Kidney Stones – An Overview
Of all the various aches and pains a human can experience, most who have experienced kidney stones will vote for their experience as the worst possible pain a human can endure. While there may be more painful experiences to have the misfortune to bear, the staff at Uromedix recommends doing whatever you can to avoid the misfortune of a kidney stone attack.
What Are Kidney Stones
When a solid piece of material forms in the kidney from a variety of matter in the urine, it is called a Kidney Stone. Kidney Stones can be tiny like grains of sand or can grow to be pearl sized. The vast majority of Kidney Stones will just pass from the body without any assistance from a physician or other medical professional. Unfortunately for some, the stone may become trapped in the urinary tract. This can lead to blockage of the urine flow and cause the poor person immense pain.
What Can You Do To Minimize a Kidney Stone Attack?
When someone experiences the following signs of kidney stones they should seek a physician’s assistance. The urologists at Uromedix are here to assist you. These symptoms include extreme back or side pain that persists, blood in the urine, fever and chill, a burning feeling when urinating or urine that is cloudy looking or smells bad.
We use the latest diagnostic tools to evaluate whether you have a stone or not. If you have had a number of stones or are younger than age 30, we may use metabolic evaluation to find out more about why you are developing them.
How to Treat Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney from substances in the urine. It may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not go away. It may get stuck in the urinary tract, block the flow of urine and cause great pain. There are urine, blood and even imaging tests to determine if there is a kidney stone that won’t pass and determine a course of treatment.
Treatments normally include passing high energy shock waves through the body to break up the stones called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or more commonly as ESWL or ‘stone blasting’. In addition, Ureterostomy may be required – which is the insertion of a scope through the urethra. For large stones (over 2 cm), irregular shaped stones or stones that can’t be broken up, there are other procedures involving small incisions in the back such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
How to Avoid Kidney Stones
The consensus of medical professionals is the best way to prevent the majority of kidney stones is by drinking enough fluids daily. That is eight to 12 cups of liquids every day. Other items to consider including in your prevention regimen are limiting the amount of sodium (salt) you add to your food and to minimize the amount of animal protein like eggs and meat you include in your diet. If kidney stones are present check with your doctor for dietary recommendations for your particular overall health condition. As always, before starting a specific protocol or diet, check with your doctor to ensure there will be a maximum of benefit with a minimum of harm.
Here at Uromedix we offer the latest diagnostic and treatment options for our patients in Aventura, Hialeah and Pembroke Pines. We utilize state-of-the-art technology combined with tried and true treatments, providing our patients solutions to kidney stone problems
From detection and diagnosis, to treatment and follow up, our goal is to have every patient live their healthiest and most enjoyable life. Contact us today to find out how the experience of our doctors and staff can be of assistance to you.
