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The number of Americans troubled by kidney stones has been increasing over the past 30 years, but scientists are unsure why. What they do know is that kidney stones prompt almost 3 million visits to health care providers and more than half a million emergency room visits a year.*
A kidney stone develops from crystals that separate from the urine within the urinary tract. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent crystals from forming, but these inhibitors do not work for everyone. Most crystals remain tiny enough and pass unnoticed in urine. However, sometimes a stone forms that is too large to pass easily through the urinary tract.
Signs of kidney stones that need a doctor's help include:
- Extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away
- Blood in your urine
- Fever and chills, or vomiting
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
- A burning feeling with urination
The HealthEast Kidney Stone Clinic can treat stones with a variety of techniques, many of which do not involve major surgery.
About HealthEast's Kidney Stone Clinic
Contact us:
651-326-3830
1-888-326-3830
The Kidney Stone Clinic opened in March at St. Joseph's Hospital. Our staff understands the impact of kidney stones and how they can disrupt your life. That's why we're committed to providing excellent care, whether you're experiencing a kidney stone for the first time or have dealt with them for years.
We focus on:
- Diagnosing kidney stones
- Reducing kidney stone pain and symptoms
- Treating kidney stones
- Preventing new stones
Dr. Andrew Portis, urologist
The Kidney Stone Clinic is led by Andrew Portis, MD. Dr. Portis is recognized as a local and regional expert in the treatment of complex stone cases. At the Kidney Stone Institute, under the direction of Dr. Portis, 90% of patients require only a single procedure to clear their stones. This greatly exceeds the national standard of 65% for single treatment success.
Visit our web site to make an appointment or to get more information.
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