Urology

Urological Conditions

Treatment of Kidney Stones

Passing the Stone

Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system on their own. Drinking plenty of water (2 to 3 quarts a day) helps move a stone through the urinary system more quickly. You may need to stay home during this process, taking pain medication as needed. Urologists usually ask their patients to save passed stone(s) for testing. The testing helps discover the chemical make-up of the stone and other information needed to decide how to prevent recurrence (stop more stones from forming). You can catch the stone in a cup or tea strainer used only for this purpose.