kidney stones
Kidney stone disease affects anywhere between 10 to 15 percent of both men and women. The incidence of kidney stone problems has also only increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Cities with warmer climates are more prone to suffer from the burden of kidney stone disease. Furthermore, reduced body hydration can also predispose to you to a kidney stone. Once you get a kidney stone, you may have excruciating waves of radiating pain, combined with nausea or vomiting.
Some patients may also pass urine that is red or pink. Either way, a kidney stone is a medical emergency and requires prompt medical intervention. In a few scenarios, some really large kidney stones can actually lead to chronic kidney disease and finally renal failure.
What is the best way to prevent a stone?
Drink water!
However, not all of us are very adept at listening to medical advice so suppose you are suffering from a kidney stone, which method of kidney stone removal should you choose?
Normally your urologist will give you three conventional treatment options depending on stone size and position. They are
1. Shockwave lithotripsy
2. Ureteroscopic removal with/without stent placement
3. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy.