The following questions have been posed to members of the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society:

To Dr. William Russell of Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina:

Q: I have had two bouts of kidney stones within the last five years, and I thought I was practicing preventive measures. Is this a chronic condition or is there a permanent treatment?

A: Kidney stones are caused by the formation of crystals in the urine, which usually grow to form stones a few millimeters in size. They cause pain when they pass from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder.

The ureter is a narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder, and any stone larger than 2 to 3 millimeters can cause a blockage, with severe pain in the abdomen and side. All stones form when urine becomes concentrated, if you have not had adequate intake of fluids.

While there are several types of stones, all stones can be prevented to some degree by hydration.

The most important time to drink is in the evening, as this is when most people stop drinking fluids. If you drink a large glass of water at bedtime, this will probably cause you to urinate at night. When you awaken to urinate, drink another glass of water. This will reduce your risk of stones, although you may have to get up a couple times a night.

Lemonade is also helpful to prevent stones, as citrate in the lemonade may prevent stone formation.

If you have repeated stones, the stone can be analyzed and the urine tested to see if there is an abnormality in its chemical makeup.

Q: I have had prostate surgery, the variety least likely to cause incontinence, according to my doctor. However, I do have an annoying dribbling problem for which I have to wear pads. Is there help for this condition?

A: Incontinence after prostate surgery can occur in 2 percent of men who have surgery done for benign conditions and in up to 10 percent of men who have their prostates removed for cancer. The type of incontinence described here is what we call post-void dribbling and may occur in men who have not had prostate surgery.

This is because the sphincter, or valve that turns on and off the urine stream, is approximately 6 inches above the end of the urethra. There may be some urine that pools in the urethra and drains by gravity in the few minutes after urinating.

Often, this can be prevented by relaxing, urinating in the sitting position, and sometimes by placing a piece of toilet tissue in the underwear for a minute or two after urinating, say until after you finish washing your hands.

If the leakage is more severe, or it occurs more than a few minutes after urinating, it could be due to damage to the sphincter.

Ask the surgeon who did your operation for other suggestions.

To Dr. Alan Jackson of Coastal Internal Medicine:

Q: Are herbal remedies effective in treatment of prostate cancer?

A: Herbal remedies and alternative medicine have been touted for years as a treatment for a variety of conditions from cancer to headaches and psychiatric problems.

None as yet has received FDA approval or is accepted by the mainstream medical community.

Questions and answers are compiled by Julie Orli, M.D., president of Orli International Consultants Inc., a coach for business executives, and a member of the New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society. This column is for general interest and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor. If you have a question you'd like a local physician to address, call anonymously to the Medical Society office, 790-5800.

From Healthy.net