they remain in the kidney, but they are much more painful when they pass through the ureter and urethra. The common treatment for kidney stones is to zap the stone using a sonic device so that the stone breaks down into smaller pieces that can pass more easily through the urinary tract. Identifying a kidney stone is relatively easy if you know the telltale symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Kidney specialist

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Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  Observe and take note of the various symptoms that may point to a kidney stone. The most common symptom is blood in the urine. Other symptoms include extreme pain that comes in waves, nausea, vomiting, painful urination, pain in the genitals, and frequent urination.

• 2

  If you pass a kidney stone during urination, take note of its size, shape and composition. This will help the doctor determine the cause of your kidney stone and recommend the proper treatment and prevention method for future stones. Stones vary greatly in size, with some as small as a grain of sand and others as large as golf balls. They can be smooth or jagged, and their chemical composition varies as well.

• 3

  Make an appointment with a kidney specialist as soon as possible if you suspect kidney stones. Bring any stones you have passed along with you for the doctor to analyze. The doctor will do various tests, including blood and urine tests, to identify the stone and its cause. A CT (computerized tomography) scan or IVP (intravenous pyelogram) are other common procedures for diagnosing kidney stones. The doctor also may ask for a 24-hour urine collection to measure the levels of various minerals and chemicals in your urine throughout the course of a day.

• 4

  Work with your doctor to prevent stones in the future. Some stones require surgery while others pass naturally through the body. To pass kidney stones, you must drink lots of water. In fact, water is one of the most common recovery and prevention recommendations, and lack of water is one of the leading causes of kidney stones.