Diagnosis and Treatment of Kidney Stones At Memorial Hermann, we
treat a variety of kidney disorders and conditions, ranging from
simple infections that respond to medication to kidney stones
and malignancies. About 1 million Americans are treated for
kidney stones each year, according to the National Kidney
Foundation. Kidney stones are more common in men, who account
for four out of every five cases. What Causes Kidney Stones?
Stones form when substances in the urine that normally block
their formation are absent or not working effectively. Factors
that contribute to the development of kidney stones include too
little fluid intake, chronic urinary tract infections, misuse of
certain medications, limited activity for a period of several
weeks, urinary tract blockage and certain genetic and metabolic
diseases. Symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain in the
kidneys or lower abdomen lasting for minutes or hours, nausea
and vomiting, fever and chills, weakness, cloudy urine, blood in
the urine or blocked f