Kidney Stones Specialist
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W. Cooper Buschemeyer III, MD
Board Certified Urologist located in The Woodlands, Conroe, Willis, TX
Kidney stones affect 10% of adults at some point in their lifetime. And after you have your first bout, you have a much higher risk of suffering through more kidney stones in the future. As a specialist in kidney stone management, W. Cooper Buschemeyer III, MD, has extensive experience removing kidney stones and teaching you how to prevent problems. When you’re caught in the pain of kidney stones, you need quick relief. That’s why Dr. Buschemeyer III offers same-day kidney stone treatment. Call the office in Conroe or The Woodlands, Texas, or book an appointment online today.
Kidney Stones Q & A
What causes kidney stones?
Though your urine is primarily water, it also contains dissolved substances such as calcium, potassium, salt, and uric acid. When your urine is concentrated, it has too little water and a higher than normal amount of dissolved solids. That’s when they can crystalize and turn into kidney stones.
The type of kidney stone you have is based on the substances it contains. Calcium oxalate stones (a combination of calcium and oxalate) are the most common type. Calcium phosphate stones and uric acid stones are also common.
What symptoms develop if I have kidney stones?
Symptoms typically begin when the stones move around inside your kidneys or leave the kidneys and enter the ureters, which are the tubes that take urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
Even small kidney stones can cause excruciating pain as they travel through the ureters, causing symptoms such as:
- Sharp pain in the back and side (just below the ribs)
- Pain that radiates to the abdomen or groin
- Pain that comes and goes in waves
- Blood in urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Urinary frequency
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Urinating in small amounts
If the stone is large, it can prevent urine from leaving the kidney or block urine flow through the ureter. When that happens, your kidney can become inflamed and infected.
How are kidney stones treated?
Dr. Buschemeyer III offers comprehensive treatments for kidney stones, which begins with a physical exam, diagnostic imaging, a urinalysis, and blood work. These tests show the size and location of your stone and if you have an infection.
Using this information, he can decide whether to let the stone pass naturally or recommend a kidney stone removal procedure. As part of your treatment, you may receive one or more of the following:
Medication
If your stone is small enough to travel through your urinary tract, you may still need medication to manage the pain or relax your urethral muscles. Uric acid stones are the only type that medications can treat, effectively dissolving the stone. Dr. Buschemeyer III may also prescribe medications that help prevent future kidney stones.
Kidney stone removal
Dr. Buschemeyer III has extensive experience performing several procedures to remove kidney stones, including extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a surgical procedure that Dr. Buschemeyer III can use to remove large or irregularly shaped kidney stones.
Kidney stone prevention
After your first kidney stone, you have a 50% chance of having another stone within five years. In most cases, you have the same type of stone. Dr. Buschemeyer III teaches you how to make lifestyle changes to significantly lower your risk of future stones.
Don’t wait to seek treatment for kidney stones. Call W. Cooper Buschemeyer III, MD, or book an appointment online so you can get relief from your pain.