Patient Perspectives

Veganism has been on the rise for its apparent health and ethical benefits. Numerous stone patients have been converting to veganism in hopes that it will support their kidney stone disease management. However, recent research suggests that vegan diets may actually be detrimental for stone patients!​
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Support your patients in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle by informing them about the benefits and risks of going fully vegan. Here is a patient-friendly, digestible article for your vegan stone patients to learn more about: Before You Go On Your Vegan Diet, Beware the Kidney Stone Risks!

Source:

Fad diets and their effect on urinary stone formation

In a survey conducted on Worst Pain Ever®, the world’s largest kidney stone patient community, 49% of the respondents indicated that they experience significant stent pain. ​
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Similarly, our 2022 Global Urology Survey found that 1 in 3 patients believe that stents are more painful than kidney stones! ​

Read the report here: World Kidney Stone Day 

Pregnant women with kidney stones face a substantial increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriage, mild pre-eclampsia, and caesarean deliveries. While conservative stone management is often preferred, pregnant patients with larger stones may have to undergo more invasive procedures such as URS or the insertion of a nephrostomy tube. Renal stones may also present as preterm labor or uterine contractions, falsely worrying several women in our community. Their #kidneystone experience has left them feeling emotionally drained and fearful of stone-related complications that could arise and affect childbirth.

Urologists should work towards providing special attention and care to pregnant kidney stone patients to cater to their unique concerns.

Source:

Renal stones in pregnancy

Multiple studies concur that ESWL is urologists’ first choice of treatment for upper urinary tract stones*, but ESWL has also emerged as a favorite among patients!

Having experienced the discomfort of stents, numerous #kidneystone patients in our community are requesting for ESWL where possible, as they are less likely to require stents. Patients also rave about the fast recovery time and minimal pain! #ProudtoESWL

*Sources:

1. Diversity in urologists’ personal preferences in the ureteroscopic management of ureteral calculi in Norway
2. Do urologists follow the golden rule? A global urolithiasis management study by the Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society

Given the prevalence of medical misinformation online today, healthcare practitioners and organisations must find new ways to encourage health literacy among patients. A recent article in Modern Healthcare highlights the importance of getting creative with partnerships, so that healthcare practitioners and organizations can meet patients where they are.

With “Worst Pain Ever”, the world’s largest online kidney stone patient community, we’re closer to the patient than any other in #Urology.

Learn more about “Worst Pain Ever” here: Our Digital Urology Platform 

Source: Influencing the influencers: How the healthcare system can stymie misinformation