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Managing Kidney Stones with Internal Medicine- Pain Relief and Long-Term Solutions

Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and How Internal Medicine Can Help

Kidney stones are a painful and often recurring condition that affects millions of people worldwide. These hard mineral deposits form in the kidneys and can vary in size—from tiny grains to larger stones that may block the urinary tract.

Passing a kidney stone can be extremely painful, but internal medicine offers several effective strategies to relieve pain, identify the cause, and prevent future stones. This guide explains how internal medicine doctors manage kidney stones, from immediate treatment to long-term prevention.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones form when certain substances in your urine—like calcium, oxalate, or uric acid—become too concentrated and crystallize. Over time, these crystals stick together and form stones.

There are several types of kidney stones:

• Calcium oxalate (most common)
• Uric acid
• Struvite (often linked to infections)
• Cystine (rare and genetic)

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Multiple factors can contribute to stone formation, including:

• Dehydration – Not drinking enough water leads to concentrated urine.
• Diet – High salt, protein, and oxalate-rich foods can increase risk.
• Obesity – Being overweight raises the chance of stone formation.
• Medical conditions – Conditions like gout, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease play a role.
• Family history – Kidney stones can run in families.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms may vary based on the stone’s size and location, but often include:

• Intense pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
• Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown discoloration)
• Frequent or painful urination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine

Step 1: Managing the Pain

The first goal is to ease the pain caused by moving or lodged stones. Internal medicine doctors may recommend:

1. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

NSAIDs, Ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce inflammation and provide relief for mild to moderate pain.

2. Opioids

For severe pain, short-term use of opioids like morphine may be needed—used cautiously due to their potential side effects.

3. Alpha Blockers

Medications like tamsulosin help relax the urinary tract muscles, making it easier for stones to pass.

4. Hydration Therapy

Drinking a lot of water helps flush out smaller stones. In more severe cases, IV fluids may be needed to rehydrate and assist with stone passage.

5. Heat Therapy

A warm heating pad applied to the lower back can ease muscle tension and provide additional relief.

Step 2: Diagnosing Kidney Stones

Accurate diagnosis helps guide treatment and prevent future problems. Doctors may use:

1. Urinalysis

A urine test can detect blood, infection, or tiny crystals that indicate the type of stone.

2. Imaging Tests

• CT scan – The most accurate way to locate stones.

• Ultrasound – A safe option during pregnancy or for initial screening.

• X-rays – Can detect large stones but may miss smaller ones.

3. Blood Tests

These check for high calcium or uric acid levels and help identify medical conditions contributing to stone formation.

Step 3: Preventing Kidney Stones

Once pain is controlled, long-term strategies focus on preventing future kidney stones from coming back. These may include changes in lifestyle, diet, or medication.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink enough water to produce clear or pale yellow urine. Most people need about 8–10 cups daily, though this varies.

2. Dietary Changes

• Reduce salt – High sodium raises calcium in urine.
• Limit animal protein – Too much red meat and fish increases uric acid.
• Eat calcium-rich foods – Dietary calcium binds oxalates in the gut, helping prevent calcium oxalate stones.
• Watch oxalate intake – Foods like spinach, beets, and rhubarb should be eaten in moderation, especially when not paired with calcium-rich foods.

3.  Medications

Depending on the type of stone:

• Thiazide diuretics – Reduce calcium in the urine (for calcium stones)
• Allopurinol – Lowers uric acid (for uric acid stones or gout)
• Potassium citrate – Makes urine less acidic, helping prevent uric acid and cystine stones

4. Healthy Lifestyle

• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stone risk to prevent kidney stones.
• Exercise regularly to support metabolism and balance
• Avoid dehydration by drinking water throughout the day

5. Regular Monitoring

If you’ve had stones before, ongoing care is essential. Regular check-ups, urine tests, and imaging help detect early signs of new stones and ensure your prevention plan is working.

Conclusion

Kidney stones can be painful, but they’re also treatable and preventable. Internal medicine doctors offer a comprehensive approach—from managing symptoms to identifying causes and preventing recurrence.

By staying well-hydrated, making smart dietary choices, and working with your doctor on a personalized plan, you can reduce your risk of future stones and protect your kidney health.

If you have had kidney stones or think you may be at risk, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to get started on a proactive, long-term prevention strategy.

Internal medicine specialists use a variety of diagnostic tools to assess the size, type, and location of kidney stones and to determine the best course of treatment.