Kidney stones are a common painful medical condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Understanding the symptoms, treatment options and when surgery is necessary to manage and prevent this problem. Here is a guide to detailed information about kidney stones.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are basically oscillations of hard deposits of minerals and salts that can form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones can range in sizes from mustard seeds to blackcurrants. It can block your urinary tract, causing severe pain in your urinary tract or the back of your abdomen.
Kidney Stone Symptoms
– Blood in the urine: Pink, red or brown urine means there is blood in the urine.
– Nausea and vomiting: Due to the stabbing pain, you may feel nauseated or vomiting
– Cloudy or smelly urine: Urine may smell very bad and the colour of the urine may change.
– Fever and chills: You may feel feverish due to pain or the stone getting stuck in the urinary tract
Treatment options for kidney stones
There are several treatment options for kidney stones depending on the size of the stone and the condition of the patient.
Here are some common treatments:
– Hydration: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out small stones with urine.
– Medications: Medications also help in passing out the stone by widening the urethra and through analgesia
– Surgical procedures: There are many surgical procedures like RIRS, PCNL or open surgery for kidney stone
Surgical options for kidney stone
When the size of the kidney stone is large and it cannot come out on its own and causes obstruction of urine and causes a lot of pain, then surgery is required.
There are many surgical procedures:
– Ureteroscopy: A thin pen-like scope is inserted through the urethra to find and remove or break up the stone. It is a non-invasive procedure in which no cut or mark is made on the body of the patient.
– Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: In this procedure a small incision is made on the back to remove large stones directly from the kidney. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which a small incision is made on the back of the patient near the kidney.
– Open surgery: This is rarely needed, but is sometimes required for very large or complex stones.
How to prevent kidney stones
Make dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent kidney stones
– Stay hydrated: Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.
– Reduce sodium intake: Excess salt intake can also lead to stone formation
– Limit oxalate-rich foods: beetroot, spinach and almonds.
– Eat a balanced diet: Include calcium-rich foods and reduce meat intake.
In summary
Although kidney stones can be a painful and frustrating condition, being aware of the symptoms, available treatments and preventive measures can greatly improve your quality of life. If you think you may have kidney stones, consult a doctor as soon as possible to find out the best treatment.