When substances such as calcium, phosphorus or oxalate build up in your kidneys, you are at risk for developing kidney stones. This condition causes hardened masses of minerals to come together in the kidneys, which can cause severe pain and blood in your urine. While some kidney stones are small and can pass via your urine, others are larger and may require medical intervention, such as ultrasound therapy, to break up the stones.
Conservative Measures
If your physician suspects you are experiencing symptoms associated with a kidney stone, he may first recommend utilizing conservative measures, such as taking a pain reliever and drinking more water to encourage the stone to pass. If these measures do not reduce symptoms, your physician may recommend a treatment like ultrasound therapy. If your physician does not use an intervention method, it's possible that your kidney stone can cause kidney damage, chronic urinary tract infections or bleeding.
Significance
Ultrasound therapy for kidney stones also is called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or, simply, lithotripsy. This treatment generates sound waves that cause strong vibrations inside your body, MayoClinic.com explains. The sound can stimulate shock waves that cause your kidney stone to break into smaller pieces, allowing it to pass through your urinary tract.
Qualifying Patients
Some patients are better suited for the lithotripsy procedure than others. For example, the stones must be estimated at less than half an inch; larger stones might not be effectively broken up by the sound waves, according to the online Health Guide from the "New York Times." Kidney stones that respond best to the procedure also tend to be located in the upper portion of the kidney's ureter. Patients who have been diagnosed with malformed kidneys also seem to respond well to the ultrasound therapy procedure. If your stone is larger or in a less advantageous location, your physician may recommend surgical removal.
Side Effects
The ultrasound therapy procedure for kidney stones is not without potential side effects. Generating the sound can cause a loud and potentially frightening noise. You also may experience some pain. For this reason, your physician may recommend light anesthesia or sedation to minimize side effects and increase your comfort. Following the procedure, you may experience blood in your urine, internal bleeding, pain as the smaller stone particles pass through your kidneys and skin bruising, particularly on your back or abdomen. While these should dissipate with time, talk to your physician if your symptoms do not improve.
