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Belleville, NJ—Kidney stones are one of the
most common and painful disorders of the urinary tract. That is
why Clara Maass Medical Center now offers Lithotripsy, a procedure
that helps relieve those suffering from kidney stones.
Lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up stones found in the kidney,
bladder or ureter, into smaller pieces, making them easier to pass
through urination.
It is used to remove stones that cause pain, urinary tract infections,
bleeding and/or harm to your kidneys. The procedure only takes
45 minutes to an hour, and most patients are able to return home
after a few hours.
“The success of this treatment depends on a few factors
including the number of stones an individual has, the size of the
stones and their location in the body,” said Patrick Ciccone,
MD, Director of Urology at Clara Maass Medical Center. “Lithotripsy
has shown a high success rate in completely removing the stones.”
According to the National Kidney Foundation, kidney stones affect
more than one million Americans each year. Seventy to 90 percent
of patients who are candidates for lithotripsy, are free of stones
within three months of treatment. Patients with mobile stones located
in the upper portions of the urinary tract (kidney and upper ureter)
have the highest success rate with lithotripsy.
A kidney stone is a solid deposit that develops from crystals
that separate from urine and build up on the walls of kidney. The
stone could stay in the kidney, or it could break loose and travel
down the urinary tract. Some stones may be as small as a grain
of sand and can pass without the individual knowing. However, some
are larger and jagged and may become stuck in the bladder or ureter,
blocking urine flow and causing pain. These are the type of stones
that require medical attention.
Some symptoms of kidney stones include incessant sharp pain in
the back or side, bloody or cloudy urine, nausea and vomiting,
frequent urination, fever and chills, and a burning sensation during
urination. Those resenting symptoms should contact their doctor
immediately.
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Foundation,
a few ways to prevent kidney stones are to drink more water (up
to 12 glasses a day); limit your intake of coffee, tea and cola
to one or two cups a day; and consult your doctor about any necessary
diet modifications and medications.
For more information about lithotripsy or kidney stones, please
call Clara Maass Medical Center at 1.888.SBHS.123.
Clara Maass Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas
Health Care System, provides a complete continuum of care to
residents of northern New Jersey. Clara Maass Centers of
medical excellence include the Women’s Health Center, Nuclear
Medicine, The Cancer Center at Clara Maass, Diagnostic Cardiac
Services including Cardiac Catheterization, Emergency Angioplasty
and Rehabilitation, The Pain Management Center, The Joint & Spine
Institute, a Vascular Center, Same Day Surgery, The Wound Center
at Clara Maass, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The Bariatric
Center at Clara Maass, Rehabilitation Services, Maternity Services
and Parent Education, as well as Pediatrics. For a physician
referral or more information about Clara Maass, call 1-888-SBHS-123
or visit www.saintbarnabas.com.
Date: June 23, 2009
Contact: Cathy Toscano
973-450-2996
ctoscano@sbhcs.com
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