Specific Kidney Stone Prevention

The old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly applies to kidney stones. The general recommendations for kidney stone prevention are very helpful. For patients who are having frequent stones or require surgical procedures for treatment of stones, a metabolic evaluation which consists of blood tests, urine tests, imaging (if necessary) and stone analysis can be done to determine the exact defect that is causing the kidney stones. This metabolic evaluation is very effective and can decrease stone formation rates up to 80 percent.

The process is simple: 1) a visit to a qualified physician for a history, physical examination, blood tests, stone analysis, imaging studies (if needed), and to set up the urine tests. 2) evaluation of the results of the tests and a decision by the physician regarding the use of medication and specific dietary recommendations. 3) education of the patient about the findings and adherence by the patient to the recommendations.

We now have many exciting and less invasive technologies to treat kidney stones which avoid the prolonged postop recoveries that were needed in the past. More important and much better for the patient than employing these less invasive procedures is not having a stone in the first place. We now have the knowledge and technology to prevent most stones so this is an option which should be considered if you are someone who has frequent stones or has had a procedure for treatment of stones in the past.