Since the earliest records of civilization, kidney stones have plagued
humans. Kidney stones were even found inside a 7000-year-old Egyptian
mummy. Today, kidney stones are still one of the most common problems
of the urinary tract. Kidney stones form inside of the kidney where they
may or may not cause pain. However, if the stone migrates outside the
kidney and down the ureter (the tube that connects the kidneys to the
bladder), this is when people begin experiencing the sudden, severe pain
associated with kidney stones.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are crystallized collections of salt and other minerals found
in the urine. These substances normally dissolve, but when the urine becomes
too saturated, stones can develop. The onset of kidney stone pain is both
sudden and severe as the stone becomes stuck on its way out. Most people
experience kidney stone pain in their lower abdominal region or the groin.
Urinary infrequency or a sense of bladder irritation may also be present.
Some people may even experience nausea, fever, or chills and should seek
prompt medical attention.
How are kidney stones treated?
Treatment for kidney stones will depend on the type of stone and how long
you’ve been experiencing symptoms. Ogden Clinic urologists are well-equipped
with several different methods for mitigating the pain associated with
kidney stones and assisting with a safe pass.
Passing a kidney stone without surgery
It’s possible to pass a stone on your own without the need for medication.
If the pain is bearable and there are no signs of infection, your Ogden
Clinic urologist may advise you to pass it on your own. Drinking plenty
of fluids and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can assist with a
safe pass.
Our urologists also prescribe medication to decrease pain and improve the
chance of the stone passing. Tamsulosin (or Flomax®) is the most common
medication used for kidney stones; it relaxes the ureter and eases the
pain of passing a stone.
Surgical intervention for kidney stones
You and your Ogden Clinic urologist may consider surgery to remove a kidney
stone if the stone fails to pass or if the pain of passing is too great.
In some cases, the stone may also affect kidney function or cause repeated
infections by blocking the flow of urine from the kidney.
Fortunately, surgery is more convenient than ever before; there are no
incisions and much less discomfort than in the past. Surgeries to remove
kidney stones from the ureter or kidney include:
Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) : Your Ogden Clinic urologist will use ultrasound shock waves on the kidney
stone to break it into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces will pass in
the urine over a few weeks with little or no discomfort.
Ureteroscopy: A flexible telescope called a ureteroscope is inserted into the bladder,
up the ureter, and into the kidney. When your Ogden Clinic urologist can
see the kidney stone through the ureteroscope, they use responsive tools
to remove the stone. If the kidney stone is too large, breaking it into
smaller pieces may be necessary before extraction.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) : PCNL is used for large stones in the kidney. Under general anesthesia,
an incision is made through the patient’s back to a narrow tunnel
that is created through the kidney to the stone. An Ogden Clinic urologist
will locate the kidney stone and remove it with a slender instrument inserted
through the tunnel.
Select providers are now using Telemedicine.
Visit
Telemedicine to see if your next visit can take place over video chat.
.jpg)
