In an effort to better serve our patients, Colorado Springs Urological Associates, PLLC has partnered with Urological Associates and Pikes Peak Urology. We are confident that the union of three patient-centric, top-rated urological practices will greatly benefit the residents of Colorado Springs and the surrounding area. Urological Associates is a premier urology practice in Colorado Springs led by board-certified urologists and nurse practitioners. Pikes Peak Urology, a division of Colorado Springs Urological Associates, has lived up to their motto of “prompt, caring, and compassionate” since 1989.
Our board-certified urologists consistently deliver positive patient experiences and excellent clinical outcomes for a wide spectrum of male and female urologic conditions. If you’re in need of compassionate, urological expertise from board-certified specialists, look no further than Colorado Springs Urological Associates, PLLC.
If your kidney stone pain has led you to search ‘kidney stone specialist near me’, rest assured that you are not alone. An acute kidney stone can be one of the most painful experiences of a person’s life, and they affect up to 10% of people in the United States. If you are experiencing dull to severe back pain, urinating more often, and have cloudy or discolored urine, you may have a kidney stone. This condition is especially common in the high-altitude Colorado Springs region due to the increased risk of dehydration. The board-certified urologists at Colorado Springs Urological Associates, PLLC have decades of clinical experience diagnosing and treating kidney stones. Speak with one of our experts today to receive a full evaluation and diagnosis.
There are four types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine. All kidney stones are hard formations made from chemicals in the urine. Once a kidney stone has formed, it can either stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract and into the ureter. Occasionally, a kidney stone can pass through the body during urination without causing excess pain. However, kidney stones that do not travel can cause a back-up of urine and be extremely painful.
Our dedicated team is proud to offer a number of cutting-edge treatments for kidney stones, including:
You may not even notice you have a kidney stone unless it moves into the tube connecting your bladder and kidneys. However, if that happens, you can expect to experience the following symptoms:
Although kidney stones have no singular cause that we know of, there are a number of factors that can increase your risk:
The treatment options for treating kidney stones vary based on the severity of the symptoms. If you are only experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, most often you will be advised to drink plenty of water and take pain relievers or other medication to ease your pain until the stone passes. However, the following are optional treatments for larger, more painful stones:
Sound Waves: Depending on the size, type and location of your kidney stones, our doctors might be able to use sound waves to break them up. This procedure is more formally called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). ESWL is performed under light anesthesia or sedation, and lasts from 45 to 60 minutes.
Surgery: Another option to treat large kidney stones is percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery. This involves the removal of stones via instruments through a small incision in your back, using a telescope as a guide. You can expect to spend one to two days recovering in the hospital after this procedure.
Scope: Your doctor might opt to insert a thin tube called a ureteroscope into your kidney or ureter to either remove the stones or break them up so they are easier to pass.
If you suspect that you have a kidney stone, see a physician at Colorado Springs Urological Associates as soon as possible. We may ask you to drink extra water to try to flush out the stone, and/or use a strainer to catch the stone the next time you urinate. If you are able to catch the stone, save it and bring it in with you to your appointment.