A kidney stone, renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis is a hard, pebble-like material that is made from chemicals in the urine. Urine has various dissolved wastes in it. When a lot of waste is present in very little liquid, crystals begin to develop. The crystals draw additional elements and merge to form a solid that will get bigger unless passed out of the body with the urine. These chemicals are mostly eliminated in the urine by the kidneys.
After forming, the stone could stay in the kidney or move down the urinary system and into the ureter. Occasionally, little stones pass out through urine without causing too much pain. Urethra, ureter, bladder, or kidney stones that stay in the body may cause urine to back up, causing pain.
Kidney stone symptoms:
Few kidney stones are small, like a grain of sand, or as large as a pebble or a golf ball! The size of the stone directly affects the visibility of the symptoms; larger stones tend to produce more noticeable symptoms.
The signs could be any of the ones below:
- Severe pain on one or both sides of the lower back.
- Persistent vague pain or a stomachache that doesn’t seem to go away.
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Bad-smelling or cloudy urine
- In men, pain at the tip of the penis
Kidney stone causes:
The kidney stone causes include drinking very little water, obesity, exercise (too much or too little), weight loss surgery, or consuming food with too much salt or sugar. Certain infections and having a family history might be important in a few individuals. Eating too much fructose increases the likelihood of getting a kidney stone. High fructose corn syrup and table sugar both have fructose in them.
Types of Kidney Stones:
There are four primary types of stones:
1. Calcium oxalate:
The common kidney stone is formed when calcium fuses with oxalate in the urine. Insufficient calcium and fluid intake, as well as other circumstances, may contribute to their formation.
2. Uric acid:
Another familiar type of kidney stone is uric acid. Foods such as shellfish and organ meats contain increased amounts of a natural chemical compound called purines. Increased purine consumption results in a higher production of monosodium urate, which, under the right conditions, may develop into kidney stones. These types of stones often occur in families.
3. Struvite:
These stones don’t happen often and are brought on by chronic infections in the upper urinary system. These stones are bigger in size with branches and grow fast.
4. Cystine:
Cystine stones are bigger and keep coming back because of a genetic disorder called cystinuria, causing pain and blood in the urine, so it’s important to see a doctor to get an evaluation and treatment. Some ways to treat it are to drink more water, make changes to your food, or have surgery.
Kidney stone diagnosis:
A kidney stone diagnosis begins with a medical and dietary history, physical examination, and imaging tests. It is important to know the exact size and shape of the kidney stones, which is done with a high-resolution CT scan or an x-ray called a “KUB x-ray” (kidney-ureter-bladder x-ray), showing the stone size and location. The KUB x-ray helps to determine if the stone is right for shock wave treatment. For monitoring the stones before and after treatment, the KUB test may be used, but a CT scan is generally better for diagnosis. In a few individuals, doctors will also suggest an intravenous pyelogram or lVP.
Specific blood tests and urine tests will be done to check kidney health. A patient’s general health and the size and location of the stone will be evaluated.
The doctor will also want to know what caused the stone. After the stone is taken out of the body, it will be checked for calcium, phosphorus, and uric acid. The doctor may also want to test the urine for calcium and uric acid every 24 hours.
Kidney stone treatment:
The treatment for kidney stones is similar for all age groups. Patients are asked to drink plenty of water. Doctors generally attempt to allow the stone to pass naturally without performing surgery. Medications are given to make the urine less acidic. But if the stone is very large, blocking the urine flow, or if there’s an infection, it is removed with surgery.
The surgeries to treat stones are extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopy (URS), or percutaneous nephrolithotomy/nephrolithotripsy.
Kidney stone prevention:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink sufficient water every day to dilute your urine.
- Limit Sodium: Reduce your salt intake to decrease calcium buildup in urine.
- Eat Calcium-Rich Foods: Consume calcium from foods, not supplements.
- Reduce Oxalate Intake: Avoid high-oxalate foods like spinach and nuts if you’re prone to calcium oxalate stones.
- Moderate Protein Intake: Limit animal protein to reduce uric acid levels.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise helps prevent stones by keeping your body fluids moving.
- Monitor Your Health: Manage body weight and conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that can increase stone risk.
FAQs:
1. Which doctor treats kidney stones?
A urologist or nephrologist treats kidney stones.
2. What are the complications of kidney stones?
The complications of kidney stones are urine flow obstruction and severe pain. Permanent renal damage might result from kidney stones. Additionally, stones raise the risk of kidney and urinary infections, which can spread bacteria into the blood.
3. What is the kidney stone treatment cost in Hyderabad?
Kidney stone treatment costs in Hyderabad might be anywhere from Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 150,000, depending on several factors.
4. How do you reduce the risks of kidney stones?
The risks of getting kidney stones can be reduced by:
- Consume a lot of water.
- To your water, add some lemon or lime juice.
- Keep your calcium consumption to a minimum.
- Plant-based foods that are high in calcium should be eaten.
5. Can kidney stones recur?
Yes, people who have had kidney stones are at a higher risk of forming new stones. A prevention plan with a doctor can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
6. Can kidney stones occur in children?
Yes, kidney stones are found in children.
7. What is a staghorn stone?
The name of these stones comes from the shape they take as they grow inside the kidney, which looks like the horns of a stag (deer). People who get urinary tract infections (UTIs) with certain types of bacteria over and over again often develop staghorn stones.