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Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) |
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What are Kidney Stones? |
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Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract, and develop from crystals that separate from the urine and build-up on the inner survades of the kidney. If the crystals remain small enough, they will travel through the urinary tract and pass out unnoticed while urinating. However, if the crystals accumulate and form a large stone (or stones), they can impair the function of the kidney, obstruct the flow of urine and cause extreme pain. In these cases, treatment is require. If left untreated, kidneys may be permanently damaged by an obstructing stone in only a few days. Stones occur for a variety of reasons including diet, dehydration (not drinking enough fluids while doing manual labor or sports), and family history. |
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Common symptoms of stone disease include: |
- Sharp pain in the abdomen or lower back
- Fever
- Blood in the urine
- Pain while urinating
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Your physician will diagnose kidney stones with the help of urine analysis, x-ray or ultrasound. |
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How are Stones Treated? |
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Until recently, surgery was the most common form of treatment for kidney stones. Surgery is painful, leaves a scar, and requires a lengthy recovery period (4-6 weeks). Today, lithotripsy or ESWL (locally, laymen and even non-Urologist doctors refer to it as “Laser” surgery), is the treatment of choice all around the world. This non-invasive technique uses “shock waves” (and NOT “lasers” as is commonly believed) instead of a knife or scalpel to remove stones from the kidney and urinary tract. |
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- No scarring
- Quick recovery time
- Out-Patient procedure
- Non-Invasive
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The shockwave passes harmlessly through soft body tissue. When the shock wave strikes the kidney stone, cracks appear in the kidney stone’s surface. After about 1 hour, the stone is usually pulverized. The fragments pass out naturally during urination for a number of days or even weeks after lithotripsy. |
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Is Lithotripsy Safe? |
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Yes, lithotripsy is safe, and performed worldwide with excellent results. The procedure is non-invasive and conducted under the supervision of a highly trained physician and technician. Occasional side effects are bruising around the treatment area, bloody urine and pain for a few days following lithotripsy. |
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What other disease conditions will not allow lithotripsy to be done? |
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Most common medical conditions will not interfere with the thererapy as long as they’re stable and controlled. There are however a few conditions wherein lithotripsy cannot be performed. These include blood clotting disorders, pregnant women, and aortic aneurysms. Although non-invasive, before undergoing lithoripsy, a thorough evaluation by your Urologist is mandatory. |
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Kidney Stone Prevention |
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Patients should visit their Urologist for follow-up after 2-4 weeks. If you think you are passing stones, try to catch them with a strainer. Stone fragments may be analyzed by your doctor and future recurrence prevented. The best insurance against kidney stones is water. Drink 3 liters or more daily depending on your lifestyle and climate. |
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