Kidney Stones: Prevention an Important Part of Treatment
Successful treatment of recurrent kidney stones often involves more than eliminating the stone – in many cases it also requires a careful evaluation to identify metabolic abnormalities that predispose patients to stone formation.
The evaluation may include a comprehensive medical history, imaging tests, stone analysis, urine studies, blood tests and genetic testing. Patients receive dietary counseling and many may be prescribed medications to limit or eradicate further stone activity.
Wake Forest Baptist’s kidney stone expert, Dean G. Assimos, M.D., who treats hundreds of stone patients each year, is vice-chair of an American Urological Association panel that writes the international guidelines for kidney stone treatment.
Ranked No. 1 in the nation in the number of kidney stone research grants from the National Institutes of Health amongst urology departments , the Department of Urology is also active in working to identify risk factors for stones, understand how they form and identify potential treatment targets. Patients have the potential to benefit from new knowledge and treatments that result from the program, which is headed by Assimos and Ross Holmes, Ph.D.
Make an appointment with one of our urologists now or call us at 336-716-4131.
Read more about our approach, including treatment options, at kidney stones.