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KIDNEY STONES
Kidney Stones Q & A
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are firm deposits of salt and concentrated minerals that develop in your kidneys before being discovered in your urinary tract. Kidney stones can vary in size, and you may have one at a time or several at once. Smaller stones may only require some pain medication and drinking plenty of water. But because kidney stones can be larger than the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney down to the bladder), passing them naturally can sometimes become quite painful and lead to further urinary tract infections and other complications.
There are several kinds of kidney stones, each caused by different things. Calcium stones, the most common type, can be a result of certain dietary imbalances. Kidney problems, taking high doses of vitamin D, and your past surgical history can also contribute to the formation of these stones. Uric acid stones can be caused by gout, not drinking enough fluids, and eating too much protein. Other types of stones, like struvite or cystine stones, can be caused by kidney infections and other disorders.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
When a kidney stone forms in your kidneys, you will not experience any symptoms. It’s only once the stone or stones begin to shift inside your kidneys or begin to progress through the ureter, a tube that connects your kidneys to your bladder, that you’ll begin to experience symptoms, such as:
Severe, radiating pain in your kidneys
Painful or frequent urination
Pink, red, or brown urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Nausea and vomiting
Persistent urge to urinate
If the kidney stones have led to an infection, you may experience further symptoms, including a fever and chills.
How are kidney stones treated?
If only a small kidney stone is present, Dr. Seskin will likely prescribe drinking plenty of water, taking some mild pain relievers, and possibly taking a medication to help relax the ureter to allow the stone to pass with minimal symptoms.
When dealing with larger stones, however, there are a few ways Dr. Seskin may proceed. The first step is often to use sound waves to break up the kidney stone into smaller pieces that will pass easier. This is the state-of-the-art treatment available, and it can help break down kidney stones in as little as 20 minutes. Once the stones have been pulverized, they can easily pass.
If soundwave therapy isn’t effective, Dr. Seskin may recommend surgery to remove large kidney stones. Furthermore, if he finds that an overactive parathyroid gland may be responsible for creating them, he may recommend surgery to correct the problem.
If kidney stones are making you miserable, book an appointment over the phone with Seskin Urology today.
Call and schedule a visit
305.792.6905