When Is Surgical Kidney Stone Removal Needed?
We can treat kidney stones in many ways, but sometimes you need a surgical procedure to give you the relief you need. Take a moment to learn why surgery might be the best option for you.
Each year, more than a half a million Americans end up in the emergency room because of kidney stones. And about one in 10 people nationwide will develop a kidney stone at some point during their life.
Our team at Stone Relief Center in The Woodlands, Texas, has the expertise to diagnose your kidney stones and relieve your pain effectively. We provide several treatments that include:
To accurately diagnose your condition and determine what type of stone you have, we use ancillary services that include X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds. We also perform lab tests. The diagnostic imaging, bloodwork, and urinalysis help our team develop a treatment plan for you quickly, without sending you to outside labs.
Kidney stones travel through your urinary tract and can cause any of the following symptoms:
In many cases, your stones can break into small fragments, causing no symptoms and allowing you to pass them without any pain.
Knowing what type of stone you have can help determine its cause. The five types include:
This type of stone is the most common, making up about 70-80% of all kidney stones. It develops when high levels of oxalate and calcium mix in your urine, which can come from your diet and other factors.
This type forms when you have a high pH in your urine. Although they’re not as common as calcium oxalate kidney stones, they can grow faster and larger.
Foods like shellfish and organ meats have high levels of a chemical compound called purines, which can produce monosodium urate, causing a uric acid stone to form. This type can also develop if you have diabetes, lose fluid due to chronic diarrhea, or struggle with metabolic syndrome. Genetic factors can play a role, as well.
These stones develop in response to a urinary tract infection. They can grow quickly and become large, sometimes with very little or no warning signs.
These stones form in people who have a hereditary disorder called cystinuria, causing excessive amounts of an amino acid to collect in your urine.
If you pass a stone, try to save it. Then bring it with you to your appointment for an analysis. No matter what type of kidney stone you have, you can have the confidence that our team can treat you effectively and seamlessly.
To find out more about the different types of kidney stones, contact our team today for an appointment. Call or book your visit online. You can also send us a message if you have any questions or concerns.
