Kidney Stone Removal Treatment

 

How to dissolve kidney stones

The best way to dissolve kidney stones is to use treatment methods that are suitable for the type of stones you have developed. Since cystine, calcium, uric acid, and struvite stones are different from one another, you have to be familiar about the treatment options recommended for the particular stone formations in your kidney. This way, you can easily cure your kidney problem without exposing yourself to further health risks.

Calcium oxalate stones

Calcium oxalate stones are usually formed due to the excessive amounts of calcium in the body. Although calcium plays a huge role in keeping a healthy diet, too much of it can become trapped and crystallized in your kidneys.

Usually, water pills are prescribed to patients who are suffering from calcium oxalate stones. Diuretics can dissolve kidney stone crystals by increasing your urinary volume and decreasing calcium restrictions. Patients who do not respond well to water pills are required to limit their calcium intake.

High levels of urinary oxalate, also known as hyperoxaluria, can be cured by increased fluid intake and vitamin B6 supplements. Water and vitamin B6 can reduce the excretion of oxalate and help with dissolving kidney stones.

Struvite stones

Struvite stones, also known as infection stones, develop after a urinary tract infection and affects the urine’s natural balance. They are more common in women because they are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men are.

You can dissolve kidney stones naturally by drinking cranberry juice. Aside from dissolving struvite stones, cranberry juice can also restore the proper functioning of your damaged kidneys. Consult your doctor before using any kidney stones home treatment in order to make sure that you will not develop further complications.

Cystine stones

Cystine serves as the building block of nerves, muscles, and other parts of the body. However, excessive cystine build-up in your urine can lead to the formation of cystine stones. Although this condition is rare, it usually runs in families with a high predisposition to stone formations.

High levels of cystine in the urine are usually treated through an increase in fluid intake. To make these kidney stones dissolve, some doctors also recommend the need to increase the urine’s pH level with the use of potassium citrate or sodium bicarbonate.

Uric acid stones

kidney stone removal to help a kidney stone dissolve you need to regulate the body’s level of uric acid. Vitamin C supplements and sugar-sweetened beverages can do wonders in curing this type of kidney stone. A healthy diet also plays a vital role in the treatment of this medical condition.

If you want to learn more about how to dissolve kidney stones, you will also need to consult your doctor regarding your condition. Alkalizing medications such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium citrate can also contribute to the effective treatment of uric acid stones.

After reading these tips, you can already determine which type of treatment method can help you dissolve kidney stones without any hassle. 

Surgical Methods

Surgical procedures are considered the last option for kidney stone removal. If your kidney stones are too large to pass through your uterine system, you may need to consider undergoing effective surgical procedures. Here are some of the most popular medical treatments used for the removal of kidney stones.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)

This procedure uses shock waves to crush stones into small pieces. When they are already small enough, they can easily pass through your urinary system without causing infections and other complications.

ESWL uses high-voltage discharges to crush the stones in the kidney. High-energy waves are transmitted through water by positioning water cushions between the patient and the instrument used for transmitting shock waves. This kidney stones removal method has continued to earn the approval of medical institutions because of its low-risk nature.

However, you can only undergo this treatment if you are suffering from stones that are no more than three centimeters in size. This is also your best option if you are not a possible candidate for open surgery. Breathing problems, hypertension, and diabetes can also make you a possible candidate for ESWL.

Laser lithotripsy

kidney stone laser treatment lithotripsy utilizes a laser to pulverize uric acid stones. Its laser is usually mounted on a fiber optic scope that is inserted through the urethra. As soon as the scope reaches the stones, the laser is activated to crush down the mineral deposits in your kidney.

Unlike other kidney stone removal methods, lithotripsy uses Holmium laser for the entire procedure. Its popularity continues to increase because it has a higher success rate than traditional lithotripsy. Two days after the procedure, you can already continue performing your daily routines.

However, the use of laser for the removing kidney stones can also cause possible complications. A few days after the procedure, you may experience mild bleeding. On the other hand, infections and tissue scarring is only possible for patients suffering from heart disease.

Open surgery

Open surgery is the least desired method used to remove kidney stones. That is why it is better to know how to avoid kidney stones so that you never have to experience it. It involves the need for large surgical incisions in order to provide direct access to your kidney. Surgeons use this method only when patients are suffering from large uric acid stones.

Unlike other surgical procedures for how to remove kidney stones, open surgery necessitates longer recovery periods. Patients who had to undergo this surgery are usually advised to avoid strenuous activities four to six weeks after the procedure.

Now that you have a clearer idea about surgical procedures used for kidney stone removal, you can easily find the best procedure that suits your overall health condition.