A sharp pain in your back or side that stops you in your tracks is often the first sign of a kidney stone. For some, it’s accompanied by nausea, fever, or difficulty urinating. While they may be small, kidney stones can cause serious discomfort and complications. At Iowa Kidney Physicians, with offices in Des Moines and West Des Moines, IA, our nephrology team specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney stones using medical and preventive approaches to restore comfort and protect kidney health.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard mineral aggregations that form when substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid become super concentrated in urine and crystallize. The stones may remain within the kidney or pass into the urinary tract, where they may block urine and lead to very painful symptoms. Symptoms and signs are severe flank or back pain, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, and urination that's painful or more frequent than normal. If there is suspicion of a kidney stone, immediate evaluation at Iowa Kidney Physicians must be done to delineate the size, location, and optimal therapy.
Medical Treatment Options
Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size, type, and location. Small stones can often pass on their own with increased fluid intake, pain relief, and medications like alpha-blockers that help relax the urinary tract. More advanced options may be necessary for larger stones or those causing a blockage. At Iowa Kidney Physicians, we coordinate closely with urologists to provide you with smooth, effective care.
Prevention Through Lifestyle and Diet
Prevention of the recurrence of stones is as important as prevention of existing stones. Our team helps patients with preventive measures like ensuring proper hydration to make the urine thick, adhering to a low-sodium, balanced diet, and monitoring oxalate-rich foods like spinach, beets, and nuts. Surprisingly enough, proper calcium intake from foods lowers the risk of calcium oxalate stones by blocking oxalate absorption in the intestines. We also evaluate for any underlying metabolic derangements leading to recurrent stone formation and deliver individualized nutrition guidance to reduce your long-term risk.
When to Seek Help
Kidney stones can escalate quickly. If you’re experiencing severe pain, visible blood in your urine, chills, fever, or difficulty urinating, don’t delay—these may be signs of infection or obstruction. The team at Iowa Kidney Physicians offers advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and comprehensive treatment plans to address the problem and prevent future occurrences.
Comprehensive Kidney Stone Care in Central Iowa
With decades of experience and a collaborative approach to nephrology, Iowa Kidney Physicians is your trusted resource for managing and preventing kidney stones. Our providers offer personalized care at our convenient locations in Des Moines and West Des Moines, IA, helping patients throughout Central Iowa find relief and protect their long-term kidney health.
Call us at 515-336-6557 to schedule a consultation or visit www.iowakidney.com today.