Kidney Stones Symptoms and Treatments
Important Facts:
- More common in males than females
- Upwards of 10% of males may have a kidney stone during their lifetime
- Upwards of 7% of females may have a kidney stone during their lifetime
Peak Age for Kidney Stones:
20s to 60s
Geographical Impact:
- 2x higher in the South
- Southern has a high incidence due to heat
Recurrence:
- Chance of getting another stone within 7.5 years: upwards of 40%
- Annual cost of kidney stones: upwards of 2 billion
Symptoms of Kidney Stones:
- Sudden onset of severe back pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Fever, chills
- Blood in urine
Types of Kidney Stones:
- Calcium Oxalate (dark, hard form)
- Calcium Oxalate (spiculated yellow, breaks up easier)
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- CT scan in emergency room
- Medications to help pass small stones
- Treatment at UCI Douglas Hospital for large stones
Advancements in Treatment:
- No longer involves open surgery
- Stones as large as a tennis ball can be removed through a hole no larger than a finger tip
Prevention:
- Drink more water in a day
- Normal calcium diet (1 gram a day)
- Low-salt diet (2-3 grams a day)
- Low animal protein diet (less than 50 grams a day)
Follow-up:
- See a urologist for full metabolic evaluation and treatment plan if you have more than one stone
- UCI Urology: Experts in treating and preventing kidney stones, no open stone surgeries in over a decade
Thank you.