There are many factors that can influence an individual's stone formation.  Individual biochemistry,hydration status and medication usage can influence the frequency and severity of an individual's stone disease.  Urology Northwest is interested in helping assist patients with the passage of stones as well as the prevention of recurrence.

The physicians at Urology Northwest believe that diet, lifestyle and body compostion may influence the rate and severity of stone formation.  Vitamin D may also play a significant role in this process.  Diet, life style and hyrdation modifications may assist in decreasing stone formation.  Interestingly the use of some dietary supplements may increase stone formation in some individuals while decreasing stone formation in other individuals.  A close analysis of the dietary supplements being used is necessary as not all supplements are created equally.

Repeated stones place stress on the kidneys and can cause irrepairable damage.  Therefore it is very important to appropriately manage stone disease.

Care and treatment will include a history and physical exam.  Addtionally your physician will utilize several tools to evaluate your stone formation.  These include; blood work (kidney and parathyroid function, vitamin D), CT scan, urinalysis.  Additional evaluation tools will be used to determine your individual set of risk factors (diet, lifestyle, other health conditions, prescribe, OTC, self directed medications or dietary supplements).

To remove the stone the physicians will utilize a surgical procedure called Extracorporeal Shock wave Lithotrispy (ESWL).  This procedure breaks up stones found in the kidney, bladder and ureter into small pieces.   After the procedure you will pass tiny pieces of the stone through your urine.   This procedure is performed in an outpatient surgery center or as a same day surgery in a hospital setting. Minimal anesthetic is required. Occasionally the physician will place a stent which helps guide the stones out or will catch the stones in a basket. Follow up with the surgeon is always required.  Part of the follow care will include additional imaging to track fragments of stones that may not have passed.  It is not unusual for people to have bilateral stones.  The surgical treatment of bilateral stones will usually require services on separate days.

Possible Interventions to help deter stone formation include:

Diet and Lifestyle modifications- We recommend follow up visits with our naturopathic physicians to evaluate individual risk factors and monitor vitamin D and other nutrient status.

Drug Therapy-Utilization of medications that relax the renal pelvic (kidney and ureters) to aid in the passage of stones that are considered safe to pass (generally less than 5 mm in diameter).

24-hour urinalysis - lab test that provides a more in-depth look at mineral utilization and parameters that can be helpful in assessing and implementing dietary and lifestyle modification.  This test is recommended to be performed every 6-12 months.