South Carolina is no exception; poor diet choices, lack of fluids and extreme heat and high humidity are all important factors that contribute to kidney stones.

According to Dr. David Brandli, Trident Health System urologist, “One in eight adult males will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime.  The rate is somewhat lower for women.”

Summer is also known as “stone season” throughout the Southeast. “We see more cases throughout the summer than any other season,” says Brandli.

“Among the treatments for kidney stones, shock wave lithotripsy is the least invasive and provides a lower stone-free rate than other, more invasive methods. Lithotripsy uses high intensity acoustic pulse to break up the stones, guided by fluoroscopy. The pulses are delivered externally, so there is no incision.”  

“Trident Health System makes available to its clinicians all the currently accepted technologies for treating kidney stones,” said Brandli. “The health system is exclusive in the market by providing patients lithotripsy services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.”

Trident Health System is an HCA hospital system comprised of three acute care hospitals – Trident Medical Center, Summerville Medical Center and Colleton Medical Center – as well as Moncks Corner Medical Center and diagnostic centers throughout Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties. For more information, please visit  www.tridenthealthsystem.com or call 843.797.7000.

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