Kidney Stones Specialist
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RJM Medical Services
Jose M Rodriguez, MD
Urology located in Jackson Heights, NY
Kidney stones are steadily growing more common in American adults, which makes it more important than ever for you to know the symptoms and seek help fast when you’re suffering. The compassionate urology specialist at RJM Medical Services, Jose Rodriguez, MD, offers diagnosis, treatment, and kidney stone prevention to give you prompt relief and keep you healthy. Call the Jackson Heights, New York, office or click the online scheduler to get help now.
Kidney Stones Q & A
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are solid masses of calcium, struvite, cystine, or uric acids that form within your kidneys. They can range in size from a grain of sand to as big as the whole kidney. Kidney stones are very common, and often incredibly painful, a problem for both men and women. As many as 8.8% of Americans suffer from kidney stones.
What are the signs I have a kidney stone?
Kidney stones often don’t cause symptoms when they’re still in your kidneys. But when they pass into the ureter, the tube that carries urine to your bladder, you might experience:
- Severe pain in your side
- Severe pain in your back
- Pain when you urinate
- Dark, bloody, or cloudy urine
- Smelly urine
- Frequent urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills
- Fever
If you suspect kidney stones, don’t wait to get help. Dr. Rodriguez can diagnose your kidney stones and recommend the most effective solution for fast symptom relief.
What are the treatment options for kidney stones?
Kidney stone treatment varies according to the symptoms you're having, the size of the stones, and whether your stones cause complications like blocked urine flow. Treatment may include:
Waiting it out
If you have a small kidney stone and it's not causing you major discomfort, Dr. Rodriguez may recommend the watch-and-wait option. Many small kidney stones pass naturally in time, especially if you increase your water intake and follow other specific instructions from Dr. Rodriguez. He may also prescribe medication to help your ureters open wider to let the stone pass.
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
In shockwave lithotripsy, Dr. Rodriguez uses a specialized device that sends ultrasonic energy shocks into the stone. This cracks the stone into many tiny pieces, which are then small enough for you to pass through normal urination.
Ureteroscopy
In a ureteroscopy, Dr. Rodriguez places a tiny flexible tube with a miniature camera through your urethra while you're under local anesthesia. He moves the stone so it can pass through your ureter or breaks it up with a laser if needed.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
A percutaneous nephrolithotomy is generally reserved for severe large kidney stones that aren't treatable with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy. In this procedure, Dr. Rodriguez removes the stone through a small incision in your back.
Dr. Rodriguez focuses on using the simplest, most effective option to get you out of pain fast.
Stop the kidney stone suffering now by calling RJM Medical Services or booking online today.
