Kidney Stones
A more precise approach to stone pain, recurrent episodes, and prevention — with thoughtful evaluation, clear treatment planning, and long-term strategies designed to reduce future stone risk.
Acute relief matters. Prevention matters just as much.
Kidney stones can be intensely painful, but the best visit is about more than treating the moment. It is about understanding whether the stone is likely to pass, whether intervention may be necessary, and what can be done to reduce the chances of another episode later.
Some patients need acute symptom management and imaging review. Others need a more complete prevention plan that looks at hydration, diet, urine chemistry, stone history, and the type of stone most likely involved.
Stone pain is often unmistakable
Sudden flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine are common warning signs, especially when a stone is moving through the urinary tract.
Not every stone is managed the same way
Stone size and location help determine whether watchful passage, medication support, or a procedural treatment is more appropriate.
Stone formers often need prevention too
Patients with recurrent stones may benefit from metabolic evaluation, stone analysis, and a more personalized prevention strategy.
Hydration is only one piece
Prevention can also involve dietary adjustment, targeted urine testing, and medical therapy in selected patients with repeat stone formation.
Better care starts with clarity.
The goal is not just to get through one episode — it is to understand the pattern, reduce recurrence risk, and build a more thoughtful prevention strategy.
Focused, calm, and built around both treatment and prevention.
Strong kidney stone care should clarify what is urgent, what is likely to pass, and what needs closer follow-up. That may include reviewing symptoms, imaging, obstruction risk, infection signs, and the need for medical expulsive therapy or stone intervention when appropriate.
For recurrent stone formers, the conversation should also move upstream: what type of stone is most likely, what habits may be contributing, and what prevention steps can actually reduce recurrence over time.
Short-term relief and long-term prevention
- Symptom review and pain pattern assessment
- Imaging review and stone location discussion
- Urinalysis and infection screening when indicated
- Assessment of obstruction risk and passage likelihood
- History of prior stones and recurrence pattern
- Stone type, diet, hydration, and metabolic risk review
- Observation and passage support for selected stones
- Pain control and symptom-guided acute management
- Urgent care escalation when infection or obstruction is suspected
- Discussion of stone procedures when indicated
- Metabolic workup for recurrent stones
- Hydration, diet, and recurrence-prevention planning
Frequently asked questions
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when substances in the urine become concentrated and crystallize inside the kidneys or urinary tract.
No. Some smaller stones may pass on their own, while others may require treatment based on size, location, pain level, infection risk, or obstruction.
Yes. Many patients who form one stone are at risk of forming another, which is why prevention planning is an important part of long-term care.
Prevention may involve better hydration, stone-type-specific dietary changes, urine testing, and selected medications depending on the recurrence pattern and the type of stone involved.
Severe uncontrolled pain, fever, chills, vomiting, or signs of urinary blockage should be evaluated urgently, especially if infection is a concern.
Ready for a more complete stone evaluation?
If you are dealing with kidney stone symptoms or recurrent stone episodes in Los Angeles, request a consultation with Joshua R. Gonzalez, MD.