KIDNEY STONES: Kidney stones form in the center of the kidney and are composed of crystallized calcium, uric acid, and other substances. The pain of passing a large stone can be excruciating and has been compared to childbirth. Stones too large to pass through the bladder may become stuck in the kidney, where they can wreak havoc; but most stones pass normally, and may be helped to pass by drinking large amounts of water.
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT: The usual conventional treatment is analgesics to suppress the pain and sometimes diuretics to forestall recurrences. A newer option called extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) breaks up the stones, but the stone fragments still need to be passed and there may still be discomfort. Patients say that passing the gravel can be as painful as passing the whole stone.
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