Kidney Stone Disease Specialist
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The Urology Group
Urologist located in Hardeeville, SC
An estimated 500,000 people in the US seek emergency treatment for kidney stone disease every year. To address new or recurrent kidney stones, Manuel Perez, MD, and the staff a The Urology Group in Hilton Head Island and Hardeeville, South Carolina, offer comprehensive, on-site diagnostic and treatment services. Dr. Perez devises a treatment plan to ease your pain and provide preventive care to prevent future kidney stones. If you suspect you have kidney stones, don’t delay an evaluation. Contact The Urology Group online or by phone today for an appointment.
Kidney Stone Disease Q & A
What are kidney stones?
Your kidneys are responsible for removing excess fluids and waste from your blood. This process creates urine that travels out of your kidneys and into the bladder before leaving your body.
In some cases, waste in the kidneys begins to accumulate and stick together, creating clumps known as kidney stones. Both men and women are susceptible to developing kidney stones, especially if they have a family history of the condition.
Other risk factors for kidney stones include:
- Obesity
- Kidney disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Use of certain medications
You may also be at increased risk for developing kidney stones if you don’t drink enough water or if you eat a diet high in protein, salt, and sugar.
What are the symptoms of kidney stone disease?
If you have kidney stones that are small in size, they may pass through your urinary tract without any noticeable symptoms. As the stones grow larger, you may experience symptoms like:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain during urination
- Sharp back or lower abdominal pain
Kidney stones can also cause persistent nausea and vomiting. To determine if your symptoms relate to kidney stones, schedule a consultation at The Urology Group as soon as possible.
How are kidney stones diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of kidney stones, Dr. Perez may request a 24-hour diagnostic urine test. He may also perform an ultrasound, which creates images of your kidneys to help identify the size and location of existing stones.
In some cases, you may need to take home a special device that you use during urination. The device works like a strainer and is designed to allow urine to pass through while catching any kidney stones. Dr. Perez analyzes the stones you to determine their root cause, which can pinpoint the right treatment option for your condition.
How is kidney stone disease treated?
Small stones that aren’t affecting your urine output or causing you pain should be allowed to pass naturally. You can take over-the-counter medications to keep you comfortable until the stone is gone. Dr. Perez may also recommend prescription medications and supplements to treat existing stones and prevent new ones.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
If you have larger stones that are causing pain or obstructing your urinary tract, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy delivers shock wave energy into the kidney to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces that are easier to pass.
Ureteroscopy
A ureteroscopy procedure involves the insertion of a long tube into the kidney to remove the stone.
Laser treatments
When stones are too large to be removed, Dr. Perez may need to use laser technology to break the stone into smaller pieces for easier removal.
Following your treatment, Dr. Perez works with you on dietary changes and lifestyle modifications that can reduce your risk of developing more kidney stones.
If you have recurrent kidney stone issues or need a diagnosis of unexplained pain, schedule a consultation at The Urology Group today by using the online booking feature or by calling the office.
