When treating kidney stones, there are many home remedies and countless medical protocols to choose from. However, there is an easier way to combat this condition: Preventing it from happening in the first place. Saying it is a lot easier than actually doing it, right? Perhaps, but some steps you can take to help you prevent kidney stones are:

* Drink a gallon or more of water daily to flush out your system.
* Pay close attention to changes in your metabolism that may cause your body to produce too much calcium, salt or amino acids that can lead to kidney stones.

Although you can shrink your chances of getting kidney stones by drinking more water and choosing less calcium-rich, protein-rich foods, even the best diet cannot guarantee that painful kidney stones will not develop. That is why a medical approach is still necessary.

The most frequent method for treating kidney stones is to watch and wait. About 85% of the time, kidney stones will pass during urination. Painkilling medication will be prescribed by doctors, but they also promote staying active and drinking enough water.

If a fever breaks out, or if pain increases, the physician will move forward to surgery. The usual surgical procedures for treating kidney stones are:

* Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) - Shock waves break down the stone inside the kidney so that they are small enough to pass.
* Ureteroscopic stone removal - A small scope or laser is inserted into the urethra to break up the stone so it can be removed.
* Percutaneous nephrolithotomy - Surgery is done under general anesthesia and the surgeon makes a small incision on the back of the kidney and extracts the stone.

While doctors are left to choose the best treatment approach, patients agree on one thing; when treating kidney stones, painkillers are not a luxury. They are a godsend.