Dealing With Kidney Stones: March is National Kidney Month

March 1, 2017

Kidney stones are painful, and Dr. David Miner, chief nephrologist at Middlesex Hospital, says more people are getting them.

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“I’ve had many female patients say its worse than childbirth,” he says.

Miner says 12 to 13 percent of U.S. adult males and 7 percent of U.S. adult females will have kidney stones at some point in their lives. In recent years, there’s also a bump in numbers for adolescents and teenagers.

Your kidneys are important. They filter poisons out of the blood stream and help regulate your body. For example, your kidneys control your blood pressure.

Kidney stones are small, hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys. Most of them are calcium-based stones. However, some are made of uric acid.

A common sign that you have a kidney stone is pain. Miner says patients often have back pain that travels along their side, and they struggle to find a comfortable position. Another sign is blood in your urine.

If you think you have a kidney stone, you should see a urologist or a nephrologist. While they both treat kidney problems, there is a difference. They do different jobs.

A urologist is a surgical specialist who focuses on kidney and urinary tract disorders. They physically remove kidney stones. A nephrologist is a medical specialist who focuses on disorders that affect the way kidneys work. They are tasked with trying to figure out why you are getting kidney stones and prescribe nonsurgical treatments. Urologists often refer patients to nephrologists.

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Getting rid of kidneys stones may involve drinking lots of fluids. Fluids can help you pass a kidney stone on your own, but there are also various medical procedures that can help, including the use of shock waves. When dealing with kidney stones, your doctor will help you determine the best course of action.

Those who know the pain that comes with kidney stones often want to know how to prevent new stones from forming. Miner recommends eat a Mediterranean diet, a diet that includes more vegetables and non-meat dishes. A normal calcium intake is important, but he says you should lower sodium intake.

Doctors like Miner can also do a urine test to determine your kidney stone risk factors. This may ultimately help to reduce your risk for developing kidney stones in the future.

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