Treatments for Kidney Stones


Tiny or large - they must be treated

no stone left behind...

It is vital that a kidney stone leave your body.  If you have a stone that will not pass on its own than your doctor will take the necessary steps to get rid of it. With the advancement in treatment options surgery is almost the thing in the past.  

Most common treatment options

Shock Waves

Your doctor can use a machine to send shock waves directly to the kidney stone. The shock waves break a large stone into small stones that will pass through your urinary system with your urine.

shock treatment water tank

Two types of shock wave machines exist. With one machine you sit in a tub of water.  With the other type of machine you lie on a table.

If you've had more than one kidney stone in your life, unfortunately, it is likely you will form another.


There are medications that help prevent certain types of kidney stones that may be suitable for your health condition. 

Tunnel Surgery

In this method the doctor makes a small cut into the patient's back and makes a narrow tunnel through the skin to the stone inside the kidney.

With a special instrument that goes through the tunnel the doctor can find the stone and remove it.

tunnel surgery

ureteroscope

The doctor inserts a long wire like device that is equipped with a camera.  It is inserted into the patient's urethra passing it up through the bladder and into the ureter where the stone is located.


The doctor can retrieve the stone using a cage to catch the stone or use a small device inserted through the ureteroscope to that can destroy the stone.

ureterscope

An ounce of Prevention...

There are medications that help prevent certain types of kidney stones that may be suitable for your health condition.

Drink a glass of water every hour during the day and whenever you get up at night and drink plenty of liquids after meals and exercise. 

If you have calcium oxalate stones avoid large amounts of dairy products or foods high in oxalate content (such as tea or chocolate).

Avoid large doses of Vitamin C (4 grams or more daily) and antacids.

If you have uric acid stones reduce the amount of red meat in your diet.

Increasing Fluids
Only your doctor should tell you to increase fluid consumption as this can be dangerous if you are not able to urinate.

Recommended Topics

Tests

The 5 Stages of KD

GFR results confirm stage of kidney disease and function.

Treatments

Treatment options

Hemodialysis  |  Peritoneal Dialysis  |  Transplant

Side Effects

Urinary Tract Infection

A UTI happens when bacteria get into the urinary system & multiply.

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