Kidney stones - what to ask your doctor

You have or had a kidney stone, a solid piece of material that forms in your kidney. The kidney stone may be stuck in your ureter (the tube that carries urine from your kidneys to your bladder). It also may be stuck in your bladder or urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to outside your body). A stone can block the flow of your urine and cause great pain.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

Questions

If I had a kidney stone removed, can I get another one?

How much water and liquids should I drink every day? How do I know if I'm drinking enough? Is it okay to drink coffee, tea, or soft drinks?

What foods can I eat? What foods should I avoid? Ask about:

  • Types of protein you can eat
  • Salt and other spices
  • Fried foods or fatty foods
  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Milk, eggs, cheese, and other dairy foods

Is it okay to take extra vitamins or minerals? How about herbal preparations?

What are the signs that I may have an infection?

Could I have a kidney stone and not have any symptoms?

Can I take medicines to keep kidney stones from coming back?

What surgeries can be done to treat my kidney stones?

What tests can be done to find out why I get kidney stones?

When should I call the doctor?

Alternate Names

Nephrolithiasis - what to ask your doctor; Renal calculi - what to ask your doctor; What to ask your doctor about kidney stones

Update Date: 12/16/2012

Updated by: Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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