Kidney Stones Treatment in Bend, OR
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.
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. Dr. Andrew Neeb is a board-certified urologist with extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients with kidney stones. He will take the time to fully evaluate your symptoms in order to determine the treatment option that is right for you. Call to request an appointment at our urology office in Bend, OR.
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:
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
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.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
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.
Ureteroscopic stone removal
When a kidney stone is lodged in the ureters, the stone can be removed with a small instrument called an ureteroscope 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.
Parathyroid surgery
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 your Kidney Stone Consultation at Oregon Men’s Health in Bend
If you are suffering from kidney stones, call Oregon Men’s Health today. Alternatively, you can request an appointment online using our secure form. We offer care to patients from our office in Bend, OR.