Kidney Stone Treatment in Lake Charles, LA
While kidney stones cause no permanent damage, passing them can produce excruciating back and abdominal pain as they move from the kidney through the ureters (vessels connecting the kidney to the bladder). Knowing the type of kidney stones that have formed and why they developed is important in preventing the formation of new stones. Learn more about kidney stone prevention here.
Board-certified urologist, Dr. Siddiq and the staff at Advanced Urology are committed to providing the best-in-class urology care to patients in Lake Charles and Sulphur, LA. Dr. Siddiq will help diagnose your kidney stone symptoms and discover the best treatment option for you. For more information, please contact our urology clinic at (337) 480-7499 and request an appointment today!
What is a Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones can be very small and hard formations of acid salts and minerals that form on the inner surfaces of your kidneys. Normally these materials are diluted in urine, however when urine is concentrated, they can crystallize and solidify into small masses called kidney stones.
What Are The Symptoms?
Kidney stones don’t have any symptoms until it moves within the kidney and into one of the ureters, which are the connecting tubes between the kidneys and bladder.
When a kidney stone becomes stuck in a ureter, it blocks the urine flow, leading to kidney swelling and ureter spasms, resulting in intense discomfort. At this stage, the following symptoms can show up:
- Intense, acute pain in the lower back and side, just below the ribs.
- The pain may also radiate to the lower abdomen and groin area.
- The pain tends to come in waves, varying in intensity.
- Experiencing pain or a burning sensation while passing urine.
Treatment Options for Kidney Stones
Fluid intake and dietary changes
You may be able to pass kidney stones by drinking plenty of water (up to 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.8 liters) a day and by remaining physically active. Dietary changes may include adjusting one’s intake of sugar, sodium calcium animal protein, insoluble fiber and vitamin C. Your physician can make recommendations based on the type and cause of your condition.
Pain Medication
During the course of passing a kidney stone, your physician may prescribe drugs to reduce or minimize the often time debilitating pain associated with the movement of the stones from the kidney into the bladder.
Medical Procedures
Kidney stones that can’t be managed or treated with dietary and fluid intake measures, because of their size or because of ongoing urinary tract infections or bleeding, may need more involved approaches. These include:
This common procedure uses ultrasonic shock waves to break the stones into very small particles that can be passed in your urine. Typically, a patient is immersed into a tub of water or lies on a soft cushion for the procedure.
When ESWL is ineffective, or in conditions where a stone is very large, a physician will remove the stone through a small incision in your back using an instrument called a nephroscope.
When a kidney stone is lodged in the ureters, the stone can be removed with a small instrument called an ureterescope that is passed directly into the ureter through the bladder. Besides physically snaring and removing a stone, the ureteroscope can also be used to direct laser or ultrasonic energy to break up the stone. These methods work well on stones in the lower part of the ureter.
When kidney stones are caused by overactive parathyroid glands, (located on the four corners of your thyroid gland) the cause is most often a small benign tumor in one of the glands. To correct this condition a physician can surgically remove the tumor.
Schedule an Appointment for Kidney Stone Treatment
It is important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits associated with these various forms of treatment and to discuss them all thoroughly with Dr. Siddiq. He will take the time to answer any questions you may have to help discover your kidney stone treatment options. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Farjaad Siddiq, please call our urology clinic today at (337) 480-7499 or request an appointment here.
Schedule an Appointment Online