Health Tip: Treating Kidney Stones

(HealthDay News) — Kidney stones are usually small crystallized masses that pass through the ureters — the tubes that allow urine to empty into the bladder. They can lead to significant lower back pain and painful urination.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine says possible treatment options for kidney stones include:

  • Drinking lots of water or receiving fluids intravenously.
  • Taking medication to help break up the stone, or taking medication to help manage pain.
  • Having surgery, usually in cases where the stone is too large to pass on its own, or the stone is causing infection or tissue damage.
  • Shock wave therapy to break apart the stone.