1. Kidney Stones Slideshow Pictures

In this Article

• Introduction to the urinary tract
• What is a kidney stone?
• Who gets kidney stones?
• What causes kidney stones?
• What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
• How are kidney stones diagnosed?
• How are kidney stones prevented?
• How are kidney stones treated?
• Surgical treatment of kidney stones
• What about research on kidney stones?
• Points to remember about kidney stones
• Where can I get more information on kidney stones?
• Kidney Stones in Adults Index

Hope Through Research

The Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) funds research on the causes, treatments, and prevention of kidney stones. The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.

New medicines and the growing field of lithotripsy have greatly improved the treatment of kidney stones. Still, NIDDK researchers and grantees seek to answer questions such as

• Why do some people continue to have painful stones?
• How can doctors predict, or screen, those at risk for getting stones?
• What are the long-term effects of lithotripsy?
• Do genes play a role in stone formation?
• What is the natural substance(s) found in urine that blocks stone formation?

Researchers are also developing new medicines with fewer side effects.

Points to Remember

• A person with a family history of stones or a personal history of more than one stone may be more likely to develop more stones.
• A good first step to prevent the formation of any type of stone is to drink plenty of liquids -- water is best.
• Someone who is at risk for developing stones may need certain blood and urine tests to determine which factors can best be altered to reduce that risk.
• Some people will need medicines to prevent stones from forming.
• People with chronic urinary tract infections and stones will often need a stone removed if the doctor determines that the stone is causing the infection. Patients must receive careful follow-up to be sure that the infection has cleared.

For More Information

American Urological Association Foundation
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: 1-866-RING-AUA (746-4282) or 410-689-3700
Email: patienteducation@auafoundation.org
Internet: www.auafoundation.org
www.UrologyHealth.org

National Kidney Foundation
30 East 33rd Street
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 1-800-622-9010 or 212-889-2210
Internet: www.kidney.org

Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation
201 East 19th Street, Suite 12E
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 1-800-OHF-8699 (643-8699) or 212-777-0470
Fax: 212-777-0471
Email: execdirector@ohf.org
Internet: www.ohf.org

Source: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse