Okay..so it seems we’re getting a lot of people to this site from google..Google searches on “wind associated with kidney stones,” “english urologist me” and others have lead people to our little site. Thus, it seems that we have an opportunity to be helpful!

So, in the event you land here looking for something more useful than pictures of our dog (though I can’t fathom how that could ever happen) here you are.

First, a disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor. I just play one for the husband that periodically ends up on the floor screaming and the dog that over indulges himself in boxes of hot cocoa.

What to do if you get ill abroad:

1) Don’t panic. It doesn’t help. Seriously, take a deep breath.

2) Contact your embassy or visit their website. This may seem a bit extreme but I’m not talking about getting an airlift rather the contact information for a hospital that speaks english. Though if you need an airlift, I believe they can help out there to.

For example, T’s second incident here ended up with me googling desperately for “English Speaking Hosptials” and such. The only problem…I was googling in English. Eventually I discovered the embassy had a long online list of resources (and phone numbers) that helped me to find the wonderful Dr. Buddah. While the hospital didn’t function in english (which is admittedly a bit scary and frustrating) they took great care of him and well, he survived so we’ll tally it as a win.

3) Ask Locals for help. I would imagine a hotel would be able to help in this area or friends or such.

4) Don’t put it off until you are on the floor begging for death. Do your research before you leave. At the very least be sure you know the local number for emergency services (911 in the US, 119 in Japan).

5) Let the doctors do what they do. It may not be the way “they do things at home” but chances are they do them for a reason and unless you have a medical degree, they probably know more on the subject than you do.

That said, if you are in a country where your native language isn’t commonly used try the following tricks:

• Write it down. People can sometimes be a bit shy on speaking but might be able to read.
• Carry a pocket dictionary. It’s fun to look up words like “bloating” and “suppository” in different languages.
• Check if the hospital has a translator. The doctors might be a bit busy with your screaming travel buddy, so take two minutes and find a nurse. Nurses are your friends and serve as excellent allies. If there is a translator, they will be able to find them for you.
• Point and gesture. Board games can be useful practice.

6) Do ask questions, though keep them reasonable and at least mildly intelligent.

• If you see something you aren’t sure about, ask.
• If you have something you need to mention like allergies, mention it.

7) Carry your name, passport and where you are staying on you at all times. Same for vital medical information (allergies and such). Just tuck a little card into your wallet, it could do you wonders.

8 ) Don’t wait it out. You don’t want to be the person laid out in the aisle of the plane that everyone is staring at.

What to do if you get a kidney stone?

Here is the official breakdown.

Here is the Dr. Buddah offering:

• Drink LOTS of water. Paincomes from urine blockage so yes, water can cause pain but it can also push the little buggers along and break them up.
• Keep moving. Yes, also not the most comfortable thing, but moving also stimulation motion down there.
• Drugs. Take the Drugs. T will vouch.
• Patience. The little buggers can take a while.

How can on avoid kidney stones?

1. Collect the stone you are passing (and buy your spouse a new strainer). Take it to the Doctor. They will cut it up into little pieces and tell you what it is made of. Different stones have different causes.
2. Drink water. Water prevents chemicals from binding and creating the little suckers.
3. Diet management. Depending on what type of stone you are prone to different diets can work as a preventative measures.

Anything else? Well, go back to googling my friends. I can only suggest the following for you:

Kidney Stones: A definition

Tax dollars at work: US Embassy Directory

9-1-1 doesn’t work everywhere..here are the right numbers

I can only be so helpful.

Tomorrow we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming. We’re also off to Hiroshima this weekend so adventures are on the horizon!