Kidney Stones: Avoiding the Pain the Second Time Around
Prevention plays a leading role in management of kidney stones
Each year, almost a million Americans are treated for kidney stones. For many of these unlucky people, this is not their first experience with passing a stone. The problem comes when crystallized chemicals from the urine form a mass in the kidney, then try to follow the path of urine through the system.
The experience is painful—excruciatingly painful—to the point that most people want to do all that is necessary to avoid repeat stones. Lisa Rodriquez knows first hand. "I've passed four stones in seven years, including one while I was pregnant," she said.
A kidney stone can be as tiny as a grain of salt or as big as a golf ball.
Pain is usually the first symptom, although diagnosis usually involves urine and blood tests, X-rays and sound waves. Once the stones are found, the majority of them will pass naturally within three to six weeks. Some stones, however, require surgery or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Both treatments work to break up the stone or to facilitate passage. Medical follow-up is important to prevent reoccurence.
According to Dr. Glenn D. Preminger, professor of urologic surgery at the Duke University Medical Center and director of the Duke Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center in Durham, NC, a large stone can block the flow of urine, causing pressure to build throughout the system, including in the kidneys. "Increased pressure results in stretching and irritation, which causes the pain," he said.
Beyond the acute pain in the abdomen that often shifts to the groin, other symptoms can include blood in the urine, fever, weakness, nausea and vominting. Although kidney stones do not usually cause permanent damage, a blockage could lead to infection.
Patients frequently suffer multiple stone episodes that could be prevented with combination therapy.
Diet is part of the treatment. Not enough fluids and too much protein, salt and oxalate (found in spinach, nuts, and strawberries) can lead to the formation of additional stones. Despite changing their diets, many people who pass stones still form new ones.
"To prevent recurrence, studies have found that a potassium citrate treatment, such as Urocit-K, administered following a kidney stone experience is highly effective," said Dr. Preminger. "Potassium citrate picks up where shock wave therapy leaves off, by restoring the natural chemicals that block the formation of stones. It reduces the tendency of uric acid to form stones and minimizes the chance of recurrence by more than 85 percent."
Lisa Rodriguez wishes she was treated for recurrence. "I'm still paying for the shock wave therapy I had years ago," she said, "but I'm still suffering from this condition, despite changing my diet."
Dr. Preminger suggests patients like Lisa ask their doctor for more information about diagnostic tests and treatments to prevent the pain from returning.
"Once you've lived through it, you don't want to live through it again," Lisa said.
«News
Prescription iron therapies are not interchangeable! Ferralet 90 contains carbonyl iron and a unique, gentle formulation that transforms a patient's experience on iron therapy.
Think twice about your choices for treating bacterial vaginosis.
