Nephrology Services
Personalized Care for Kidney Stones
Kidney stones typically cause sudden, excruciating pain as they move through your urinary tract. Don't wait to seek help from double board-certified nephrologist Chadi Saad, MD at Home Comfort Dialysis when pain strikes.
80%
of kidney stones are calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate
Dr. Chadi Saad, MD
Double Board-Certified Nephrologist
Dearborn, Michigan
Kidney Stones Q & A
Why do I have kidney stones?
Your urine contains wastes that normally dissolve in the fluid. When certain minerals (and other substances) get too concentrated, they crystallize, hardening into a clump that turns into a kidney stone.
- Calcium (builds bones and is an electrolyte stimulating nerves and muscles)
- Phosphorous (a mineral needed for bones and DNA)
- Uric acid (a waste produced during metabolism)
- Oxalate (a compound from certain foods)
- Cystine (an amino acid)
- Struvite (a mineral associated with frequent urinary tract infections)
What symptoms do kidney stones cause?
Kidney stones are well known for causing extreme pain; however, they may cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Sudden, severe pain in your lower back
- Pain radiating to your abdomen
- Intense pain that comes and goes
- Blood in your urine
- Cloudy urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Urinary frequency
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Urinating in small amounts
Do kidney stones cause chronic kidney disease?
Kidney stones seldom cause kidney disease because they cause such pain they're treated before they can harm your kidney. However, a stone inside the kidney blocking the opening to the ureter may lead to a kidney infection. And kidney stones may raise your risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
What should I do if I have kidney stone symptoms?
You should immediately schedule an appointment with Dr. Saad. He does diagnostic imaging to identify the stone's size and location and then recommends the best treatment.
Small Stones
Dr. Saad recommends drinking plenty of fluids and prescribes medication that relaxes the ureter muscles and reduces your pain.
Medium Stones — Shockwave Lithotripsy (SWL)
SWL uses high-energy sound waves to break the stone into pieces small enough to pass through your urinary tract.
Large Stones
If you can't have SWL or have a large stone, Dr. Saad may recommend another minimally invasive procedure to remove the stone.
Don't wait to get help.
Call Home Comfort Dialysis right away or request an appointment online to schedule your visit.