multiple kidney stones
I am dealing with some pretty worrisome health issues lately. For the past few months, I’ve had these excruciating pains in my lower back and abdomen, which I initially thought were just muscle aches from my gym routine. But when the pain got unbearable, I went to the ER and they did a CT scan. The results came back showing multiple kidney stones, and the doctor said they’re pretty large too! Now I'm freakin out because I have no idea what this means for me long term. I mean, how does multiple kidney stones even happen? Is this genetic? My dad had stones, but I always thought it skipped a generation or something. I also have been drinking tons of water, but I’m still getting these stones. Is there something I’m missing? I read about dietary changes but it seems overwhelming. And what kind of treatments are out there for multiple kidney stones? Like do I need surgery, or could it somehow just pass? I’m feeling all over the place and just want to get educated on what I could expect. Any advice from you all would be super helpful!
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Doctors' responses
Dealing with multiple kidney stones can definitely be challenging and understanding the cause and management is key. Kidney stones form when there’s a high concentration of certain substances in your urine that can crystallize. Calcium stones, often in the form of calcium oxalate, are most common. While hydration helps by diluting these substances, some people have a higher tendency to form stones due to dietary factors, lifestyle, or genetic predisposition. Your family’s history might increase risk but does not solely determine it. It’s good you’re drinking lots of water—aim for 2 to 3 liters daily to maintain dilute urine.
Diet can contribute significantly to stone formation—reducing sodium can help, as too much salt increases calcium in the urine. Avoiding excessive intake of oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach, nuts, and tea) may be beneficial. Also, reducing red meat, sugar, and processed foods while maintaining adequate calcium intake (from dairy or other sources) helps prevent stones. Given the stones are large, self-passage might not be feasible, and medical intervention may be necessary. Treatments range from medications that manage pain and aid in stone passage, to minimally invasive procedures, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which breaks stones into smaller pieces, or ureteroscopy, where stones are removed with a scope. In more complex cases, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a surgical procedure, may be needed.
It’s vital to work closely with a healthcare provider to tailor the approach based on stone type, size, and symptoms. They might suggest tests for underlying metabolic conditions to understand why stones develop. If experiencing severe flank pain, blood in urine, or fever, seek immediate medical help, as these could be indicators of complications like infection or obstruction. Medications, dietary supplements, or lifestyle modifications should only be adjusted after consulting with your doctor, who can also refer you to a nutritionist specializing in kidney stone prevention if dietary changes seem daunting.
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