There are a number of reasons why someone might seek the care of a medical professional, and one of the most common is a kidney stone. A kidney stone is a small stone, usually made of calcium and phosphate, that can get stuck in the ureters. This can block the flow of urine from the kidneys into the bladder. You might be wondering when to seek the care of an ER doctor. Take a look at a few key points below.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Kidney Stone?
If you have developed a kidney stone, there are a few signs and symptoms you might notice. They include:
- Abdominal Pain: You will probably develop abdominal pain in either your right or left flank. This pain could get worse when you change positions.
- Blood in the Urine: A kidney stone could also cause you to develop blood in your urine.
- Pain on Urination: You might also experience pain while urinating. You might notice that your stream is interrupted, or you might feel like you cannot push down while urinating.
- Nausea and Vomiting: If the abdominal pain is bad enough, you might experience nausea and vomiting.
There are other symptoms that could develop depending on the size and position of the kidney stone, but these are a few of the most common symptoms you might develop.
Can You Treat a Kidney Stone at Home?
It is possible for you to treat a kidney stone at home. The goal of treating the kidney stone at home is to expand the ureters enough that the kidney stone is able to pass on its own. You should drink plenty of water to try to expand the ureters by putting extra fluid in them. You might also want to try placing heat packs on your flanks to get the ureters to relax and expand a bit more.
When Do You Need To Go To The Emergency Room?
There are some situations where this care at home might not be enough to get the kidney stone to pass. As a result, you might need to go to the ER. Some of the signs that you need medical care for your kidney stone:
- The abdominal pain is so excruciating that you cannot seem to control it at home.
- You have developed a fever, which could be a sign that you have an infection building in your bladder and kidneys called pyelonephritis.
- You have nausea and vomiting to the point where you have become dehydrated and are unable to keep up with the fluid loss.
If you experience these symptoms, you need to go to the ER for emergency medical care.
What Will an ER Doctor Do?
If you visit the ER, there are a few ways the doctor can help you. First, the ER doctor will give you medication to control your pain and vomiting. The ER doctor might also place an IV to make sure you are hydrated. The ER doctor can also use imaging scans to find the kidney stone and size it.
Then, the ER can reach out to a urologist or nephrologist who can help you get rid of your kidney stone. This could include ultrasound technology to break up the stone into smaller pieces, or this could include a procedure to remove the kidney stone from the ureter manually.
Rely on the Team from CapRock Health for Your Emergency Medical Needs
Ultimately, kidney stones come in all shapes and forms. Not everyone will need to go to the ER for a kidney stone, but there are some people who might require this type of care. At CapRock Health, we are proud to serve the College Station region, and we give you access to some of the best emergency medical doctors and facilities in the industry. If you have questions or concerns about any medical issues, reach out to us today. We are always available to assist you.