Kidney Stones - When to Go to the ER

Statistics shows that over half a million people each year are rushed to the emergency rooms because of kidney stone problems. Men have been seen to have a higher prevalence for developing kidney stones, but it is the women who have been seen to be more affected by it. This is likely due to the fact that it is easier for women to acquire urinary tract infection.

There are factors that put one at higher risk for developing kidney stones. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Kidney stones typically form because of an imbalance in water, salt, and mineral levels in one’s urine. Usually, this happens when one doesn’t drink enough water. When one’s water intake is less than what the body requires, these salt, minerals and other substances stick together, thus forming a stone.

It’s important to remember that dealing with kidney stones needs a wait-and-see kind of approach. There are some people who develop kidney stones, but get by without seeing a medical professional. This means that it is possible for you to get better on your own, especially when your doctor clears you, and tells you that you can pass or discharge the stones without medical intervention.

Usually, this happens when the medications are able to keep your pain under control, you do not have any sign of infection (which comes in the form of high fever and chills), and your nausea and vomiting are not very severe.

However, should you ever experience the following signs and symptoms, be sure to seek emergency care and immediate medical attention:

1. Severe pain on abdomen, groin, or genitals, or side
2. Blood in urine
3. Fever and chills
4. Severe nausea or vomiting

When in the ER because of these symptoms, you will be asked to do a CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis, in order to confirm if you do have kidney stones. A CT scan is the best diagnostic procedure to detect the presence of stones in your kidney.

Should the presence of kidney stones be confirmed, you will be prescribed certain medications. These medications will help with the pain and the management of your other symptoms.

In certain cases, especially if the kidney stones are too large, you may need surgery or a non-invasive procedure such as a shockwave treatment, which will target to remove your kidney stones.

If you are looking for an emergency facility that can help you with your kidney stone problems, consider Physicians Premier, your South Padre Island Emergency Room.

Physicians Premier is a freestanding emergency room that is able to provide complete and high-quality care for minor emergencies like kidney stone problems.

Our Locations:

• Saratoga Emergency Room
• Staples Corpus Christi Emergency Room
• Ennis Joslin South Padre Island Emergency Room
• Portland Texas Emergency Room
• Calallen Texas Emergency Room
• Cibolo Texas Emergency Room
• Bryan Texas Emergency Room

Ennis Joslin South Padre Island Emergency Room location:

Staples Corpus Christi Emergency Room Location:

Portland Texas Emergency Room Location:

Calallen Texas Emergency Room Location:

Saratoga Emergency Room Location:

Bryan Texas Emergency Room Location: