THE KIDNEY STONES MENACE!
What can Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy do about it?
Kidney stones occur when minerals in your urine aggregate inside your kidneys, forming solid masses, known as `stones`. These may consist of small, sharp-edged crystals or smoother, heavier formations that resemble river pebbles. These usually exit your body spontaneously during urination.
However, sometimes your body can’t pass larger formations through urination, mostly because the stones are too big or impacted somewhere inside your kidneys. This eventually may lead to kidney damage. People with kidney stones may experience bleeding, severe pain (known as Renal Colic), or urinary tract infections. When stones begin to cause these types of problems, medical intervention becomes a necessity, and one of the treatment options your trusted Urologist may propose is Extracorporeal Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).
What is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is by far the most common treatment for most kidney stones worldwide. It is an effective treatment solution and it is a non-invasive one; no surgery and no incisions.
The treatment comprises the use of shock waves from outside the body that are targeted at a kidney stone causing the stone to shatter and fragment into small pieces that can easily flow out with the urine later on. In case of residual big pieces, the treatment can be repeated safely at a later session.
The terminology is a bit long and complex, but it refers to: extracorporeal (from outside the body), shock waves (pressure-based waves), and lithotripsy (originates from a Greek explanation;”litho” meaning stone, and “tripsy” meaning crushed)
Who is the best candidate for this treatment?
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy works better with some stones than others. Usually, stones that are smaller than 2 cm in diameter are the best size for ESWL. Very large stones cannot be treated this way. For example, big stones `staghorn stones` that fill the pelvis of the kidney (the collective basin inside the kidney which collects the urine before being flown down the ureter) are too big to be treated by this procedure.
Fundamental for the success of treatment and prior to decision taking as to whether you are a good candidate for this form of treatment, your trusted Urologist has to take in consideration the size and shape of the stone, where it is stuck in your urinary tract, your general health, as well as the health state of your kidney.
What does the procedure involve?
This is typically an out-patient procedure. You will be kindly requested to relax down on a special table, with a soft, water-filled cushion placed on your abdomen or behind your targeted kidney. The body is positioned so that the stone can be targeted precisely with the shock wave. The complete treatment takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Mostly, a simple sedation and a pain-killer are all what is needed for the procedure.
After the procedure, you will usually stay for about an hour then be allowed to return home and resume your daily life routine, easily enough, next day. You will be advised to drink plenty of liquid and you may need to take an oral course of an antibiotic.
What does our Urology clinic offer?
Patients with symptomatic kidney stone attacks can suffer severe pain and could become acutely so ill. This necessitates several and recurrent visits to urology clinics and many hours spent in busy, crowded emergency units before a definitive treatment plan can be set.
Our urology doctor in dubai has the latest technology for noninvasive and endoscopic treatment solutions for
kidney stones. We offer immediate treatment to patients having acute stone disease bouts. Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary pain and suffering from renal colic and facilitate your evaluation and treatment without delay.
We have enhanced many of the methods and strategies currently used to determine who is a good candidate for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and how to maximize effectiveness while improving patient safety and bolstering the chances that the stones will break.
By combining extensive experience with the latest science, we will guide you to the best treatment option for your kidney stones.
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