Our “Gem” Stones

We have encountered many people looking for advice and help in treating kidney stone disease. Unfortunately, many people form, or have the ability to form, stones in their internal organs. Instead of praising the plethora of achievements of modern urology in the treatment of kidney stones, we will try to answer two questions that are seemingly simple, but very important to many “stone producers.”

The most common and expected question from many people is: “Doctor, my sonogram (or CT scan) showed a small stone in one of my kidneys. It does not bother me at all. Do I need any treatment?” 

In order to give a professional answer to this question, we will furnish the latest data from the latest International Urology Congress in Chicago.  An extensive, competently conducted study at Minnesota State University followed three hundred patients with asymptomatic kidney stones under scrupulous observation for approximately 3 to 5 years. Seventy-seven percent of this group experienced kidney colic, the necessity of a surgery, or an increase of the stone size, which were considered as aggravation of the condition. Surprisingly, the “silent” stones are frequently a cause of chronic urinary tract infections and kidney function deterioration. 

Scared? Well, let's move on to question number two: “How can the risk of stone formation in "active" patients be decreased?” A computerized study of a patient’s kidney stone’s composition, in conjunction with corresponding blood and urine tests, a correctly chosen diet, complemented at times with necessary pharmaceutical preparations, allows for a major reduction of the risk of stone formation in the majority of patients. A recent study, also brought from the Chicago Congress, demonstrated that 56 subjects in the study had experienced, before the beginning of the "active" preventive measures, 207 episodes of kidney colic, which calculates into four stones per patient. Consequently, in the process of treatment, this number was reduced 9 times. I hope this information will help some of our readers feel more optimistic.

 So, our dear “stone producers,” do not be afraid: we will be able to help you with not only getting rid of pain, but also with preventing it. 

Dr. Yuly Chalik

New York Urologic Institute

1664 East 14th St., Ste. 101

Brooklyn, NY 11229

2071 Clove Rd.

Staten Island, NY 10304

(718) 375-2100