Kidney Stones

 

Kidney stones most often form when naturally occurring minerals and salts bind together faster than they can be washed away. It is estimated that one in five men will be diagnosed with a kidney stone by the age of 70.

Stone Prevention

While several therapeutic options exist to get rid of already formed stones, the best strategy is to prevent stone formation in the first place. Here are some recommendations that anyone can use to reduce stone formation regardless of what types of stones are formed or risk of formation:

  • Drink between 2-3 liters of fluids per day (with a goal of making at least 2 liters of urine per day) - water is best

  • Add fresh squeezed lemon juice to your water; citrate in lemon juice can help prevent stones

  • Limit salt intake (ideally less than 2300mg per day)

  • Increase fruit and vegetable intake

  • Limit animal protein - no more than a total of a fist size portion of red meat, chicken, eggs and seafood per day

Stone Management

Many stones will pass on their own without intervention, with as many as 89% of stones less than 5mm passing spontaneously (without intervention).

Intervention for stones that do not or will not pass on their own include:

  • Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy (URS/LL) - An outpatient (no hospital stay) procedure where a small camera is passed through the urethra to the ureter or kidney where the stone is broken apart with a laser. High stone free rate.

  • Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) - An outpatient procedure where the stone is broken apart by high-energy shockwaves that are produced outside the body by a lithotripter. Less invasive but higher chance of stones after the procedure.

  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) - An overnight procedure (typically home the next day) for very large stones where the kidney is accessed through an incision in the back and stones are pulverized and removed.

To learn more about your specific options, please click the link below to schedule an appointment.