Kidney Stones and How to Remove Them Kidney Stones and How to Remove Them
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Kidney stones and how to remove them Kidney stones and how to remove them Kidneys Diagnosis ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) is Pain is part of human consciousness and is an invaluable aid to Initial diagnosis is based on symptoms but this may be followed a non-invasive treatment of survival. It tells us when something is wrong with our body. All pains by , or X-ray, ultrasound scans intravenous pyelogram (IVP) kidney stones using sound are different; back pain, toothache, bruising or headache. There are even a to give a more detailed picture of the size, number CT scan waves to break up the even phantom pains where people who have had limbs amputated and location of the stones. This is always carried out prior to stone. Somewhat like the feel pain in the limb even although it is no longer there. One of the surgical intervention. opera singer hitting just the worst pains is that associated with kidney stones. It is described right note and causing the as similar to being stabbed with a knife, agonising or excruciating. Boston Scientifi c has supported the production of this lesson. Types of kidney stones wine glass to shatter. There However, a vivid description is ‘exquisitely painful’, as it gives an We are a leading innovator of medical solutions that improve Knowing the type of kidney stone helps determine the cause and may are various arrangements of indication of the uniqueness of the pain. the health of patients around the world. Our products and give clues on how to reduce the risk of getting more kidney stones. the apparatus but in general technologies are used to diagnose or treat a wide range of The Greek physician Hippocrates fi rst described the symptoms of Types of kidney stones include: the patient, dressed in a kidney stones in 400 BC as follows: hospital gown, lies on medical conditions, including heart, digestive, pulmonary, Calcium stones make up the majority of kidney stones usually in the a water-fi lled cushion. vascular, urological, women’s health, and chronic pain ‘...an acute pain is felt in the kidney, the loins, the fl ank and the form of either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. High energy shock (sound) conditions. We continue to innovate in these areas and are extending our innovations into new geographies and testis of the affected side. With the urine sand is passed; as the Struvite stones form in response to a urinary tract infection where waves are focused on the stone for about an hour and these break high-growth adjacency markets. sand passes along the ureter, it causes severe pain which is bacteria produce ammonia which builds up in the urine and causes the stone into small pieces. This is non-invasive, apart from the relieved when it is expelled; then the same sufferings begin again.’ the formation of magnesium ammonium phosphate which forms possible use of a catheter to help remove the debris, but there With approximately 23,000 employees and 12 manufacturing the stone. These stones can grow quickly and become quite large, can be a certain amount of bruising and bleeding caused by the facilities around the world and market presence in 100 What are kidney stones? blocking the ureter and causing it to distend. It is the swelling of shock waves. The patient is normally conscious and, if there are no countries, Boston Scientifi c is dedicated to transforming lives the ureter that causes the sudden pain, complications, can go home shortly afterwards. through innovative medical solutions that improve the health Kidney stones, sometimes called renal sometimes with little warning. of patients around the world. calculi, are lumps of hard, crystalline mineral material that form within the kidney or urinary Uric acid stones can form in people who RIRS (retrograde intrarenal With corporate headquarters in Marlborough, Massachusetts tract. The medical term for having them is don’t drink enough fl uids or who lose too surgery) which is a and major operations in North and South America, Boston nephrolithiasis. About one in every 20 people much fl uid, eat a high-protein diet, or those procedure for performing Scientifi c has established three key strategic sites in Ireland will be affected at some time in their life, usually who have gout. Certain genetic factors surgery within the kidney — Clonmel, Cork and Galway — employing in excess of 3,500 between the ages of thirty to fi fty. They are may also increase the risk of developing using a viewing tube called employees across the broad range of activities in which the more common in Asians and Caucasians than uric acid stones. a fi bre-optic endoscope. company is involved. in Africans or African Americans. The scope is passed Cystine stones form in people with through the urethra and a hereditary disorder that causes the bladder and then through Boston Scientifi c in Clonmel Causes of kidney stones kidneys to excrete too much of certain the ureter into the pelvis of The Clonmel operation is responsible for the production of Kidney stones form for three main reasons: amino acids especially cysteine. the kidney, depending on implantable pacemakers and defi brillators that offer life-saving This type of stone is not very common. 1. The urine may contain more crystal-forming the location of the stone(s). therapy for patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias and substances than the fl uid in it can dissolve. Other, rarer types of kidney stones can The stone is viewed through heart failure. It currently employs more than 900 people, also occur. the scope and can then many of whom specialise in a range of engineering disciplines 2. The urine may lack the substances that be manipulated, crushed e.g. Electrical, Mechanical, Biomedical, Material Science, prevent crystals from sticking together. by an ultrasound probe, Treatments Quality, R&D and Industrial along with other functional areas 3. In response to a urinary tract infection. evaporated by a laser probe such as Supply Chain, Human Resources, Finance, Process Most kidney stones pass on their own with or grabbed by small forceps Development, IT and Manufacturing. time, and only a small proportion need or in a basket and removed. is probably the most important surgical intervention. Boston Scientifi c Clonmel actively promotes and participates Dehydration If the stone is causing a blockage this will cause urine to back up into risk factor for kidney stone formation. The two most likely causes of in the local community through initiatives such as their The initial treatment is to give analgesics (pain killers) and the kidney where it will cause pain. More importantly it will damage dehydration are taking lots of strenuous exercise or living in a hot Schools Programme where BSC facilitates local students on signifi cantly increase the volume of water consumed. In some cases the kidney, and in severe cases can lead to the loss of the kidney. climate and not drinking enough water. Dietary factors also play a work experience and sponsors a Student of the Year Award in medication is given to increase the amount of urine produced; these In this case a stent is put in place to bypass the stone and allow the part. For example, people who take large doses of vitamin C, often local schools, culminating in an opportunity for summer work. are called diuretics. Other drugs, called alpha-blockers, relax the urine to escape before permanent damage is done. in the belief that it will prevent disease, have a 20% higher risk of BSC is actively involved in Junior Achievement activities, with muscles of the ureter allowing the stone to pass through more easily These procedures are carried out by a specialist urologist under developing stones. Eating foods rich in such as rhubarb can over 19 employees delivering programmes in the region. oxalates and with less pain. general or spinal anaesthesia. The recovery time with both these also be a contributory factor. Find out more about Boston Scientifi c at If this is not suffi cient to cause the stone(s) to pass though the ureter, methods is very short. A family history of kidney stones is also a signifi cant risk factor, www.bostonscientifi c.com to the bladder and out through the urethra then surgical techniques Some ‘home remedy’ advocates suggest that lemon juice drinks are especially in this part of the world. People with certain medical may be used. Open surgery may be required but this can cause an effective preventative and cure. It is more probably the increased conditions (e.g. gout), or those who take some medications, such prolonged pain and has a long recovery time. Nowadays the two intake of water with the lemon juice that produces the effects. Find this and other lessons on www.sta.ie as those used in chemotherapy, are also at an increased risk of most common procedures are considerably less invasive. developing stones. Kidney stones and how to remove them Kidney stones and how to remove them Kidneys Diagnosis ESWL (Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) is Pain is part of human consciousness and is an invaluable aid to Initial diagnosis is based on symptoms but this may be followed by a non-invasive treatment of survival. It tells us when something is wrong with our body. All pains , or even X-ray, ultrasound scans intravenous pyelogram (IVP) kidney stones using sound are different; back pain, toothache, bruising or headache. There are a to give a more detailed picture of the size, number and CT scan waves to break up the even phantom pains where people who have had limbs amputated location of the stones.