About Kidney Stones in Atlanta, GA

Even if you have not had to pass a kidney stone, there is still a chance you know someone who has endured this crisis. Affecting several thousand people per year, kidney stones (also called renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis) are rock-like deposits forged from minerals and salts in the kidneys. These stones can move anywhere along the urinary tract — the ureters, bladder, and urethra. Kidney stones are known to be painful, and passing them is no easy feat. This is why Dr. Tariq Hakky, a board-certified urologist out of Atlanta, GA, provides advanced treatments to remove kidney stones without having to sustain the discomfort and stress of passing them naturally. If you think you may be exhibiting pain and symptoms associated with kidney stones, contact Atlanta Cosmetic Urology and receive an assessment from Dr. Hakky.

Calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite or infection stones, and cystine stones are the four types of kidney stones your body can produce. Each form has a set of unique causes and risk factors.

• Calcium stones
  Calcium stones can develop if you have too much calcium in your urine. They can also form when you have normal levels of uric calcium present. These stones have two classes: calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate. Between these two classes, calcium oxalate stones are more common.
• Struvite stones
  Forming in response to infection, struvite stones can occur if you experience chronic urinary tract infections. Struvite stones are also characterized by their generally large size, and they often grow quickly. You can also develop them if your body has impaired bladder emptying functions, which can be brought on by paralysis, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis.
• Uric acid stones
  Uric acid stones develop from an excess of uric acid, a waste product, in the kidneys. These can develop in people who have Type 2 diabetes, gout, chronic diarrhea, or a genetic disposition for these stones. Additionally, uric acid stones may form in those who do not take in enough fluids or have a high-protein diet that is low in fruit and vegetable consumption.
• Cystine stones
  This subset of kidney stones is rare and may occur if you excrete excess cystine, an amino acid. This is usually the result of an inherited metabolic disorder.

If the stones are still in your kidneys, you may not be experiencing any discomfort. The extreme symptoms of kidney stones become noticeable when the stones cannot pass. When this happens, a stone is lodged in the ureter, causing intense distress and pain. At this point, you will likely also experience:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain while urinating
• Pressure and discomfort felt in your back, side, the lower groin, or abdomen
• A persistent urge to urinate
• Difficulty passing urine, or urinating in small amounts
• Blood in urine (cloudy or red/pink urine due to white and/or red blood cells being expelled)

Typically, you should allow smaller kidney stones to pass naturally in the course of 4 – 6 weeks as long as the pain is bearable. However, this is not an easy feat. It requires a great deal of time and should not be attempted without consulting a trained urologist, such as Dr. Hakky, first.

At his practice, Atlanta Cosmetic Urology, he performs three different kidney stone removal procedures, depending on the size and location of the stones: ureteroscopy (URS), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and ureteral stents. Although kidney stones can cause extreme discomfort, Dr. Hakky works closely with his patients to ensure that the removal process is as pleasant as possible.

Kidney stones can be painful and burdensome to deal with on your own. Dr. Hakky can work with you to treat and remove kidney stones. We know that passing a kidney stone naturally is not a pleasant experience. If you have any questions or concerns about kidney stones, please contact Atlanta Cosmetic Urology in Atlanta, GA today. Dr. Hakky is always happy to educate you about your condition and address your urological problems.