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Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones Treatment in Santa Ana, California

Kidney stones are also known as calculi (plural), or calculus (singular).  When it is in the kidney, it is a renal calculus.  The tube draining the kidney to the bladder is the ureter, and a stone in the ureter is a ureteral calculus. It is estimated that 20% of us will have a kidney stone in our lifetime.  Of those who get a stone, 50% will reoccur.

Our urologists in Orange County are professionals who have gained extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of urology through years of education, training, and practical experience. They are well-versed in the latest techniques and procedures for diagnosing and treating urological conditions, particularly kidney stones.

To accurately diagnose kidney stones, these urologists utilize the most advanced technology available, including imaging tests such as CT scans, ultrasound, and X-rays. These tools enable them to visualize the stones and determine their size, location, and composition. Our urologists can determine the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.

Causes

Kidney stones can run in families, but there are environmental factors for many patients.

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. Kidney Stones are caused by several factors, including:

  • Dehydration
  • Diet (too much oxalate, too much protein, or rarely too much calcium)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Gout
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Vitamin C (over 2 grams per day)
  • Calcium supplements if taken without food or if used excessively

Medical conditions such as gout, inflammatory bowel disease, and urinary tract infections can also increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Some medications, such as diuretics, calcium supplements, and antacids containing calcium, can also contribute to their formation.

Treatment of Kidney Stones

Medical treatment

The role of medicine and diet for kidney stone treatment is mainly for the prevention of future stones or to prevent the growth of  existing stones.  Prevention will be addressed below.  In rare instances, stones can be dissolved.  This is only effective for a smaller, purely uric acid stone and requires frequent medication adjustments and at-home urine testing up to 4 times per day by the patient.

For 90% of stones, there is no proven way to dissolve them or to medically treat a stone that has already formed.

Non-medical treatment options for most patients: non invasive, minimally invasive, and surgical procedures for kidney stone treatment and kidney stone removal.

In general, there are five options available to treat all urinary tract stones.  Kidney stone size and location is an important factor in deciding which treatment is best for you.

Kidney Stone Prevention

Everyone in the emergency room with a stone loudly proclaims “I will do anything to avoid another stone.”  In reality, very few people will stay on a prophylactic treatment program for many years.  Once they feel better, they stop therapy until the next painful stone.  The average person who passes a small stone without the need for a procedure (whether it is his first stone or it has been many years since the previous stone) will not benefit much from specific testing and treatment.  They are also unlikely to stay on any treatment recommended.

Kidney stone prevention is most important for patients with recurrent stones, multiple stones at one time or patients with very large or difficult to treat stones.  Testing includes a 24-hour urine collection, blood testing and chemical analysis of the stone if possible.  The possible treatments include diet changes (usually low oxalate diet or decreasing protein), citrate or magnesium supplementation and occasionally medication.

The information on this site is solely for purposes of general patient education and may not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your own physician for evaluation and treatment of your specific condition.

Schedule a Kidney Stone Consultation

If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones or have been diagnosed with kidney stones, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our expert urologists. Contact our urology clinic in Santa Ana today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards effective diagnosis and treatment of your kidney stones.

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Request an appointment with OC Urology today!