Kidney Stone Treatment
Kidney stone treatment is dependent on the type and size of the stone, as well as the patient's medical condition.
When this happens, some form of treatment is required in order to dislodge and remove the stone. Many people with kidney stones never even know that they have them.
Various Kidney Stone Treatments Diet One of the most basic forms of treating kidney stones is diet. Certain types of food can help to stop the further development of kidney stones. Kidney stones have a good chance of passing, once they do not become so enlarged that they significantly or completely block the urinary tract. A proper kidney stone diet can play an important part in helping to absorb existing kidney stones, and also prevent recurrence.
Water Consumption Patients with kidney stones are encouraged to drink lots of water. A lack of fluids increase the concentration of minerals in the kidney, which can result in the formation of kidney stones. Even patients with kidney stones are encouraged to drink 2 to 3 quarts (8 to 12 glasses) of water daily. Water dilutes the urine and helps to prevent the concentration of mineral and salts that can form kidney stones. It also increases urine production, which helps to move stones out of the urinary tract. Increasing water consumption might be considered a very basic treatment, but it can be very effective in helping to dislodge and remove kidney stones as well as preventing recurrence.
Pain Medication A physician normally prescribes some form of pain medication such as morphine.
Surgery When kidney stones are not able to pass on their own, surgery may become necessary. Surgery is usually reserved until other kidney stone treatments fail or the stone is creating serious problems, such as serious obstruction, heavy bleeding, infection, or unbearable pain which cannot be otherwise treated. There are several surgical alternatives. In the past, open surgery (cutting the patient) was commonly used to remove kidney stones. Thanks to modern medical advancements, this surgical technique is not used as much. Other methods of kidney stone surgery includes inserting a tube into the bladder and up into the ureter. A tiny basket is then passed through the tube, which the surgeon uses to pull the stone out. Current methods allow the stone to be crushed by shock waves. This method is known as lithotrispy. With this method, shock waves are aimed at the stone, from outside the body using specialized equipment. These shock waves help to break up the stone into smaller fragments. These fragments can then pass out on their own or may be surgically removed. Compared to traditional open surgery, other current methods significantly reduce the recovery time of patients.
Alternative Kidney Stone Treatments There are several alternative treatments for relieving pain caused by kidney stones and for removing and preventing kidney stone formation. Alternative treatments include the following:
The type of kidney stone treatment used by a patient depends on the type and size of the stone as well as the patients' preference and physicians recommendations. It is advisable to take some time to research different treatment options and seek the advice of a competent physician, who can recommend the most effective course of treatment.
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