Kidney stone apps

Kidney stones are hard crystals that develop from waste materials in your pee (urine). Though often small, they can cause intense pain, known as renal colic. In many cases, kidney stones pass naturally when you pee, but if a stone gets stuck, blocks urine flow, or leads to bleeding or infection, medical removal may be necessary. If you're at risk of developing kidney stones, you can lower your chances of getting stones by staying well-hydrated and making changes to your lifestyle such as reducing salt in your diet. Learn more about kidney stones.

There are a variety of apps to support you if you have kidney stones. Depending on their features, these apps can help you:

• learn about kidney stones
• keep track of lifestyle changes, such as hydration and salt intake
• keep track of your signs and symptoms and medicines.

Tips on how to use kidney stone apps safely

Do (✔)

• Use kidney stone apps under the supervision of your healthcare provider who can help you assess if the app is suitable for you.
• Use an app to keep track of your symptoms as part of your management plan.
• Use graphs and reporting for discussions with your healthcare provider.
• Be careful when reading information on discussion boards or group chat rooms. Some apps have interactive features where you can share your experiences. Be cautious, because in most cases these aren't monitored by a health professional so the advice or suggestions may not be safe or effective.
• Know when to seek help.

Don’t (✘)

• Don't rely on apps to make a diagnosis of your condition.
• Don't use treatments without first seeking medical and professional advice.
• Don't make changes to your medicines based on the recommendations from the app.