| If you are diagnosed with Kidney Stones for the first time you are most likely a male between the ages of 20 and 40. You will probably also want to know what your options are now that you have been diagnosed and how to prevent the problem in the future. Fortunately, today, there are many treatments that are done on an outpatient basis.
WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS DO I HAVE?
First off, “going under the knife” occurs rarely in treatment for kidney stones. In the past major surgery was the only option if the stone did not pass through the urinary
system.
The first option (and most preferable) is still to allow the stone to pass through t he urinary system. To help encourage this you will be instructed to drink 2 to 3 quarts of water a day. You will likely be given pain medications for discomfort you may feel during this process. Your doctor may also request for you to save the passed stone for testing.
If the stone is too large to pass on its own, blocks urine flow, or causes constant bleeding, other options are pursued. ESWL (Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) is the most frequently used. Shock waves created outside of the body travel through the body tissues until they hit the more dense stone. The stone shatters into smaller particles and is then able to pass through the urinary system. Anesthesia may be used. This may be done on an outpatient
basis with the patient
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able to resume normal activities within a few days. Most patients will have blood in the urine for several days following treatment. It is also common to have some discomfort in the back and bruising from the shock waves.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is used when a stone is very large or in a location that does not allow ESWL to be used effectively. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the back directly into the kidney. Using a nephroscope the surgeon locates the stone and removes it. A Patient will stay in the hospital for several days and may have a small tube left in the kidney for drainage.
Uteroscopic Stone Removal is sometimes used for mid and lower –ureter stones. A uteroscope is passed through the urethra and the bladder into the ureter in order to remove the stone or shatter it with an instrument that causes a shock wave. A small tube may be left in for a few days to help the ureter lining heal.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING RECOVERY
Whichever method is used on your kidney stone, you are likely to have a small amount of blood in the urine for several days following removal of the stone. Report this bleeding immediately, if you see clots or the bleeding increases.
You may also experience some discomfort and pain for which analgesics may be prescribed to you by your
doctor.
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FUTURE PREVENTION
Once you have had one kidney stone you are more likely to form another. You most likely do not wish to repeat the experience and may wish to follow some simple
prevention guidelines.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Most important is to increase your fluid intake. You should try to drink enough fluid each day to produce two quarts of urine daily.
Depending on the composition of your kidney stones, your doctor may suggest that you lower intake on some foods that may promote stones in susceptible
people.
MEDICATIONS
If you have calcium or uric acid stones, your physician may prescribe certain medications to prevent these. These medications will help control alkali and acid in your urine.
RESOURCES ON THE WEB
American Foundation for Urologic Disease: www.afud.org
Picture of Lithotripsy-Machine:
www.mwstone.com/equipm1.gif
Digital Urology Journal
www.duj.com/kidneystones.html
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