Kidney Stones: Small Things, Big Problems

Kidney stone formation is a condition that millions of men and women everywhere face daily. Sometimes, small kidney stones can go through your body with no pain at all. Unfortunately, there are instances where symptoms are more severe.

Reading the Signs

Kidney stones are small, rock-sized fragments in the urinary tract that are formed from minerals and “salts” that harden due to insufficient water and types of food eaten, etc. If you’re lucky, very minimal pain will occur. Often though, it can become a hindrance to your daily life. Sufferers can feel nauseous, may be unable to concentrate or be unable to sit, walk or lie comfortably without feeling extreme pain.

A common complaint is a feeling of intense, sharp pain on the side of your back or on your lower stomach. This could very well be a sign that large kidney stones have taken over. Other complaints include:

  • Urinating more frequently
  • Pain while urinating
  • Murky/unusual smelling urine
  • Blood in urine
  • Back/stomach pain that starts and stops frequently with growing intensity
  • Constant pain below the ribs

While a common method to dealing with kidney stones is to wait until they pass, for some the pain might prove to be a hindrance to daily activities. Though proper hydration, over-the-counter medicine, a low sodium diet and an overall healthy lifestyle can relieve pain, it is never a sure bet. For those looking for back pain relief from kidney stones, there is hope.

Assess and Administer

If you or anyone you know is suffering from kidney stone-related back problems, Total Pain Care can evaluate your problem and assemble a care plan that meets your needs. Get in touch with pain care professionals to learn more about the services Total Pain Care provides.

  1. Ronald Amaya, PA-C is a Physician Assistant. He attended Weill Cornell Medical College and received his physician assistant degree in NYC. He has 18 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery and over 8 years in pain management. Dr. Amaya is NCCPA board-certified in medicine and surgery.

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  2. Paulette Scott, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Scott is also the pain management representative at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Boston. She fulfilled her physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and completed her fellowship in pain management at Harvard Square Clinic. Dr. Scott is board-certified in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and pain management.

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  3. Andrew D. Bunn, MD is a pain management specialist. Dr. Bunn also serves as the co-director of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, as well as the Program Director for Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Newborn Services | MassGeneral Hospital for Children. After earning his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine, he completed his anesthesia residency at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he also completed his fellowship in pain management. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management.

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  4. David D. Ford, MD is the Director of Pain Management. Dr. Ford earned a medical degree and completed his residencies in both surgery and anesthesiology. He joined the staff of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Watertown in 1990. He is board-certified in both anesthesiology and pain management. Dr. Ford specializes in painful disorders of the spine and sports-related injuries. He has initiated the use of advanced interventional techniques for the successful treatment of these and other conditions.

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