Online Scheduling | Careers Home/About Us/Newsroom/Kidney Stones Can Put Kidney Function at Risk Refine Results Careers Community Benefits Contact Us Newsroom E-Newsletter Sign Up Medical Minute 2020 News Releases 2019 News Releases 2018 News Releases 2017 News Releases 2016 News Releases 2015 News Releases 2014 News Releases Quality & Safety Volunteer Opportunities Directions Find Our Location Online Scheduling Free, convenient online check-in services. Learn More Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well. Learn More Patient Portal Access your medical information on demand. Learn More Kidney Stones Can Put Kidney Function at Risk 10/20/2021 KNOXVILLE, TN (October 20, 2021) – If you feel a sharp pain in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin, or have blood in your urine, you may have a kidney stone – a condition that is common and on the rise. Left untreated, kidney stones can cause serious complications in addition to severe pain. Dr. Adam Shrewsberry, a Urologist with Tennova Urology, is making sure patients know timely treatment can prevent permanent damage. Kidney stones are hard, pebble-like pieces of material that form in one or both of your kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are in your urine. Kidney stones vary in size and shape – as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pea and rarely, as big as golf balls. A small kidney stone may pass through your urinary tract on its own, causing little or no pain or other symptoms. A larger kidney stone may get stuck along the way and block the flow of urine. If kidney stones are not treated, they can cause blood in the urine; severe pain; urinary tract infections (UTIs), including kidney infections; and loss of kidney function. “Kidney stones can be extremely painful and may require a surgical procedure for removal,” said Adam Shrewsberry, M.D. “If you are experiencing any pain in your back, side, or have blood in your urine, don’t delay your care. This could be serious and we can help.” The National Kidney Foundation reports that over half a million people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems every year. And it is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives. If you have a family history of kidney stones, you are more likely to develop them. You are also more likely to develop kidney stones again if you’ve had them once, have high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity or if you don’t drink enough liquids. “Kidney stones can be prevented by following a few easy dietary and exercise tips, such as drinking plenty of fluids and eating fruits and vegetables,” explains Dr. Shrewsberry. “Following these tips along with annual checkups can ensure your kidney health is maintained.” Four dietary tips from the National Kidney Foundation can help you prevent painful kidney stones. Drink plenty of fluids when exercising and sweating. Sweat water loss leads to less urine production, allowing stone-causing minerals to settle and bond in the kidneys and urinary tract. Eat and drink calcium and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal to make it more likely they will bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before the kidneys begin processing. High levels of oxalate are found in peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, chocolate and sweet potatoes. Maintain your calcium intake but cut back on sodium. A diet low in calcium increases your risk of developing kidney stones. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less animal-based protein to help decrease urine acidity which can reduce the chance for stone formation. Dr. Shrewsberry sees patients at Tennova Urology – East Towne and Tennova Urology – Sweetwater. If you suspect you may have a kidney stone, call (865) 647-1876 or visit tennovamedicalgroup.com. Sources National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: [1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Chapter 9: Urinary tract stones. In: Litwin MS, Saigal CS, eds. Urologic diseases in America. www.niddk.nih.gov (PDF, 0.39 MB) . Published 2012. Accessed September 26, 2016. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones National Kidney Foundation: [2] https://www.kidney.org/atoz/kidneystones Back Turkey Creek Medical Center 10820 Parkside Dr Knoxville, TN 37934 (865) 218-7011 Connect with us on Facebook ADA Accessibility Policy Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Patient Rights & Responsibilities © Copyright 2021 . All rights reserved. Notice of Nondiscrimination English, አማርኛ, العربية, বাংলা, ျမန္မာဘာသာ, tsalagi gawonihisdi, 繁體中文, Chahta, Oroomiffa, Nederlands, Français, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Deutsch, ગુજરાતી, हिंदी, Hmoob, Igbo asusu, Ilokano, Italiano, 日本語, 한국어, Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀, ພາສາລາວ, Kajin Ṃajōḷ, ខ្មែរ, Diné Bizaad, नेपाली, Deitsch, فارسی, Polski, Português, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ, Română, Русский, Gagana fa'a Sāmoa, Srpsko‑hrvatski, Español, ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂, Tagalog, ภาษาไทย, Türkçe, Українська, اُردُو, Tiếng Việt, èdè Yorùbá