Poor Bladder Health

Poor bladder health can result in bladder infections.

Bladder infections are known as cystitis or inflammation of the bladder. Bladder infections are common in women but very rare in men. About 20% of all women get at least one bladder infection at some time in their lives. However, a man’s chance of getting bladder infections increases as he ages due to, in part, an increase in prostate size.

What causes bladder infections?

Most bladder infections are caused by various strains of E. coli, bacteria that normally live in the gut.

Women sometimes get bladder infections after sex. Vaginal intercourse makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder through the urethra. Some women contract bladder infections – dubbed “honeymoon cystitis” – almost every time they have sex. Women who use a diaphragm as their primary method of birth control are also particularly susceptible to bladder infections, perhaps because the device presses on the bladder and keeps it from emptying completely. Bacteria then rapidly reproduce in the stagnant urine left in the bladder.

Bladder infections can be quite uncomfortable and potentially serious. But for women, they clear up quickly and are relatively harmless if treated.

In men, bladder infections are almost always a symptom of an underlying disorder and is generally a cause for concern.

Improving bladder health to prevent future bladder infections

There are many ways to improve your bladder health. Results will vary for everyone so find what works best for you. Improving your bladder health can help prevent painful urination and embarassing urine leakage. Make an effort to strengthen your bladder muscles. Practice contracting and releasing your sphincter muscle a few times a day to decrease some of the pain and to improve your ability to urinate.

Vitamins and herbs are also a good way to improve your bladder health. Large doses of vitamin C increases both acidity and enhance the immune system. Cranberry juice is rich in vitamins that can improve kidney function and, in turn, improve bladder health. In addition, the acidity of cranberry juice helps fight off bacterias that commonly cause bladder infections. Vitamins A and E can increase oxygen supply and decrease the scarring that can occur during interstitial bladder inflammation. Garlic capsules can improve the immune system and kill bacteria in the body.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer, currently affects more than 36,000 people in the United States. Although kidney cancer was first reported in 1826, scientists have not yet conclusively determined its cause. Kidney cancer occurs in almost twice as many men as women, and most often develops after the age of 40. However, the disease has been seen in children as young as six months old.

Kidney Cancer Risks

People are at a higher risk of developing kidney cancer if they have certain characteristics called risk factors.

Family History: People with a family history of kidney cancer are nearly four times more likely to develop the disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome: VHL is a very rare illness that runs in some families. People with VHL are predisposed to develop renal (kidney) cell carcinoma, the main cause of kidney cancer. Through genetic testing, the VHL gene mutation can now be detected.

Smoking: Cigarette smoking may account for as much as one fourth of all cases and is a major risk factor for kidney cancer. This includes cigar smoking.

Obesity: Research shows that obesity may increase the chance of developing kidney cancer. Possibly the result of a poor diet.

Treatment Options
Surgery, performed by a urology surgeon, is the primary treatment for kidney cancer. The urology surgeon will decide whether it is necessary to have a full or partial nephrectomy (removal of the kidney). Although surgery is not always a cure, it is often successful in getting rid of the cancer. Doctors often use the term remission, rather than cure, because there is no guarantee the disease will not return.

The urology surgeon will decide whether to perform a standard nephrectomy, in which the kidney is removed through an incision in the back, or a Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy, in which a urology surgeon makes a small incision to insert a laparoscope, a small thin tube with a camera on the end, to view the surgical field. Then other tiny incisions are made by the urology surgeon to insert miniature surgical instruments to remove the kidney. It’s benefits, when compared to open surgery, include a shorter hospital stay, shorter recovery time and less blood loss.

Another minimally invasive surgery technique is to use either heat or cold energy to treat tumors. Performed by a urology surgeon these techniques are cryoablation, which freezes the tumor to -150 degrees Centigrade with a long, thin probe inserted into the tumor. Another option, your urology surgeon may choose to perform radiofrequency ablation which is the same concept as cryoablation except it uses heat.

Radiation therapy is reserved for kidney cancer instances where the goal of therapy is only to relieve or diminish the symptoms of the disease, because radiation is not an effective alternative to surgery. Occasionally, radiation therapy may be given after surgery if the urology surgeon could not remove all of the tumor or if the tumor regrows in the original surgical site. To reduce symptoms, radiation may also be directed to sites (such as bone or brain) where the cancer has spread. Radiation is generally not considered a curative therapy for most types of kidney cancer.

Chemotherapy is generally ineffective against kidney tumors. But in the case of a metastatic tumor, your urology surgeon may choose to perform chemotherapy along with surgery or other localized therapy.

Immunotherapy is extremely effective to renal cell carcinoma. Two types of immunotherapies are used to treat metastatic RCC. Interferon-Alpha is a protein produced by white blood cells in response to a viral infection. It increases antigens on the surface of cancer cells, making them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. The other option is Interleukin-2 which is a protein that stimulates the growth of immune cells and activates them to destroy tumor cells.

Bladder Surgery

Bladder surgery is a treatment option for patients suffering from bladder cancer or incontinence. Tumors can put pressure on the urethra and prevent urine flow. Bladder surgery helps remove cancerous tissue and restore bladder health in cancer patients. Bladder surgery can also help restore normal urinary functions.

There are four major options for bladder surgery: retropubic suspension, urethral sling procedure, removing bladder stones, and artificial urinary sphincter.

Retropubic suspension
Retropubic suspension is a bladder surgery used to treat women with incontinence by lifting the sagging bladder and urethra. These structures have dropped abnormally low in the pelvic area and need to be returned to their normal position. An incision is made into the abdomen to access the bladder and lift it off the urethra. A catheter is placed into the bladder through the urethra to aid urine drainage.

Urethral sling procedure.

The urethral sling procedure is another bladder surgery option for women. A sling is placed around the urethra to return it to its natural position. The sling also adds pressure to prevent accidental urine leakage. It is attached to the abdominal wall and is made of either synthetic material or organic tissue. A plastic sling is compatible with the body and will be absorbed and disintegrate eventually. Patients undergoing the sling procedure share the same recovery period and similar complications as patients treated with retropubic suspension. In addition, obese patients have a higher risk of stitches pulling free. Also, a synthetic sling may irritate the urethra or vagina and cause sexual dysfunction.

Bladder stones

Bladder stones are smell masses of minerals that form in your bladder.Bladder stones develop when urine in your bladder becomes cocncetrated causing minerals in your bladder. Some bladder stones can block the flow of urine and will need to be removed. Small bladder stones may pass on their own, but some bladder stones are more common in men. A telescopic tube called a cystoscope is inserted through your urethra and into the bladder to view the bladder stones. Bladder stones are crushed by ultrasonic waves, hammering, or electrohydraulic sparks and removed through the cystoscope. Occasionally, you may need bladder surgery to remove bladder stones that are large or too hard to fragment are removed through open surgery. In cases of unusually large bladder stones or enlarged prostate, a procedure called suprapubic cystostomy is performed to create a connection from the bladder to the skin to bypass the urine blockage. A catheter is placed through the connection to drain the urine. The catheter needs to be replaced every 4-10 weeks. A bag outside the body collects the urine. Bleeding and infection are possible complications.

Artificial urinary sphincters

Another bladder surgery is artificial urinary sphincter implants. It restores normal urinary function to patients with weakened sphincter muscles. Involuntary urine leakage occurs when the sphincter is too weak to hold urine in the body. The artificial sphincter is composed of three parts: an inflatable cuff that applies pressure on the urethra to hold back urine, a balloon that controls the pressure applied by the cuff, and a control pump that inflates and deflates the cuff by regulating the flow of fluid between the cuff and balloon. An incision is made in the scrotum, labia, or lower belly to insert the device. The balloon sits under the belly muscles. The pump is placed either in the scrotum in men or underneath the skin of the lower belly or leg of women. Patients risk bleeding and the deterioration of surrounding tissues due to constant mechanical manipulation of the device.

Frequent Urination

Do you have to “go” all the time? The technical name for your problem is frequent urination. In most people the bladder is able to store urine until it is convenient to go to the toilet, typically four to eight times a day. Needing to go more than eight times a day or waking up in the night to go to the bathroom could mean you’re drinking too much and/or too close to bedtime. Or it could signal a health problem.

Frequent urination can be bladder symptoms of many different problems. When frequent urination is accompanied by fever, an urgent need to urinate, and pain or discomfort in the abdomen, you may have a urinary tract infection. Other possible causes of frequent urination include:

1) Diabetes – Bladder symptoms of diabetes includes frequent urination. This is often an early symptom of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as the body tries to rid itself of unused glucose through the urine.
2) Pregnancy – From the early weeks of pregnancy the growing uterus places pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination.
3) Prostate problems -  An enlarged prostate can press against the urethra (the tube that carries urine out the body) and block the flow of urine. This causes the bladder wall to become irritated. Bladder symptoms includes urgent and frequent urination even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination.
4) Diuretic use – These medications that are used to treat high blood pressure or fluid buildup work in the kidney and flush excess fluid from the body, causing frequent urination, which can just be one of many bladder symptoms related to diuretic use.
5) Stroke or other neurological diseases – Damage to nerves that supply the bladder can lead to problematic bladder symptoms, including frequent  urination.

Often frequent urination is not a symptom of a problem, but is the problem. In people with overactive bladder syndrome, involuntary bladder contractions lead to urgent and frequent urination, meaning you have to get to a bathroom immediately, even if your bladder is not full. It may also lead you to wake up once or more during the night to use the bathroom.

To diagnose the cause of frequent urination, your doctor will perform a physical examination and take a medical history, asking questions such as the following:
Are you taking any medications?
Are you experiencing other bladder symptoms?
Do you have the problem only during the day or also at night?
Are you drinking more than usual?
Is your urine darker or lighter than usual?
Do you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages?

Treatment for frequent urination will address the underlying problem that is causing it. For example, if diabetes is the cause, treatment will involve keeping blood sugar levelsunder control; treatment for overactive bladder may include drugs such as Detrol LA and Vesircare

There are also many things you can do on your own to reduce bladder symptoms such as frequent urination. They include:

1) Bladder retraining – This involves increasing the intervals between using the bathroom over the course of about 12 weeks. This helps retrain your bladder to hold urine longer and to urinate less frequently.
2) Kegel exercises – These exercises help strengthen the muscles around the bladder and urethra to reduce negative bladder symptoms and reduce urinary urgency and frequency. Exercising pelvic muscles for five minutes three times a day can make a difference in bladder symptoms.
3) Diet modification – You should avoid any food that appears to irritate your negative bladder symptoms or acts as a diuretic. These may include alcohol, carbonated drinks, tomato-based products, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and spicy foods.
4) Monitoring fluid intake – You should drink enough to prevent constipation and over-concentration of urine, but you should avoid drinking just before bedtime, which can lead to nighttime urination.

Vasectomy Procedure

A vasectomy is a urologic surgery in which the vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed. This prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. Although the testicles continue to produce sperm, but the sperm are reabsorbed by the body. Because the tubes are blocked before the seminal vesicles and prosate, you will still ejaculate about the same amount of semenal fluids. There is no major risk to urologic health from getting this surgery.

It usually takes several months after a vasectomy for all remaining sperm to be ejaclated or reabsorbed. You must use another method of birth control until you have a semen sample tested and it shows a zero sperm count. Otherwise, you may still get your partner pregnant.

During a vasectomy:
1) Your testicles and scrotum are cleaned with an antiseptic and may need to be shaved.
2) You may given an oral or intravenous medicine to reduce anxiety and make you sleepy. If you do take this medicine, you may not remember very much about the procedure.
3) Each vas deferens is located by touch.
4) A local anesthetic is injected into the area.
5) Your doctor makes one or two small openings in your scrotum. Through an opening, the two vas deferens tubes are cut. The two ends are either tied, stitched, or sealed. Electrocautery may be used to seal the ends using heat. Scar tissue helps block the tubes.

The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes and can be done in an office or clinic. It can be performed by a urologic surgeon, a general surgeon, or a primary care physician. However, it is recommended to see a urologic surgeon, simple because, generally, they will have had much more experience in performing a vasectomy

Another form of vasectomy is ‘no-scalpel vasectomy’ a urologic technique that uses a small clamp with pointed ends. Instead of using  scalpel to cut the skin, the clamp is poked through the skin of the scrotum and then opened. The benefits of no-scapel vasectomy includes less bleeding, a smaller hole in the skin, and fewer urologic complications post-surgery. No-scalpel vasectomy is as effective as the traditional form.

Yet another form of vasectomy is the Vasclip implant procedure. In this procedure, the vas deferens is locked closed with a device called a Vasclip. The vas deferens is not cut, sutured, or cauterized in any way which reduces the potential for pain. However, some studie show that vas deferens clamping may not be as effective as more traditional methods.

A vasectomy is a very effective birth control method. Only 1 to 2 women out of 1,000 (99.85% effective) will have an unplanned pregnancy in the firs tyear after their partners have had a vasectomy. The thought of any kind of urological surgery may seem intimidating, but the risks are minimal. Complications from undergoing this urologic surgery may include bleeding under the skin, infection of the incision, rarely an infection will occur inside the scrotum, sperm leakage from the vas deferens into the tissue around it, and very rarely, the vas deferens will grow back together (recanalization) and the man becomes fertile again.

Vasectomy Reversal

A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control. However, vasectomy reversal can now reconnect the vas deferens tubes. Vasectomy reversal is usually an outpatient procedure meaning there is, generally, no overnight stay in the hospital.

However, there are limitations to vasectomy reversal. In many cases, the vas deferens is reattached, but fertility is not achieved. There are several reasons for this, including blockage in the vas deferens, and the presence of autoantibodies that disrupt normal sperm activity.

Return of sperm to the ejaculate ranges from roughly 30 to 90 percent, and depends greatly on the length of time from the vasectomy. Generally, according to urologists, the shorter the interval between vasectomy and vasectomy reversal the greater the chance of a successful reversal. It is important to remember that over half the men who have undergone vasectomy develop anti-sperm antibodies.  Only two conditions must be satisfied for sperm to be returned to a patients’ semen with vasectomy reversal by vasovasostomy (reconnecting the vas deferens). The patient must have sperm available to pass through at least one reconnection . The second condition is that the reconnection must be as watertight as possible.

There are two types of vasectomy reversal, typically performed by urologists, the first is a vasovasostomy. With a vasovasostomy, the urologists sew the ends of the vas deferens back together. However, sometimes this type of vasectomy reversal isn’t possible and a more complex surgery is needed to resore the flow of sperm. Urologists can perform a Vasoepididymostomy, considered one of the most technically challenging operations for urologists. This vasectomy reversal procedure requires anatomists of a single epididymal tubule (diameter of about .15-.25mm) to the lumen of the vas deferens (.30 – .40mm) and is reserved for patients with congenital or acquired epididymal obstruction and patients who have failed previous attempts at reconnecting the vas deferens.  This surgery attaches the vas deferens directly to the epididymis, the coiled tube on the back of each testicle where sperm matures. A vasectomy can cause blockages or a break in the vas deferens or the epididymis. This surgery is used by urologists when a vasovasostomy won’t work because sperm flow is blocked. Urologists will reconnect the vas deferens to the epididymis above the point of blockage.

Local urologists can easily determine whether you have 0, 1, or 2 sperm granuloma by a painless examination of each vasectomy site. This exam can be fairly inexpensive, if you inform the urologists office in advance that this is the only service you wish and you obtain the cost for only this specific examination. According to urologists, A sperm granuloma develops from post-vasectomy sperm leakage and somehow it behaves like a safety valve preventing internal pressure build up and ruptures of the delicate epididymis tubules with subsequent obstructive scarring

Between 4 and 6% of vasectomized men consider a vasectomy reversal. Approximately 60% of men consider vasectomy reversal because of remarriage. There are many other reasons that include family planning and the desire to maintain fertility for the future.
Vasectomy reversal can be effective regardless of how long it’s been since the original vasectomy. However, according to urologists, if more than 15 years have passed since the original vasectomy, you may have a lower chance of having enough healthy sperm in your semen to father a child.

Bladder Diagnosed

An overactive bladder is a type of bladder-control problem that affects more than 33 million Americans of all ages. It occurs when the detrusor muscle of the bladder contracts more often than necessary, even when the bladder is not full. This constant contraction causes sudden, overwhelming urges to urinate. The first step toward relief is to see a doctor of urology who is well acquainted with the overactive bladder.

A urology specialist specializes in the urinary tract, and some urologists further specialize in the female reproductive tract and childbirth.
To get a diagnosis of overactive bladder, your urology specialist starts with a complete health history to learn about other urinary conditions you’ve had in the past and when the problem started. Questions your urology specialist may ask about your overactive bladder include:

How often do you urinate?
How often do you leak urine, and how severely?
Do you feel any pain or discomfort while urinating?
For how long has the urge or urinary incontinence been occurring?
What medications are you taking? Have you had any recent surgery or illnesses?
Keeping a voiding diary at home can help you answer these questions and help with an overactive bladder diagnosis. Each day, write down how much you drink, when you urinate, how much you urinate each time, and whether you ever feel an urgent need to go.

Your urology specialist will then examine your abdomen, pelvis, genitals and rectum. You might also be given a neurological exam to look for problems in your nervous system that could affect your ability to urinate.

There are also a number of tests that may be performed to diagnose overactive bladder, including:

Urinalysis or urine sample
Bladder stress test and/or Bonney test to find out if you are leaking urine
Cystoscopy to look for cysts and growths in the bladder
Voiding cystourethrogram to identify structural problems in the bladder and urethra

These tests can help diagnose whether your overactive bladder condition has something to do with an infection or other illness, a blockage or poorly functioning bladder muscles. Knowing the cause of your overactive bladder can help your urology specialist to decide on the right treatment for you.

There are many options for the treatment of an overactive bladder:

Urology experts often recommend that overactive bladder patients limit their intake of caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder.

Medication is prescribed either in conjunction with behavior modification or after behavior modification has been tried unsuccessfully.

The drugs most commonly prescribed by doctors to treat overactive bladder are Detrol-LA and Ditropan-XL. These drugs, also known as anticholinergic drugs or antispasmodics, prevent involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle by relaxing and stabilizing the muscle. Another medication called Tofranil, most often used for depression, can also help by calming the bladder.

Some people do not benefit from or cannot tolerate behavior modification or medications. For these people, sacral nerve stimulation with Intersim function, and sends electrical pulses to the sacral nerve. The sacral nerve affects bladder control muscles, and stimulation of this nerve can help improve an overactive bladder. After the device is implanted, it can run for five to 10 years.

Renal Failure

Renal failure, or kidney failure, is a situation in which kidneys cease to function adequately. It is divided into acute or chronic renal failure. Either form can be caused by a large number of other medical problems.
Renal failure, or kidney failure, can typically be detected by an elevated serum creatinine. When the kidneys malfunction, problems frequently encountered are abnormal fluid levels in the body, irregular acid levels, abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, and humaturia (blood in urine). Long-term kidney problems have significant repercussions on other disease, such as cardiovascular disease.

The two categories of renal failure are broadly defined as either acute renal failure or chronic renal failure.

Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure is a rapidly progressive loss of renal function, generally, characterized by decreased urine production, body water and body fluid disturbances, and an electrolyte derangement. An underlying cause must be identified to arrest the progress, and dialysis may be necessary to bridge the time gap required to treat these fundamental causes.

Chronic kidney failure

Chronic kidney failure, also known as chronic kidney disease or chronic renal disease, is a progressive loss of renal function over a period of month or years. The symptoms of worsening kidney function might include feelings of general feeling of unwell, reduced appetite, and can be identified by a blood test for creatinine. Chronic kidney failure is difficult to detect and can only be detected as an increase in serum creatinine or protein in the urine. As kidney functions gradually decrease blood pressure is increased due to fluid overload, increasing the risk for hypertension or heart failure. Other symptoms are: Urea excretions through the skin, potassium accumulation in the blood, anemia, and a heightened risk of cardiovascular failure.

Common causes of kidney failure

The most common causes of kidney failure, or renal failure, are diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis. Together these cause account for almost 75% of all renal failure (kidney failure).

Treatment options for renal failure (kidney failure)

The goal of treatment is to slow down or halt the progression of chronic kidney failure. The goal is to reduce further deterioration of the glomerular filtration rate, an accurate measure of kidney failure. Controlling your blood pressure is another common treatment for renal failure. If treatment fails and the chronic kidney failure reaches stage 5 the only possible treatment is completely renal replacement therapy (kidney transplant).

Pediatric Urologist

Pediatric urology is the diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired urological conditions and diseases in children. A pediatric urologist treat urological conditions of the male reproductive system, such as an undescended testicle, and the male and female urinary tracts of children. The most common urological condition a pediatric urologist treats is urinary tract infection.

There are unique challenges a pediatric urologist faces because they care for children. Children are someonetimes unwilling to say what is bothering them. They may not always answer medical questions and are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a urological examination. A pediatric urologist should know how to examine and treat children in a way that they feel cooperative and relaxed. In addition, a pediatric urologist conducting urological examinations on children often use equipment specially designed for children.

A pediatric urologist generally providea the following urological services: Evaluation and management of voiding disorders, vesicoureteral reflux, and urinary tract infections that require surgery. They also carry out surgical reconstruction of the urinary tract, genital abnormalities, hypospadias, and intersex conditions.

The following are factors to consider when searching for the right pediatric urologist for your child.

1) Academic history – It is useful to know the specialty and subspecialty of a pediatric urologist

2) Board certification and continuing education – A pediatric urologist who is board-certified has taken several extra years of specialty training and passed a rigorous board examination. Continuing education is crucial in the field of medicine as information is constantly changing and going out-of-date.

3) Hospital Affiliations – Information about a doctor’s hospital affiliations will tell you if the pediatric urologist has privileges at a particular hospital and also serves to attest to his credentials. It is recommended that your primary care doctor have privileges where your surgeon does so that the primary doctor can manage your general care following a surgical admission.

The following details are AMA recommended questions to ask when selecting a doctor.

1) Inquire about the doctors’ ofice hours
2) Inquire about availability in an emergency, or a back-up physician
3) Ask the number of patients booked per hour
4) Ask if you can choose the specialist you wish to see
5) Assess your general rapport with the doctor during an interview with him
6) In selecting a surgeon find out how many times a year he performs a particular operation, then compare to national standards
7) It is possible to find out whether a doctor has been fined or had his license revoked or suspended from the State Board of Medicine. The county courthouse can also direct you towards malpractice suits.
Remeber, much information is available about doctors, both positive and negative, and it is our personal responsibility to retrieve it with our own well-being in mind.

Also keep the following in mind:

1) If at any time you feel less than confident in your urological pediatrician, it is time to leave.

2) A lack of continuity between visits, if your child has a chronic illness that you have to keep reminding your urological pediatrician about, it may be a sign they aren’t taking enough interest in your situation.

Kidney Stones

Anyone who has ever endured kidney stones will tell you exactly how painful this condition can be. In fact, the pain of kidney stones are commonly compared to childbirth.

Here are the most common symptoms and warning signs of a kidney stones:

1. Medical history and gender.
Although women are just as likely to develop kidney problems, the majority of kidney stones victims are men. Researchers believe that a family history of kidney disease are significantly more likely to suffer from kidney stones. Check out for any family medical history that may indicate a predisposition from kidney disease. Therefore, it is imperative that you take preventive action, such as lowering your intake of sugared or caffeinated beverages and always keeping well hydrated.

2. The development of dull, toothache-like, pain originating in the lower back or pelvis.
This may be your first sign that something very serious is developing. The level of pain may be continuous or periodic. It will rarely disappear entirely. After several days of feeling this symptom, the pain will most likely increase in degree and be more definite in its location. Some victims feel a tension in the kidney area, as if urine were trying to pass a blockage. You may even feel a light ‘squirting’ sensation as fluids try to get past the blockage. Even if the pain is tolerable, you are probably developing kidney stones, or another kidney disease, and should see a doctor immediately.

3. Fever, disorientation, and a change in attitude for the worst
Kidney disease or kidney stones often can cloud your thought process and your energy level may drop dramatically. You will experience the nausea and grogginess you might associate with a serious cold.

4. Signs of blood in urine or unusually colored urine.
If you can, observe any urine you secrete during this time of distress. You may be able to see actual traces of blood or the urine itself will be an unusual color. Any blood in the urine should be an immediate red flag. In addition, if you have any dark-colored urine accompanied by sharp pains in the abdomen or kidneys you should seek medical help immediately. Less severe symptoms may be the result of dehydration and can sometimes be resolved by drinking lots of water or cranberry juice.

5. Sharp, stabbing pains concentrated on side of the lower back. If you start feeling sudden and severe pains that feel as if your abdominal area were being cut open from the inside. These are common symptoms of kidney stones or kidney disease.

So what should you expect from a course of treatment? Your first day in the hospital for kidney stones will consist of several urine tests and x-rays. The urine tests will confirm the presence of blood in your urine. You will more than likely be put on intravenous fluids to restore your hydration levels. After a day or two of bed rest, your doctor will recommend several courses of action. Many kidney stones are eliminated naturally, following a few days of increased fluid intake, however, they can also pass when you urinate, and in extreme cases the stone is removed using a catheter placed in the urethra.

If all goes well, after you pass the kidney stones and have concluded you have no other kidney disease you should be well back to normal within a week’s time. You should avoid sugary or caffeinated traffic and reduce your calcium intake tonight. You must remember to take more clear liquids and avoid activity that could cause a repeat attack.