Most kidney stones pass through the urinary tract without obstructing the flow of urine.

General treatment for a kidney stone includes:

• Narcotic pain medications:
• Can dilate the ureter and encourage the kidney stone to pass
• Encourage fluid intake
• Urine is strained and the stone is analyzed, in order to identify the type of stone.
• Depending on the type of stone, medications may be prescribed that reduce the formation of kidney stones.

When a kidney stone obstructs the flow of urine, treatment may include:

• Intravenous fluids
• Intravenous narcotic pain medication
• Medication for vomiting

The treatment for large kidney stones may include:

• Lithotripsy for kidney stones:
• High frequency sound waves break up stones in the kidneys
• Ureteroscopy for kidney stones:
• A flexible fiberoptic tube is inserted into the bladder, advanced through the ureter, and then to the kidney
• The stone is removed with the endoscope