Key Takeaways:
- Kidney stones can cause pain that is worse than childbirth.
- There is a risk for silent obstruction which can lead to permanent damage if not addressed immediately.
- Seeking medical attention is essential for managing kidney stones.
Kidney stones, as many exclaim, are a nightmare that’s even worse than childbirth. This commonly heard comparison manifests the excruciating pain that kidney stones ignite. It is an agonizing journey that leads most people to seek immediate medical attention. And yes, you’re not a baby for seeking help.
Chelsie Ferrell, a physician assistant with the Advanced Urology Institute in Orange City, FL, sheds light on the excruciating pain and risks of kidney stones.
Bearing The Unbearable Pain
“My name is Chelsie Ferrell. I’m a physician assistant with Advanced Urology Institute. There’s a lot of patients we have who have had children and say kidney stones are worse than childbirth.”
This comparison offered by Ferrell highlights how extreme the pain can be. Childbirth is often regarded as the ultimate threshold of pain, but kidney stones seem to take the title in this context. This redefines the perspective that one might need to adopt when dealing with kidney stones.
Silent Obstruction: The Unknown Enemy
However, the journey doesn’t end at the pain. There’s a silent, less recognized enemy lurking in the shadows – silent obstruction.
“So I’m, you know, if you’re willing to call your wife in labor a baby, then, you know, that’s fine. But no, you’re not a baby. But, you know, some people, some people don’t complain of pain at all. There are some people who have what we call a silent obstruction, who maybe they have a backache in their kidney and they have a really large kidney stone and that’s causing a blockage.”
A silent obstruction refers to a situation where a patient doesn’t feel the intense pain, perhaps just a backache. They carry around a large kidney stone that’s causing a blockage, completely oblivious of the impending danger. This is a situation that is, most of the time, worse than patients experiencing severe pain because they remain unaware.
The Long-Term Damages
This unawareness can lead to long-term, even irreversible damage to one’s kidney. Silent obstruction isn’t simply about avoiding pain, it’s about the dangerous potential for lasting damage.
“And that sometimes, many times, often is worse than the patients who come in and have really severe pain because they don’t even know that they have a blockage, which in the long term can cause, you know, permanent damage to their kidney.”
It is essential to recognize the signs and take immediate action.
Conclusion: Seeking Immediate Help
The experience of kidney stones can be varied among individuals, ranging from excruciating pain to silent obstruction. However, the consequences can be severe and even permanent if not addressed in a timely fashion. So, whether you’re experiencing severe pain or just a nagging backache, it’s essential to take it seriously and seek medical attention.
We need to remember that we’re not babies for seeking help. As Chelsie Ferrell of Advanced Urology Institute puts it, “you’re not a baby.” The Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, has experts like Chelsie Ferrell, who can assist you in managing the pain and risks of kidney stones. Ensure you get the expert help you need before it’s too late.
References:
- Kidney Problems | Advanced Urology Institute. (2023, May 31). Advanced Urology Institute. https://www.advancedurologyinstitute.com/conditions-we-treat/kidney-problems/
- and, D. (2023, August 4). Kidney Stones – NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones
- Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) – Symptoms and Causes. (2019). Pennmedicine.org. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/kidney-stones#:~:text=The%20main%20symptom%20is%20severe,(vaginal%20pain)%20in%20women.
- Kidney Stones. (2021, December 13). National Kidney Foundation; https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones
Transcription:
My name is Chelsie Ferrell. I’m a physician assistant with Advanced Urology Institute. There’s a lot of patients we have who have had children and say kidney stones are worse than childbirth. So I’m, you know, if you’re willing to call your wife in labor a baby, then, you know, that’s fine. But no, you’re not a baby. But, you know, some people, some people don’t complain of pain at all. There are some people who have what we call a silent obstruction, who maybe they have a backache in their kidney and they have a really large kidney stone and that’s causing a blockage. And that sometimes, many times, often is worse than the patients who come in and have really severe pain because they don’t even know that they have a blockage, which in the long term can cause, you know, permanent damage to their kidney.
