By Cab Camper
Kidney stones are common but painful medical conditions that require treatment. One of the most popular treatments for kidney stones is called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). This minimally invasive procedure uses shock waves to break down kidney stones into small particles that can then be removed from the body. Let’s take a closer look at what is ESWL and how it can help with kidney stone treatment.
What is ESWL?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a technology used to treat kidney stones. The procedure involves using high-frequency sound waves, or shocks, to break up the hard calcium deposits in the kidneys. The sound waves cause the stone to vibrate and shatter into smaller particles that can be passed out of the body naturally without any surgery or other invasive procedures.
How Does ESWL Work?
During an ESWL procedure, a patient lies on their stomach on an x-ray table while a technician applies shockwaves onto the surface of their back where the kidney stone is located. These shockwaves travel through the skin and muscle, breaking down the calcium deposit into small particles that can pass through the urinary system naturally. Afterward, a doctor will examine a urine sample to make sure all of the particles have been successfully removed from your body.
Benefits of Using ESWL for Kidney Stones
The primary benefit of using ESWL for treating kidney stones is that it has fewer risks than traditional open surgery methods. It also requires no hospitalization or anesthesia, which means that patients can go home immediately after undergoing this procedure with minimal discomfort or side effects. Additionally, since it does not involve any cutting or suturing of tissue, healing times are much shorter than with open surgery techniques. Finally, because this procedure destroys only the affected area, there is less risk of infection compared to other types of surgeries used to treat kidney stones.
ESWL, or Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy, is a medical practice that uses sonic shock waves to break down and dissolve kidney stones. The treatment is non-invasive, making it an attractive option for individuals suffering from painful kidney stones. The procedure typically takes anywhere between 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the severity of the stones, and patients are typically able to go home after a few hours of recovery.
Furthermore, ESWL boasts a high success rate of up to 95%, so not only is this treatment option convenient – it’s also incredibly effective. For anyone looking for an effective solution without going under the knife, ESWL is surely the best treatment option.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is an effective method for treating kidney stones without requiring extensive hospital stays or surgery. As such, those suffering from kidney stones may want to consider this option if they wish to avoid major surgery while still receiving effective treatment for their condition.
