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News Brief 
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A Big Pain! What You Need to Know About Kidney Stones
Submitted by Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, Urology Specialists of Milford
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Why They Form
Kidney stones are extremely common- affecting approximately 20 % of all men and 10% of all women. Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Kidney stones are caused by too many minerals in the urine forming crystals, which grow together over time to form a stone. There are several types of stones, but most are made of calcium while others are made of uric acid which comes from proteins.
Symptoms
When kidney stones initially form and remain up in the kidney, they rarely cause any pain. When the stones move out of the kidney and drop into the ureter (the tube between the kidney and the bladder), they can cause severe pain if they block the flow of urine out of the kidney. When they do drop into the ureter, they typically cause very sharp or "colicky" pain which starts in the flank and radiates around to the lower part of the abdomen or genital area. Nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine typically accompany the severe pain. You may also have a fever or chills if there is a urinary infection as well.
Read more about diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones
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Tuesday, May 9, 6-7:30 PM
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Question & Answer
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Is there any treatment for urinary incontinence?
Many people suffer from urinary incontinence, although it is seen most often in older adults. The good news is that you do not have to accept it as part of the normal aging process. There is a vast choice of treatments available depending on the cause of the incontinence and the severity of the condition.
The most common types of incontinence are either stress incontinence-the loss of urine when there is pressure on the bladder from coughing or sneezing, or urge incontinence-a sudden urge to urinate followed by loss of urine. Quite often simple behavioral changes or exercises can solve incontinence. There are also several medications that can be effective. Other treatments include injection of artificial bulking agents or placement of a nerve stimulator. If these treatments aren't working, there are several surgical procedures that should be considered such as sling procedures or bladder neck suspension.
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Healthy Living Tip
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Benefits of a High Fiber Diet
Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before, but do you know why fiber is so good for your health?
Dietary fiber - found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes - is probably best known for its ability to prevent or relieve constipation. But foods containing fiber can provide other health benefits as well, such as helping to maintain a healthy weight and lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Selecting tasty foods that provide fiber isn't difficult. Find out how much dietary fiber you need, the foods that contain it, and how to add them to meals and snacks.
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Featured Video
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Brachytherapy Treatment for Prostate Cancer, Presented by Dr. Peter Orio III
Prostate Cancer is the most common type of cancer found in men. In this video, Brigham and Women's radiation oncologist, Dr. Peter Orio, nationally known for his expertise in prostate brachytherapy, discusses this procedure for treating prostate cancer patients.
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Patient Story
For Margo, the world changed when her gynecologist discovered something suspicious during a routine annual exam. Her doctor quickly referred her to Dr. Sanjaya Kumar for follow-up.
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is painless blood in the urine. Patients who smoke or who are exposed to certain chemicals at work are at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer. Dr. Kumar assured Margo that he could help her by targeting, removing and closely monitoring her cancer.
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Good Things You Should Know
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New Blood Donation Center
Milford Regional, in partnership with the American Red Cross, has opened a new Blood Donation Center at the hospital. This Center is located just off the waiting room for the Imaging Center where the old emergency department used to be located.
The need for blood donations across the country is great. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood and platelets for those requiring transfusions. In addition, donated blood must be constantly replenished because it only has a shelf life of 42 days. The Red Cross must collect a staggering 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
Blood drives scheduled for the next two months at Milford Regional include:
April 7, 21, 25 and May 20, 26, 31. For more detailed information or to make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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Milford Regional and Tri-County Medical Associates have partnered to bring high quality urgent care to the communities we serve. Our third urgent care site opened in Milford on March 20. It is located at 129 South Main Street in Milford, diagonally across from the CVS Pharmacy on Cape Road. The hours for this site are Monday through Friday 9AM - 7PM and Saturday and Sunday 9AM - 5PM.
We are excited to provide this added layer of medical care with convenient walk-in service and extended hours. It is staffed with a team of highly qualified physicians and advanced practitioners. Milford Regional laboratory and radiology services are located on-site, making it convenient to obtain necessary lab tests or X-rays. Our other urgent care sites are located in Hopkinton and Northbridge.
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Although Milford Regional had made the decision to close its inpatient pediatric unit based on low patient admissions, pediatric patients will continue to receive excellent care in a designated section of the emergency department. Pediatric patients will be cared for by Boston Children's Physicians alongside Milford Regional's emergency medicine physicians. This designated area includes spacious rooms that comfortably accommodate the child with her/her parents and are equipped with the most up-to-date medical systems.
Milford Regional will continue to provide outpatient pediatric surgeries. And as has always been the case, when specialized pediatric care is needed, transfers to tertiary care facilities in Boston or Worcester will take place seamlessly.
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About Our Doctors
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Milford Regional's active medical staff, consisting of over 250 doctors, is highly qualified to treat you and your family through sickness and in health. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, you can be assured of the best possible care.
If you need a physician, please call our Physician Referral Line at 1-888-DRS-HERE (1-888-377-4373). Our Referral Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For a quick look, see our list of primary care physicians who are accepting new patients. It is important to note that not all physicians accept all insurances. Please call the physician's office directly to find out if they accept your insurance plan. |
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Milford Regional has very experienced urologists that specialize in problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
Using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in the privacy of the physician's office, your urologist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your particular condition
. View our website to read more about our urologists. Just click on their names to see their bio.
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