Kidney Stones
Why do kidney stones hurt so bad?
Here’s the answer
When a stone blocks the ureter, urine backs up and stretches the kidney.
That stretch, plus the ureter squeezing against the stone, causes waves of sharp pain.
Booking your visit
From McDonough to Stockbridge and Locust Grove, Henry County families visit us at our Conyers Clinic (1366 Wellbrook Circle Suite B, Conyers, GA 30012), and procedures take place at our Snellville Clinic & Surgery Center (1557 Janmar Rd, Snellville, GA 30078). Our team will be glad to help you book.
Our urologists’ approach
Stone pain can be fierce, and our urologists treat both the pain and the stone. We look at the stone’s size and position on imaging and check for infection. Then we decide whether it’s likely to pass with fluids and medicine or needs a procedure such as ureteroscopy or shock wave lithotripsy. After the stone is handled, we help you learn why you formed it.
Coming in to see us
Bring any CT report or images from an urgent care or ER visit. We’ll ask about the pain, nausea and fever, and about your past stones. A urine test is standard. If you catch a stone, bring it so we can have it analyzed.
What to bring
Bring ER or urgent care papers and any stone you’ve caught. Note when the pain started and where it moves.
When a phone call helps
Call us if pain medicine isn’t controlling the pain or the stone hasn’t passed in a few weeks. With fever, vomiting or pain you can’t control, go to the ER.
Questions from Henry County
Why does the pain come in waves?
The ureter squeezes against the stone while urine backs up and stretches the kidney, so the pain rises and falls.
Should I go to the ER?
With fever, vomiting or pain you can’t control, yes. Go now.
Short video
Dr. Marc Greenstein, who sees patients in Conyers, talks about kidney stones in this video.
Learn more
Meant for learning, not for diagnosing yourself. See all Henry articles