Kidney stones
How common are kidney stones?
Very common. About one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some point.
If you've had one, your chance of another is higher. After your first stone, get checked to learn why it formed.
Our Jasper Clinic welcomes Ellijay-area patients for visits, testing and follow-up.
Schedule your visit with Advanced Urology, with locations across metro Atlanta.
For stones, Gilmer County residents visit our Jasper Clinic, where Dr. Chirag Dave, Dr. Jason Lomboy and Britany Howard, FNP, practice. Urine testing, a look at imaging and questions about earlier stones, relatives with stones, fluids and diet come first, since each can point toward why stones form.
Little stones frequently clear with generous fluids and pain relief, plus at times a ureter-relaxing medicine. Larger stones, or ones that won't move, may need shock wave lithotripsy from outside the body or ureteroscopy with a thin scope, both done at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center. Afterward we turn to prevention: analyzing the stone, adjusting salt and protein, drinking enough to keep urine pale and, for some people, a 24-hour urine test.
Many people who have one stone form another within several years if nothing changes. Drinking more, cutting salt and, for repeat stone formers, blood and urine testing lower that chance.
Yes. High salt and very high animal protein raise risk for most people, and calcium oxalate stone formers may need to limit very high-oxalate foods such as spinach. Cutting dietary calcium is not advised, because it can raise oxalate absorption.
Yes. Pee through a strainer until the stone passes and bring it in dry. Knowing its type decides which diet changes and medicines help prevent another.
Ellijay, Cherry Log and East Ellijay residents can phone (678) 344-8900 to schedule.
Bring any stone you've passed in a clean container, along with older imaging reports, to help us understand your history.
Follow-up visits can usually happen in Jasper, close to home.
Questions are welcome anytime.
We'll explain each option in plain language.
Partners are welcome too.
Videos play here from Advanced Urology’s YouTube channel, using YouTube’s privacy-enhanced mode.
Start with the condition page, then call or book online whenever you are ready.
Questions after reading this? Our offices in Marietta, Canton, Dallas and Jasper share one phone line and one caring team.