Kidney Stones
Kidney stone pain sends a clear message. Something is blocking the flow of urine and your body does not like it. The pain is sharp, urgent, and hard to ignore, so your care should not be slow or casual.
At Riverstone Urology Specialists, Dr. Russell Libby prioritizes same day or next available evaluation for patients with suspected kidney stones whenever scheduling and safety allow. He understands how intense stone pain feels and works to see stone patients quickly, control pain, and protect the kidneys long term for adults in North Houston, Cypress, The Woodlands or a nearby community.
What Are Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in the urine become too concentrated and start to crystallize. The crystals then stick together and form a solid stone.
Common Ingredients Include
- Calcium
- Oxalate
- Uric acid
- Phosphate
- Cystine in some inherited conditions
Stones can be tiny, like grains of sand, or grow much larger if they sit in the kidney. The ureter, the tube from kidney to bladder, is only a few millimeters wide. A stone that moves into this tube can block urine and trigger severe pain.
Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
Many Small Stones Pass Quietly. Trouble Starts When A Stone Moves And Blocks Flow. Typical Symptoms Include
- Sudden severe pain in the side or lower back
- Pain that can move toward the lower belly or groin
- Pain that comes in waves
- Blood in the urine
- Burning or pain with urination
- Needing to urinate more often or only passing small amounts
- Nausea or vomiting
You Should Seek Urgent Or Emergency Care If You Have
- Fever with stone symptoms
- Chills
- Vomiting that prevents you from keeping down fluids or medicine
- Pain so strong you cannot find a position that gives relief
Fever with a blocked kidney is a medical emergency because it can point to infection behind the blockage.
Why Some People Form Stones
Several Factors Raise Stone Risk
- Low fluid intake and concentrated urine
- Diet high in salt, some sugars, or excess animal protein
- Obesity
- Family history of stones
- Certain medical problems such as gout, diabetes, and some bowel diseases
Once you have one stone, your risk for another rises, so prevention becomes part of the plan after the first event.
How Dr. Libby Evaluates Kidney Stones
Evaluation has two goals. Confirm that a stone is the cause and check how much strain the kidney is under.
Typical Steps Include
- Review of pain pattern, urine changes, and past stone history
- Physical exam
- Urine testing for blood, infection, and crystals
- Blood tests to check kidney function and mineral levels
- Imaging such as CT scan, ultrasound, or plain X ray
If you pass a stone, Dr. Libby may send it for lab analysis. Knowing the stone type helps guide diet and medication for prevention.
He also checks for warning signs such as infection, rising creatinine, or a solitary kidney, which change how fast treatment needs to move.
Treatment Options For Kidney Stones
Treatment Depends On Stone Size, Location, Symptoms, And Infection Risk.
Letting A Small Stone Pass
If the stone is small and appears safe to pass, Dr. Libby may suggest
- High fluid intake within your medical limits
- Pain control
- Medicine to relax the ureter and help the stone move downstream
You strain your urine to catch the stone for analysis. You stay in close contact with the office so the team knows if pain worsens or new symptoms appear.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
For some stones in the kidney or upper ureter, ESWL uses focused sound waves from outside the body to break the stone into smaller pieces. Those pieces then pass more easily in the urine.
You can read more detail about this on the separate ESWL procedure page for Riverstone Urology.
Ureteroscopy And Laser
For stones lodged in the ureter or some kidney stones, Dr. Libby may recommend ureteroscopy
- A small scope goes through the urethra and bladder into the ureter.
- He locates the stone.
- A laser breaks the stone into fragments.
- A tiny basket may remove pieces.
Many patients go home the same day. A temporary stent in the ureter helps urine drain and prevents blockage while swelling settles.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
Very large stones sometimes need a more direct route. PCNL uses a small incision in the back to reach the kidney, break the stone, and remove fragments. This approach often suits stones that are too large or too hard for ESWL or ureteroscopy alone.
Hospital time is longer with PCNL compared with ESWL or ureteroscopy, so Dr. Libby reserves it for the right situations.
You strain your urine to catch the stone for analysis. You stay in close contact with the office so the team knows if pain worsens or new symptoms appear.
Treating Pain And Infection
Pain control is a major part of stone care. Over the counter options are often not enough for a passing stone. Prescription medicines or IV pain control in the hospital can be necessary.
If infection appears or if a blocked kidney is at risk, the first priority is drainage with a stent or a tube through the back into the kidney, then stone treatment once infection is under control.
Preventing Future Kidney Stones
Once The Current Stone Is Managed, The Focus Shifts To Lowering Future Risk. Preventive Steps Can Include
- Drinking enough fluid each day to keep urine pale
- Adjusting salt intake
- Reviewing animal protein intake
- Targeted changes in calcium and oxalate sources based on stone type
- Medicine in selected patients, for example to change urine acidity or lower calcium or uric acid levels
For patients with repeated stones, Dr. Libby may order a 24 hour urine study to measure minerals and other stone forming factors. The results point to very specific diet and medicine changes.
Kidney Stone Care At Riverstone Urology
Kidney stones are common. Estimates suggest that about one in ten people will have a stone at some point in life.
At Riverstone Urology, Dr. Libby Offers
- Fast evaluation for sudden stone pain
- Full range of treatment options, from watchful waiting with medicine to ESWL, ureteroscopy, and advanced surgery
- Prevention plans tailored to your stone type and lab results
If you feel a vaginal bulge, pelvic pressure, or notice new bladder or bowel changes, contact Riverstone Urology to schedule a visit with Dr. Libby. A focused evaluation and a practical plan can help you move from “putting up with it” to feeling more supported and in control.