Preventing Kidney Stones

Whilst it is very important to get regular exercise and stick to a healthier diet, kidney stones treatment may sometimes require further attention depending on the type of stone and it’s size or position.

The most common types of kidney stones to affect sufferers are ulric acid stones and calcium oxalate stones.  Both these types of stones are relatively harmless, unless they grow in size to the point that they cause an obstruction in the ureter.  A blockage in this tube can make it very difficult to pass urine and needs to be treated as soon as possible.  Another reason to seek prompt kidney stone treatment is that a stone that is big enough to cause an obstruction is also large enough to cause damage internally.

Kidney stone treatment options

 There are a variety of effective treatments and medications designed to deal with kidney stones that have reached this stage.

 Medication is normally the first line of treatment for those experiencing the unpleasant symptoms  brought on by the early stages of this condition.  These medications typically include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen, and have been shown to very effective in reducing the pain.

 If the pain persists and the stone cannot come out naturally, hospital treatment may be required.  Having an x-ray or ultrasound scan taken can reveal the size of the stone and its position. This will help the doctor decide how and when the stone should be removed.

 If it is felt that surgical intervention is needed, there are a few effective options.

 A common option is Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL), which entails zapping the stone with a high-energy shock wave in an attempt to break it up in to smaller pieces. This method works well on stones that are not too large and hard.

 Larger, more problematic kidney stones may require a surgical procedure called Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL).  A small surgical incision is made in the patients back allowing a telescope to reach the kidney, whereby a specialized tool is used to break up the stone and remove the pieces.

 Kidney stones located in the lower and middle section of the ureter are removed by undergoing an Ureteroscopy.   A small fibre optic instrument called an ureteroscope is passed through the urethra and bladder and into the ureter, locating the stone ready to be removed.