Could This Pain Be a Kidney Stone?

You have pain that radiates from your sides down into your back, the pain so bad that you can hardly stand. After you've thrown up, almost passed out and cannot take it any longer, you suddenly feel better, or much worse. If you are getting worse, you will most likely go the clinic or ER. After checking in, you may hear these dreaded words: you have a kidney stone. I heard these words just over a year ago, and remember it like it was yesterday.

A kidney stone is usually a calcium deposit that begins to build inside your kidney. You can't feel it there, but as soon as it begins to leave the kidney, the pain begins. As the stone moves from the kidney into the ureter, the stone often become lodges and creates a blockage that prevents the fluid from draining from your kidneys, down your ureter and finally into the bladder. This blockage is what causes the extreme pain associated with a kidney stone.

While there is no sure way to prevent a kidney stone, there are some healthy life habits you can follow to lessen the likelihood you will suffer this dreaded condition. Drinking lots of fluids keeps your kidneys well flushed and can help rinse away any calcium deposits that are forming. Also, it is good to go to the restroom often so that your bladder is never too full. Holding your urine can increase the tension in your urinary tract and may help a stone to form.

Some experts have agreed that drinking lemonade can help to prevent a kidney stone from forming. Limiting your intake of unnatural calcium sources may also lessen the chance of a stone appearing in your kidneys. This includes calcium supplements and calcium fortified drinks and foods.

To diagnose the stone and measure its size the doctor will most likely order a CAT scan that will allow the stone to be viewed. This can also tell the doctor exactly where it is located. Most stones that are smaller than 5mm can pass naturally, while a stone larger than that most often will have to be removed medically.

The placement of the stone can also help the doctors to treat the stone most efficiently. If the stone is lodged near the bladder, the doctor may recommend waiting a while to see if the stone can move into the bladder. Likewise, if the stone is at the very top of the ureter, he or she may recommend surgically removing the stone.

There are two main methods of kidney stone removal. The standard method is lithotripsy by a laser that is passed through the urethra, into the bladder and then up the ureter to where the stone is lodged. The stone is then broken into many pieces and one piece is collected for lab analysis. These pieces can then naturally be flushed from your urinary tract with little to no pain. You will need anesthesia to prevent the feeling from this uncomfortable and painful procedure.

Another method is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. This method is a non-invasive remedy to a kidney stone. The stone is located through an X-ray. Then a shockwave is sent to the stone which will break up the stone and allow it to pass through your system. Local anesthesia is used during this procedure so that you do not feel the pain associated with the stone breaking into pieces.

If the stone is lodged inside the kidney, a Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy may be required. During this procedure the doctor inserts an instrument called a nephroscope through a cut into your back. This instrument can then breakup or remove the stone from your kidney. Due to the invasive nature of this procedure, general anesthesia is used.

Once the stone is removed the pain will most likely completely disappear. After a medical removal, your urinary tract may suffer from after pains which can be very painful. These pains are most likely a result from spasms occurring throughout your urinary tracts.

The surgeon will most likely place a stint in your ureter to protect the lining from healing shut. This stint can cause some slight discomfort and will need to be removed 4-6 days after surgery. This is a fairly simple procedure that is done in the clinic. No anesthesia is used, so you will experience some slight discomfort. The doctor will insert an instrument into the bladder via the urethra that will reach into the ureters. He will then use the instrument to hold on to the stint and pull it out very quickly.

Some experts say that after you suffer from one kidney stone the likelihood of having another one increases. This is not true for everyone, and there is no way of knowing whether you will suffer from future stones.

The good news is that kidney stones are treatable, and usually have no serious complications. Your urologist will do follow up visits with you and order an X-Ray to be sure no new stones are forming. These visits usually occur at 4 weeks, 2 months 6 months, and 2 years after the stone had developed.

If you ever suspect you have a kidney stone be sure to visit your doctor to receive a correct diagnosis. He or she will then direct your treatment and you should be pain-free and back to your normal schedule in no time!