It’s estimated that 1 in 8 people experience the pain of kidney stones at some point in their life. And when you’ve had one, your odds of a recurrence are 50% after five years and 80% after 10 years. Schedule a visit today with one of the kidney stone experts at Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists in Bellingham, Washington. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms now, are worried about a recurrence, or want to find ways to decrease the likelihood of a recurrence, they can help.
Stones that settle in your kidney or don’t grow too large might not cause symptoms. Once they begin to enlarge, multiply, or move into other areas of your urinary system, however, you may experience:
If an infection develops, you might also develop fever and chills, and should seek immediate medical attention.
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that crystallize and clump together inside your kidneys. Understanding the type of minerals contained in your stone(s) helps the Pacific Northwest Urology experts identify the cause and prevent future occurrences.
Most kidney stones are calcium oxalate stones. Oxalate occurs naturally in certain foods and is made daily by your liver. A diet that is high in salt, meat, and processed foods can cause stones. Dehydration can also be a culprit.
Other kidney stone types include:
The health care experts at Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists have several options for treating kidney stones. Depending on the size, location, and your pain level, they may recommend medical expulsion therapy.
This treatment includes increasing fluids to help push the stone through your system, along with medications to ease your discomfort and relax your ureter, allowing the stone to pass more easily.
Other treatment specializations at Pacific Northwest Urology include:
And once they’ve collected and analyzed your stone(s), the providers develop a care strategy that helps prevent recurrence.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a kidney stone or are worried about a recurrence, schedule a visit at Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists today. Call or click the “online” button to get started.
3 simple steps