Substances in the urine (calcium, oxalate, phosphate, and uric acid, in particular) can crystallize within the kidney and form rock-like particles. The medical term for this condition is nephrolithiasis or renal stone disease. Kidney stones may be as small as a grain of sand or larger than a golf ball. They may be smooth, round, jagged, spiky, or asymmetrical depending on their composition. Most stones are yellowish to brownish-black in color, but variations in chemical composition can produce stones that are tan, gold, or black.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Management of Small Stones
If your stone is small, your doctor may recommend you try to pass it out in your urine. To do this, you need to drink a lot of water so that your urine is almost clear. Normally, your doctor will prescribe a pain medication to help with the discomfort and a medication to help your ureters (the tubes that carry urine) relax to allow the stone to pass.
Patients who suffer from recurrent stones may benefit from a medical workup. This may include stone analysis as well as blood and urine tests. Your doctor will decide which tests are appropriate for you. In some patients these tests may reveal abnormalities in your blood or urine, which may predispose you to kidney stones. Sometimes these abnormalities may be corrected with medical therapy, which can help prevent stone growth and recurrence.