The Ochsner Renal Stone Team of nephrologists, urologists and research chemists treats patients who experience recurrent kidney stones. The team’s tests use seed crystals to measure the patient’s natural ability to keep urine stones from forming. The patients best suited for this type of evaluation are those with active or long-standing kidney stone disease. Once the patient is evaluated, long-term monitoring and treatment programs are established. Continuing research has proven the effectiveness of this treatment.
Kidney Stones Clinic
Ochsner can specifically treat patients with active, long-standing kidney stone disease. These are usually people who have metabolic problems and need monitoring, lifestyle recommendations and possible medications to prevent further stone formation.
By closely monitoring patient progress and offering effective treatments, recurring kidney stone conditions can be successfully managed. Ochsner can also offer that successful management along with the educational and preventive services to improve patient lifestyles.
What are kidney stones?
A kidney stone normally begins as a tiny speck of solid material deposited in the middle of one or both kidneys, wherein urine collects before leaving the body. As more material clings to the first speck, it gradually builds into a solid object. Certain chemicals, such as excessive amounts of calcium, can form small calcifications, or “stones,” in the kidneys, which can cause severe pain and lead to possible kidney failure.
Kidneys are among several organs in the body where stones can form and there are multiple causes for kidney stones. Kidney stone types typically fall into two categories: calcium-related kidney stones and non-calcium-related kidney stones.
Calcium-related kidney stones are the most common form of stones and are sometimes the result of a genetic trait which causes a person to over-absorb calcium from their diet or to leak calcium into the urine. Another common cause of calcium stone formation is decreased excretion of citrate, a natural stone inhibitor. Genetic alterations in Tamm-Horsfall protein – another natural stone inhibitor – can cause stone formation. An excess amount of oxalates or uric acid in the body can also contribute to the forming of calcium kidney stones.
Non-calcium kidney stones are less common and are usually linked to other inherited factors or repeated kidney infections.
States in the southern U.S. comprise what is known as “The Stone Belt,” a region where kidney stones occur at a higher rate than other areas in the country. A combination of the South’s hot weather and high-salt diet are big factors in this designation. Heat makes people sweat water and creates a higher concentration of stone-causing chemicals in the urine. Additionally, a high-salt diet also leads to stone disease because a high level of sodium in the urine is usually accompanied by a high level of calcium. That extra calcium can greatly increase the risk of stone formation.
Evaluation
Ochsner Nephrology – made up of nephrologists (kidney specialists), urologists and research chemists – treats patients who experience recurring kidney stone problems. The clinic evaluates people in a non-hospital setting who have had more than one kidney stone and require metabolic evaluation and treatment of the abnormality in their urine which causes this problem.
The metabolic evaluation at Ochsner consists of measuring the actual time (in minutes) that it takes for a person to form a stone. This is accomplished in a laboratory by combining the patient’s urine with a seed crystal and measuring the actual time that it takes for the urine to “build” a stone around the seed crystal. A patient’s 24-hour urine is likewise analyzed for chemical contents, such as calcium, uric acid, oxalates and citrates.
Ochsner physicians evaluate the actual number and size of stones presented by utilizing x-rays or ultrasounds of the kidneys. A small amount of blood is drawn to evaluate the levels of calcium, uric acids and magnesium in the blood. Finally, a urinalysis is then performed in order to evaluate any evidence of infection which is another cause of stone disease.
