Kidney stones are hard crystallized deposits that form in the kidneys and become lodged in the urinary tract. Large kidney stones are painful and hard to pass through the urinary system. A process of blasting kidney stones produces smaller stones that are able to pass out of the body easier.
Instructions
1. Take the anesthesia as your doctor recommends. This helps any pain that may be experienced during the procedure.
2. Lie on a table as your doctor places a stent to hold the ureter open. The stent helps stones pass out of the ureter.
3. Lie on a water-filled cushion. Your doctor uses ultrasound or x-rays to locate the lodged stones. Sound waves are passed into your body and the waves blast the stones into smaller fragments. Smaller stones pass out of your body in the next few days or weeks.
Tips Warnings
Take over the counter pain medications such as ibuprofen after treatment. You may experience mild pain or discomfort in the lower back as stones begin to pass. Additional ESWL treatments may be necessary if stones are not blasted adequately the first time. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent kidney stones.
Do not have the ESWL done if you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder or have a kidney infection or kidney cancer.
Stones may cause urine blockage if they become lodged in the urinary tract. Stones are then removed with an ureteroscope.
Tags: blast, kidney, stones, become lodged, become lodged urinary, become lodged urinary tract, kidney stones, lodged urinary, lodged urinary tract, stones pass, urinary tract, your body, your doctor
