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Matthew G. Mutch, M.D.

Matthew Mutch, MD, never thought of choosing anything other than surgery as a career. Now he is part of the team of colorectal surgeons at Washington University and finds his high expectations met.

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Chemotherapy in Patients over 70

My mother is 81 years old and has cancer. Her oncologist has recommended chemotherapy. Will chemotherapy be too hard on her because of her age?

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Home Dialysis - Life Saving But Not Life Restricting

For people needing kidney dialysis , ttere are many advantages to home dialysis compared to treatment in an outpatient dialysis center.

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Take My Kidney Stones - Please!

The pain of a kidney stone attack can be excruciating – and no one wants a repeat performance. It is possible to prevent kidney stones with dietary and fluid modification with or without medication.

According to Alana Desai, MD, Washington University urologist, “Kidney stone disease can be caused by a number of factors including heredity, systemic disorders, environment and diet. For example, a hot environment can lead to fluid losses via sweat and other means and can contribute to risk of kidney stones, especially when access to adequate fluids and bathroom facilities is limited. There is also increasing evidence that obesity is linked to the formation of certain types of kidney stones.”

After this first episode, most patients want to avoid a second. Depending on the patient’s history, this can be as simple as following a few fluid and dietary recommendations for stone formers in general, which includes a high fluid intake to produce over two liters of urine per day and a low salt diet. Depending on the urinary pH, a low animal protein diet may be recommended as well.

Dr. Desai suggests a full metabolic evaluation for those with a family history of stone disease, multiple previous stone episodes, systemic disorders or a solitary kidney. Washington University has the only onsite metabolic testing lab, so you can have your stone analyzed when it is removed or passes. This requires a blood draw and two 24-hour urine collections.

Based on these results, dietary modifications may be advised with or without medication to reduce the risk of future stone occurrences.

Of all the recommendations listed above, increasing fluid intake is the most important behavioral modification one can do to decrease the risk of stone formation.

When you have an acute attack of pain, go to the emergency room. If the imaging (x-ray or CT scan) shows a kidney stone, or if you have a history of stones, ask for a referral to Dr. Desai.

Please call 314-362-8200 for an appointment.

Patients are seen at:

Center for Advanced Medicine
4921 Parkview Place, 11th Floor, Suite C
St. Louis, MO 63110

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Medical Building One
1040 N. Mason Road, Suite 122
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Alana Desai, MD

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Take My Kidney Stones - Please!

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