HealthTip: Passing a Kidney Stone

(HealthDay News) -- A kidney stone is a hard mass created by crystals that have separated from the urine.

Most kidney stones will pass on their own, and surgery usually isn't necessary.

The U.S. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse offers these suggestions if you have a kidney stone:

• Drink plenty of water to help flush the kidney stone from the body. Two to three quarts per day is recommended.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication.
• Call your doctor if you see blood in your urine, have extreme back or side pain that does not subside, or have a fever or chills.
• Once the stone has passed, try to save it to give to your doctor for testing.

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