Kidney Stones Specialist

Alex Lesani, MD Our Services Kidney Stones

Alex Lesani, MD

Robotic Surgeon located in Las Vegas, NV

As anyone who’s experienced them will attest, kidney stones can completely sideline any plans you’ve made until they’ve made their way out of your body. Though they’re usually nothing more than a temporary nuisance, larger stones can require medical attention, even surgery. And should surgery be required, you want the best minimally invasive care available in Southern Nevada. You’ll receive just that from urologist Alex Lesani, MD. As the only fellowship trained minimally invasive surgical urologist in the area, it should come as no surprise that he’s also the busiest. To get treatment for your kidney stones, trust the experience and high patient satisfaction Dr. Lesani provides in Las Vegas. Call today to schedule your consultation or book an appointment online.

Kidney Stones Q & A

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are small, hardened deposits of minerals and salts that form within your kidneys. When these minerals don’t pass through the urinary tract as usual, they can stick together and crystallize, forming kidney stones.

Kidney stones are classified into categories:

Calcium Stones

Roughly 80% of kidney stones are made of calcium, which form when you have too much calcium in your urine.

Uric Acid Stones

Between 5-10% of kidney stones are made of uric acid crystals, a waste product that has difficulty dissolving in more acidic urine.

Struvite Stones

Also known as infection stones, roughly 10% of kidney stones are made of magnesium ammonium phosphate. They’re often caused by urinary tract infections.

Cystine Stones

The rarest type of kidney stone, cystic stones make up 1% of kidney stone cases and typically result from metabolic disorders that make it difficult for your kidney to absorb the amino acid cystine.

What causes kidney stones?

There is no single cause of kidney stones, but there are a few factors that can increase your risk of forming them:

  • Regular dehydration
  • Diets that are high in protein, salt, and sugar
  • Certain medical conditions, including renal tubular acidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or hyperparathyroidism.
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications
  • Vitamin C
  • Calcium supplements

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

A kidney stone that is passing or has fully passed into your bladder causes fairly stark symptoms:

  • Severe pain in your side, back, lower abdomen, groin, and below the ribs
  • Discolored urine, such as red or brown
  • Urine that is cloudy or smells unusual
  • Changes in urination habits, such as frequent urges
  • Fever, nausea, or vomiting

How are kidney stones treated?

How Dr. Lesani treats your kidney stones depends on the size and location of the stone. Most kidney stones fall into two treatment categories:

Small Kidney Stones

Smaller kidney stones don’t require invasive treatment in most cases. Drinking three liters of water per day, along with pain medication and check-ins with Dr. Lesani will be all you need to safely pass the stone.

Larger Stones

Unlike smaller stones which sometimes pass during urination unnoticed, larger kidney stones need medical intervention to exit the body. Depending on the size and cause, Dr. Lesani uses one of the following procedures:

  • Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to break up stones
  • Ureteroscope non-invasive surgery to remove large stones
  • Parathyroid gland surgery

For fast relief from a kidney stone, call Dr. Alex Lesani, MD, in Las Vegas, Nevada, today, or book your appointment online.

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