Kidney Stones
What is a kidney stone?
A kidney stone is a little ball calcium or other mineral that has formed a tiny rock somewhere along your urinary tract. These can form inside the kidney itself, in the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder (ureter) or in the bladder itself (bladder stones).
How do I know if I have a kidney stone?
Kidney stones are all or nothing. You either don’t feel a thing and never know OR you have excruciating pain. Ask anyone who has had one. Apparently it’s similar to child birth.
How are kidney stones treated?
Kidney stones can be treated by waiting for them to pass or with a procedure. If a procedure is required, it will be done by a urologist. After you are done with that stone episode and your feel better, you can see a nephrologist to have your urine analyzed. We can look at your urine to see what risk factors you have that make you more likely to create a kidney stone and treat that problem. The easiest way to prevent a stone is by drinking LOTS of water. I also offer genetic testing to my stone patients who I suspect may have a genetic predisposition to forming stones.
What is the difference between a Nephrologist and a Urologist?
Glad you asked. To make it simple, think of your kidneys like a computer. You have people who manage the hardware, like physically put the thing together, take it apart, remove pieces; then you have people who manage the software, the inner workings and functionality. Well urologists manage the hardware and nephrologists manage to software. Hope that helps!
Kidney Beans 