HJAR Nov/Dec 2021

48 NOV / DEC 2021 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS DIALOGUE COLUMN UROLOGY MANY people describe kidney stones as be- ing one of the most painful medical condi- tions that can be experienced. A kidney stone is exactly what it sounds like, a cluster of crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. They congregate together and form stones of various sizes. Stones develop in the kidney, but they may break loose and move through the ureter, bladder and ure- thra. Small stones pass through with little discomfort if they don’t cause blockage, but if they continue to build up and grow, this can cause intense pain from the blockage of kidney drainage as they try to pass through the ureter, the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. Most patients suffering from a kidney stone visit their primary care physician Ask anyone who has passed a kidney stone if it is an experience they would ever like to relive. You will get a resounding, “No!” (PCP) or the emergency department for immediate treatment of the pain. In fact, kidney stones account for about 600,000 emergency room visits each year. Kidney stones are one of the most com- mon disorders of the urinary tract, with an estimated 10% of Americans experiencing kidney stones in their lifetime. Men are more likely to have kidney stones than women, while white people are five times more likely to have kidney stones than African Ameri- cans. Kidney stones occur most frequently in people between 40 and 50 years of age, and the incidence tends to decline after age 50. If your patients are suffering from kid- ney stones, it’s important that they see a urologist as soon as possible. Once kidney stones are identified and treated, the road to prevention begins with identifying the chemical composition of the stone and aver- age metabolic factors that put the patient at greater risk for stone development and stone growth. It is through correcting these meta- bolic factors that we can hopefully reduce the chances of a future stone developing. Symptoms The first symptom of a kidney stone is generally sharp, cramping pain in the back and side near the kidney or in the lower ab- domen. The pain begins when a stone moves into the urinary tract, causing blockage and irritation. Other signs of a kidney stone can include: • A feeling of intense need to urinate. • Urinating more often or a burning feel- ing during urination. • Urine that is dark or red due to blood. Sometimes, urine has only small Treating & Preventing KIDNEY STONES