Kidney Stone Treatment in NYC

Are you having problems with pain near your back and side below the ribs? If so, it could be a kidney stone, and that requires the care of a urology specialist. Hillel Marans, MD, is a board-certified urologist with over 30 years of expertise in minimally invasive kidney stone treatment and urologic surgery. This highly skilled specialist has a busy practice in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City where he provides expert, state-of-the-art treatment for kidney stones. He also takes a personalized approach to patient care, which means you’re much more than just a number to Dr. Marans.

What Are Kidney Stones?

When high levels of minerals and salt exist in the kidneys, they can form a clump of matter known as a kidney stone. These stones may stay inside of the kidney, where they will not cause any further harm.

The real problem begins when these kidney stones enter the ureter and block urine from traveling through the ureter to the bladder. This blockage caused by the kidney stone becomes very painful and can require surgery if they do not pass on their own.

What are Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Other than pain, patients in the New York City area with kidney stones often experience other symptoms such as:

• Cloudy or discolored urine, usually pink, red, or brown in color
• Foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urination
• Fever or chills typically occur when an infection is present
• Pain radiating from the lower abdomen and groin, or in the back below the ribs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Painful urination
• The persistent need to urinate, often producing very small amounts

What are the Types of Kidney Stones?

Not all kidney stones are the same. The exact type of kidney stone will determine the course of action used to treat the patient’s kidney stones. These types of kidney stones include:

• Calcium stones (most common)
• Uric acid stones
• Struvite stones
• Cystine stones

How are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing the symptoms associated with kidney stones, contact Dr. Marans and his team for immediate diagnosis. During your appointment, Dr. Marans utilizes state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat your kidney stones. Tests to check for kidney stones include blood and urine testing, digital imaging, and lab analysis of passed kidney stones to determine their cause.

How are Kidney Stones Treated?

Dr. Marans designs a treatment strategy according to the symptoms you’re having, the perceived size of the stone, and its location.

Most often, kidney stones will come to pass. For smaller stones, Dr. Marans may prescribe drinking large quantities of water to flush the stone and taking over-the-counter pain medicine to help with pain management. This also helps relax the muscles surrounding your ureter. It can take roughly four to six weeks for a kidney stone to pass. While it may seem like a long amount of time, it is safe to continue trying to pass a kidney stone on your own so long as the pain is manageable and there are no present signs of an infection. If you suspect that there may be an infection spreading within your kidney or ureter, you should seek medical attention at our NYC office immediately.

Some medications have been shown to help increase the body’s ability to pass kidney stones. Such medications work by relaxing the ureter, which provides the kidney stone with ample room to make its way to the bladder, where it will finally exit the body through urination. Prescription-strength painkillers may also be necessary depending on each individual case.

If the pain becomes too great, or if the ureter becomes completely blocked and begins to affect kidney function, surgery may be necessary. Modern technology allows for this surgery to be minimally invasive with minor recovery time. The most common types of surgery for the removal of kidney stones include:

• Ureteroscopy (URS)
• Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) – Breaks up kidney stones through the use of sound waves, without the need to introduce any instrumentation into the body.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) – This procedure is for larger kidney stones and involves the introduction of an instrument directly from the back of the body into the kidney through a very small one-third-inch opening. Using ultrasound technology, this procedure will break up the stone.

How can Future Kidney Stones be Prevented?

Once Dr. Marans finds out why you are forming stones, he will give you tips on how to prevent them in the future. There is no “one-size-fits-all” remedy for preventing kidney stones. Every patient is different. You may have to change your diet or take medications. Below are some tips to help prevent stones. Patients near NYC can help assist with future stone prevention by utilizing the following:

• Adequate hydration every day to prevent dehydration
• Salt restricted diet
• Recommended dietary calcium
• Avoid excessive green leafy vegetables
• Red meat in moderation
• Plenty of fruits to be eaten
• Dr Marans may prescribe some medications

Other Frequently asked Questions

What Are Kidney Stones?

When high levels of minerals and salt exist in the kidneys, a clump of matter known as a kidney stone can form inside of the kidney.

How Long Does It Take to Flush Out a Kidney Stone?

Stones smaller than 4 millimeters pass on their own 80 percent of the time. They take an average of 31 days to pass. Stones that are 4–6 mm are more likely to require some sort of treatment, but around 60 percent pass naturally. This takes an average of 45 days.

What Dissolves Kidney Stones Fast?

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which helps dissolve kidney stones. In addition to flushing out the kidneys, apple cider vinegar can also decrease any pain caused by the stones. In addition, water and lemon juice can help flush the stones and prevent future kidney stones.

How Will I Know When a Kidney Stone Has Passed?

As stones move into your ureters — the thin tubes that allow urine to pass from your kidneys to your bladder — signs, and symptoms can result. Signs and symptoms of kidney stones being passed can include severe pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and blood in your urine.

Which Fruits Are Good for Preventing Kidney Stones?

Citrus fruit, and their juice, can help reduce or block the formation of stones due to naturally occurring citrate. Good sources of citrus include lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.

How Long After Passing a Kidney Stone Does the Pain Stop?

Once it reaches the bladder, the stone typically passes within a few days. However, pain may subside even if the stone is still in the ureter, so it is important to follow up with your doctor if you do not pass the stone within 4-6 weeks.

Can Kidney Stones Grow Bigger?

Kidney stones can start small but can grow larger in size, even filling the inner hollow structures of the kidney. Some stones stay in the kidney, and may not cause any problems.

Is Milk Good for Kidney Stones?

Yes. Calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and some cheese and oxalate-rich foods are beneficial for preventing kidney stones. This is because oxalate and calcium from the foods are more likely to bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before entering the kidneys, make it less likely that kidney stones will form.

What Does Passing a Kidney Stone Feel Like for a Woman?

They feel pain in their abdomen, lower back, or groin as the stone passes through the narrow ureter and beyond. That can also cause some gastric discomfort, which is centered in the upper abdomen and can be dull and achy or throbbing pain.