| alkalinization |
process where urine becomes less acidic than normal and more
basic. This usually requires the use of medication. |
| amino acid |
a fundamental unit in protein structure; protein' s base unit of composition.
|
| amino acid |
medication that helps reduce feeling and pain. General anesthesia causes
a state of sleep, and regional anesthesia numbs a particular body region.
|
| anesthesiologists |
a medical doctor who specializes in administrating anesthesia |
| bladder |
a triangle shaped, balloon-like organ in the lower abdomen which stores
urine until urination. calcium oxalate a hard crystalline compound made
up of calcium and oxalate salt components. Stones made of this type can
often be found mixed with calcium phosphate. |
| calcium oxalate |
stones are of two types: monohydrate and dihydrate. Those stones of the
monohydrate type are dark brown or black in appearance and are extremely
hard. The dihydrate type are light yellow and much easier to fragment. |
| calcium phosphate |
a type of compound made up of calcium and phosphate. Stones of this type
often occur in association with renal tubular acidosis and hyperparathyroidism.
Stones of this type are white or cream colored and are moderately hard.
|
| catscan |
a special type ofx-ray that can be used to find a kidney stone. |
| citrate |
a molecule produced by the kidney which binds in the urine with calcium
and oxalate to reduce the risk ofkidney stone formation |
| cystine |
a particular type of amino acid (see amino acid). |
| diuretics |
a medication which helps the kidney to eliminate excess water from the
body. |
| electrohydraulic probe |
a type of probe that, like lithotripsy, uses a shockwave effect to fragment
stones. |
| endoscopic |
term used in referring to instruments that enable a physician to see inside
the urinary tract. |
| ESWL |
short for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. A type of kidney stone
treatment procedure where high-frequency shockwaves are used to fragment
stones, without the need for incisions. |
| genetic disorders |
referring to a type of disorder related to malfunctioning genes, the structural
units of stored information inherited from parents. |
| gout |
a metabolic disorder in which uric acid levels in blood and urine are
too high, thereby acting as a potential cause ofuric acid stones. |
| Holmium laser |
a type of laser probe that uses light in the ultravioilet wavelength to
create a pinpoint of light and heat which can be used to vaporize urinary
calculi. |
| hyperparathyroidism |
condition associated with overactive parathyroid glands, increased calcium
and blood in the urine, and a potential cause for calcium stone formation.
|
| inflammatory bowel disease |
any condition which leads to frequent loose or watery diarrhea. |
| kidney |
a bean shaped organ, located on either side of the spine, which functions
in filtering blood to remove waste in the form of urine. |
| lithotrilter |
machine that is used to perform lithotripsy or breakup of kidney or ureteral
stones. |
| metabolism |
process involving the body's breakdown of food into energy. |
| obesity |
condition involving excessive weight. |
| oxalate |
a salt compound that acts as a component in calcium oxalate stones (see
calcium oxalate). |
| percutaneous |
refers to placing a tube or instrument through a small incision in the
flank into the kidney. |
| radiologists |
medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing illness by using different
types of x-rays or diagnostic imaging. |
| renal tubular acidosis |
a disease of the kidneys in which the kidneys fail to excrete a normal
amount of acid from the body. |
| shockwaves |
a type of pressure wave generated by an energy discharge in a water medium.
The pressure wave can be focused to break urinary stones. |
| struvite |
substance made of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate that is the component
of kidney stones associated with bacterial urinary infections. Stones of
these type are cream to brown in color and are generally soft. |
| ultrasonic probe |
type of probe that uses a mechanical effect to transmit vibrational energy
to fragment a stone. |
| ultrasound |
technique which uses sound waves to visualize anatomy. |
| urethra |
small tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body during
urination. |
| uric acid |
component of uric acid stones. Such stones are black, yellow,
or brown in color and are of moderate hardness. |
| urinary stones |
general term used to refer to kidney stones, ureteral stones, and bladder
stones.
|
| urinary tract |
part of the human anatomy consisting of the excretion system the kidneys,
ureters, bladder and urethra.
|
| urologist |
doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract. |
