Why Southerners Have a Higher Risk of Kidney Stone

I am Ketan Kapadia. I’m with Advanced Urology Institute and a board certified urologist.

Dr. Ketan Kapadia of St Petersburg, FLObviously the heat is going to play a major role, a lot of it has to do with our diet unfortunately as well. [As with] an American diet, we just don’t eat very well, we’re all a little heavier and that also increases the risk of kidney stones as well.

The interesting thing here in Florida, which isn’t talked about very much and this is sort of the holistic treatment of the patient in urology, which is we get a lot of men who have prostate problems who start cutting back on their fluids because they don’t want to get up at night; And when you start cutting back on fluids and not getting up at night, now you’re at more risk of [getting] stones. We see a lot of older guys who come in with kidney stones for the very first time because they got a prostate problem as well and that hasn’t really been addressed.

Same with women who have overactive bladder. First thing most people do is they start cutting back their fluid so they’re not having to run to the bathroom all the time. Again, you cut back your fluid and now you’re living in Florida in the heat, you’re going to get kidney stones. So a lot of doctors will be more than happy to just get rid of your stone and have the surgery [but] I’m also interested in preventing that next stone. Part of that is getting twenty-four (24) hour urines, seeing why you’re making stones, addressing all the overactive bladder problems and prostate problems because I don’t want you to end up having more stones. I’m happy to operate and take out stones, that’s fun, but it’s my obligation to help prevent [it from happening agan].

Kidney Stone Surgery and Removal Procedures

Kidney stones can be stubborn and painful. In many cases, patients rely on a urologist for help removing these painful obstructions. Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals that form in the body and can cause blockage in the urinary tract. Urologists will decide how to treat the stone based on factors like its size, the patient’s health and the amount of pain it’s causing.

Dr. Brian Hale of Palm Harbor, FLOne cutting-edge and noninvasive method for treating kidney stones is called shock wave lithotripsy. Board-certified urologist Dr. Brian D. Hale describes it as using water waves to break up the stone. A machine is put against the patient’s body and creates small explosions. The water waves from the explosions target the stone. As many as 2,500 water waves are directed at the stone during a single treatment.

These waves break the stone into small pieces similar to sand. The patient will be able to pass these much smaller pieces with greater ease. The whole treatment takes about 25 minutes. The procedure is mostly pain free but does require the patient to go under general anesthesia. In the early 2000s, patients were not required to go under anesthesia for this procedure. However, it was found that natural movements from the patient made it difficult to concentrate the water waves on the stone, so putting patients under anesthesia is now the general practice.

Each case of kidney stones is different, and noninvasive measures are not always an option. An alternative procedure for stone removal is to use a scope to go up the patient’s penis through the urethra to the kidney and then use a medical laser to break up the stone and pull out the fragments. This is the preferred method for some of the smaller stones that cannot be broken up with shock wave lithotripsy.

For larger stones in the kidney, urologists may recommend a more invasive form of surgery called percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In these cases, the urologist will make a small incision in the patient’s back to reach the kidney directly. The urologist then will use a scope and either a laser or ultrasound energy to break up the stone. This procedure also requires general anesthesia and the patient may need to stay in the hospital for one to two days to recover.

There are many options for patients suffering from painful kidney stones. The many urologists of the Advanced Urology Institute have committed to finding the best options to relieve the pain of kidney stones. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Symptoms & Treatment of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a serious and painful medical issue. They cause a wide range of symptoms and can be treated in different ways depending on their size and the patient. Understanding the symptoms of kidney stones and the treatment options available are essential to passing them.

No two people are the same and the symptoms of kidney stones can vary from patient to patient. Some of the most common symptoms are pain in the back or belly, pain or burning during urination, a frequent and urgent need to urinate, urinating in small amounts, and cloudy or bloody urine. Someone experiencing these symptoms most likely has kidney stones and may need to consult a urologist for help.

One of the most troubling symptoms is the pain caused by kidney stones. Some female patients say the pain caused by the stones is worse than being in labor. In many cases, the person with kidney stones may suffer from nausea and vomiting. Although stones can often be passed by the patient on their own, in some cases medical assistance is required.

Treatment for kidney stones is done on a case-by-case basis, with the doctor examining the patient to determine the best treatment method for the individual. For patients experiencing pain, but who may be able to pass the kidney stone, the doctor may prescribe medication to ease the pain and make them comfortable as they wait for the stone to pass. In more serious cases, the doctor may need to surgically remove the stones or bypass them to drain urine and relieve pain.

A new way to remove large painful stones without surgery is Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL). With this non-invasive method the stones are broken up by a shock wave of energy focused on the point where the kidney stone is located. This shock wave breaks the kidney stone into a fine powder that is easier for the patient to pass. In severe cases, the doctor will enter with a scope through the urinary tract or kidney and destroy the stones with a laser.

Relief from the pain of kidney stones can be found at the Advanced Urology Institute, where experienced physicians determine the best treatment method available for each patient. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

How Do I Know If I Have a Kidney Stone

Kidney stones is the common term for the medical condition of renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis. The stones are made up of salts and minerals that form into hard deposits inside your kidneys.

Kidney stones can be caused by many different factors and can show up in different sections of your urinary tract. They may travel from the kidneys to your bladder, and from the bladder to the ureter. Sometimes kidney stones occur when the urine is too concentrated, which allows minerals to coalesce and crystallize. Heeding early signs like painful urination and an irregular urge to pee can help you seek medical help earlier and get treatment.

Pain from Kidney Stones

How can you be sure that kidney stones are causing your pain?
Because there are other maladies that have similar symptoms to kidney stones, a visit to your urologist may save you from uneccesary grief. Some symptoms of kidney stones include:

  • Acute pain below the ribs on the side of your body or in your back. The pain may intensify or shift to various locations as the stones travel along the urinary tract.
  • Pain located in the lower abdomen or groin
  • Pain that fluctuates in severity
  • Painful urination
  • Cloudy or discolored urine (pink, red or brown)
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Persistent need to urinate or urinating more than usual
  • Urinating in small amounts
  • Nausea and consequent vomiting
  • Chills and fever due to associated infection

You could have just one of these symptoms or several. If you are experiencing severe discomfort along with nausea or blood in your urine, you should seek medical help.

Kidney stones do not usually cause any permanent damage if treated early and correctly. You may be able to drink plentiful amounts of water, take a pain medication, and be able to pass the stone on your own. However, if the stones get lodged in the urinary tract or cause a urinary infection, more aggressive treatment may be in order.

Tests for Kidney Stones

There are several ways your doctor can test for kidney stones that will also reveal their size and precise location. These tests include:

  • Imaging tests: The imaging technology to determine if you have kidney stones includes X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds.
    CT scans are more thorough than X-rays and result in lucid composite images of kidney stones. Ultrasound is also used to create images of the affected area.
  • Blood tests: Your doctor can determine if your have too much uric acid or calcium in the blood, which can cause kidney stones to form.
  • Urine tests: These lab tests can detect minerals that cause kidney stones in your urine. They can also reveal if you lack elements that prevent stones from forming.

Treatment for Kidney Stones

Your doctor can determine if sound-wave therapy can resolve the problem or if surgery is indicated due to stones being too large to pass, causing infection or other damage. If you are able to pass the stone on your own, saving it for your urologist to examine can help your doctor determine what causes your stones and what can be done to prevent additional ones from forming.

If you would like more information about kidney stones and their treatment, schedule a consultation at the Advanced Urology Institute location nearest you or visit the website.

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A kidney stone is a mass of chemical crystals that forms in the kidney, ureter or bladder of an individual. Such stones may develop to different sizes and in different shapes, from tiny microscopic crystals to quite large stones. Kidney stones can occur at any age but are far more prevalent between the ages of 20 to 40. Contact a urologist now and get treatment for this condition as soon as possible. [Read Full Article…]