Urgent Care for Kidney Stones: What to Expect

If you have kidney stones San Leandro, CityHealth urgent care can help fast. Specifically, kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys. Also, they cause severe pain when they move through the urinary tract. Because this pain hits suddenly, many people need same-day care.

About 1 in 10 people will get a kidney stone in their life. So you are not alone. CityHealth San Leandro provides evaluation, pain management, and testing.

Kidney Stones San Leandro: Symptoms to Watch For

Kidney stones cause a type of pain called renal colic. Here are the main signs:

• Severe pain in the side, back, or lower belly that comes in waves
• Pain that spreads to the groin or inner thigh
• Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown)
• Painful urination or burning
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills which may mean infection

What Urgent Care Does for Kidney Stones

CityHealth San Leandro offers several treatments:

• Pain management with NSAIDs like ketorolac (Toradol)
• Anti-nausea medication for vomiting
• Urinalysis to check for blood, infection, and crystals
• On-site X-ray to detect calcium-based stones
• IV fluids for dehydration
• Alpha-blocker prescription like tamsulosin (Flomax)
• CT scan referral if needed

Also, visit our urgent care page for more about walk-in services.

Urgent Care vs Emergency Room for Kidney Stones

Visit urgent care if:

• You think you have a kidney stone and need pain relief
• This is not your first stone
• You have no fever or signs of infection

However, go to the ER if:

• You have a fever above 101 degrees with kidney pain
• You cannot urinate at all
• You cannot stop vomiting
• Your pain is so severe you cannot sit still
• You have only one kidney

How to Pass a Kidney Stone at Home

Stones smaller than 5mm usually pass on their own. This typically takes 1 to 3 weeks. Your provider may suggest:

• Drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily to flush the stone
• Take prescribed pain medicine as directed
• Use a strainer when urinating to catch the stone
• Take alpha-blockers to relax the ureter

Also, stones between 5 and 10mm may pass with medicine. However, stones over 10mm usually need a procedure.

Kidney Stone Diagnosis at CityHealth

CityHealth evaluates kidney stone symptoms with these tests:

• Urinalysis to check for blood, crystals, and infection
• Blood work including kidney function tests and CBC
• Imaging such as X-ray or referral for CT scan

If testing confirms a kidney stone with no infection, then treatment focuses on pain control, hydration, and home care. Larger stones or complicated cases go to urology.

Preventing Kidney Stones

Because kidney stones often come back, prevention matters. Here are steps you can take:

• Drink plenty of water. Aim for 2 to 3 liters per day.
• Cut back on sodium. Too much salt raises stone risk.
• Eat less animal protein. Red meat and shellfish raise uric acid.
• Get calcium from food. Dietary calcium actually helps prevent stones.
• Limit oxalate-rich foods like spinach, beets, and nuts.

Since kidney stones San Leandro patients often see recurrence, your CityHealth provider can help you build a prevention plan.

When Kidney Stones Become an Emergency

Go to the ER right away if you have:

• Fever above 101 degrees with kidney pain (possible infection)
• Only one working kidney with blockage
• Vomiting that will not stop
• Severe pain that does not respond to medicine

Types of Kidney Stones

There are four main types of kidney stones. Because each type forms differently, knowing your type helps with prevention.

• Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type. They form when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. Therefore, cutting back on high-oxalate foods like spinach and nuts can help.
• Uric acid stones form when urine is too acidic. Since animal protein raises uric acid, eating less red meat helps prevent these stones.
• Struvite stones result from urinary tract infections. Because they grow fast, they often need medical treatment.
• Cystine stones are rare. They run in families. So if a family member has had them, tell your provider.

Kidney Stones San Leandro: What to Expect at Your Visit

When you walk into CityHealth for kidney stones San Leandro care, here is what happens. First, a staff member checks you in. Then a provider examines you and asks about your symptoms. Because kidney stone pain can be severe, pain relief is the first priority.

Next, your provider orders a urinalysis and may do an X-ray. If needed, they start an IV for fluids and pain medicine. Overall, most visits take 30 to 60 minutes. After that, you go home with a treatment plan, pain medicine, and instructions for passing the stone.

In addition, your provider will tell you when to follow up. They will also explain warning signs that mean you should go to the ER.

Kidney Stone Risk Factors

Some people are more likely to get kidney stones. Specifically, these factors raise your risk:

• Dehydration is the number one risk factor. Because concentrated urine lets minerals clump together, drinking water is key.
• Family history matters. If a parent or sibling had stones, you are more likely to get them too.
• High sodium diet increases calcium in urine. So cutting back on salt helps.
• Obesity changes the acid levels in urine. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight reduces risk.
• Certain medications like calcium-based antacids can contribute to stone formation.

Since kidney stones affect about 1 in 10 people, knowing your risk factors helps you take action early. Also, if you have had one stone, your chance of getting another is about 50 percent within 10 years.

Why Choose CityHealth for Kidney Stones San Leandro

CityHealth makes getting care simple. Here is why patients choose us for kidney stone treatment:

• Open 7 days a week with walk-in availability
• On-site X-ray and lab testing for same-day results
• IV fluids and pain management available during your visit
• Short wait times compared to the emergency room
• Most insurance accepted including Medi-Cal and Medicare

Because kidney stone pain can be unbearable, you should not wait for a scheduled appointment. Instead, walk into CityHealth and get relief today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can urgent care diagnose kidney stones?
Yes. CityHealth checks your urine for blood and infection. We also do X-rays. Some stones need a CT scan, which your provider can arrange.

How long does it take to pass a kidney stone?
Small stones under 5mm usually pass in 1 to 3 weeks. Larger stones may need a procedure. Drinking fluids and taking medicine can speed the process.

Does CityHealth have X-ray for kidney stones?
Yes. CityHealth San Leandro has on-site digital X-ray. It is available 7 days a week with same-day results.

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