When Should I See a Doctor About My Kidney Stones?

Do you have kidney stones? About 1 in 10 adults do. Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside kidneys, and anyone can get them.

Kidney stones can be extremely painful when they move from your kidneys through your urinary system and out of your body. But not all kidney stones need medical treatment, so how do you know if you should go to the doctor for your symptoms?

The medical team at Advanced Urology offers comprehensive care for kidney stones — whether you have stones right now or you’re hoping to avoid painful stones in the future. We diagnose and treat all types of kidney stones.

Consider a trip to the doctor for your kidney stones if …

You have severe kidney stone symptoms

Kidney stones aren’t always painful. Very small stones may form in your kidneys and pass through your urinary system without causing symptoms, but larger stones can cause symptoms that range from mild discomfort to intense pain.

Some common symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Painful urination
• Persistent urge to urinate
• Severe back pain
• Severe abdominal pain
• Radiating groin pain
• Cloudy urine
• Red, pink, or brown urine
• Strong or unusual smelling urine
• Fever and/or chills

If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, it might be a sign of a large stone that needs medical treatment to exit your body.

Our team may recommend extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, a non-invasive treatment that breaks up stones with sound waves. In other cases, minimally invasive surgery may be necessary to remove stones from your kidneys or ureter.

You have signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI)

Since kidney stones can block your urinary tract, they can also increase your risk of urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI develops when bacteria get trapped in your urinary system and cause an infection.

UTIs can be very painful, and symptoms often include:

• Persistent urge to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Cloudy urine
• Red, pink, or brown urine
• Strong or unusual smelling urine
• Pelvic pain (in women) 

Many UTI symptoms mimic those of a large kidney stone, so you may not know you have a UTI right away. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, see the doctor or go to the nearest urgent care department as soon as possible.

UTIs need medical care and typically require prescription antibiotic medication. Without treatment, infection can spread to your kidneys and cause serious complications.

You have a history of kidney stones

Have you had kidney stones in the past? Even if you don’t have a painful kidney stone right now, you may benefit from seeing the doctor.

A history of kidney stones makes you more likely to experience more in the future. In fact, 50% of people with kidney stones get another within seven years.

The good news is that proactive care can help lower your risk. Our team evaluates your overall health, including your diet and any medications you’re taking, to see what might be causing your kidney stones.

Then, we help you implement lifestyle changes to help prevent stones. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding certain foods, and drinking plenty of water can reduce your risk of stones. If you consistently get the same type of kidney stones, preventive medication may also be an option for you.

Don’t hesitate to schedule a doctor’s appointment if you’re suffering from painful kidney stones. Our team at Advanced Urology specializes in a range of treatment options to relieve your symptoms and treat the stones. 

Call to schedule or request your first appointment online now at one of our offices. We’re in Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, Culver City, and San Pedro, California.