Diet, overweight, certain medical conditions and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes for their formation. They often form when urine stagnates, allowing trace elements to crystallize and stick together.
“Crossing kidney stones can be quite painful (kidney colic), but stones usually do not cause permanent damage if detected early.
“A kidney stone usually will not cause symptoms until it moves through your kidneys or passes into your ureters – the tubes that connect the kidneys and the bladder.”
In this case, you may encounter:
Intense, acute pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Radiation pain in the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Pink, red or brown urine
• Turbid or smelly urine
Persistent need to urinate, urinate more often than usual or urinate in small amounts
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills, if there is an infection.
Types of kidney stones
Kidney stone types include:
• Calcium stones. Most kidney stones are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate
Struvite stones, which form in response to a urinary tract infection
• Uric acid stones
• Cystine stones.
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of kidney stones include:
• Family or personal history. If someone in your family has had kidney stones, you are also more likely to develop stones
• Dehydration. Not drinking enough water every day can increase the risk of kidney stones. People who live in hot, dry climates and who sweat a lot may be at greater risk than others.
• Some diets. A diet high in protein, sodium (salt) and sugar can increase the risk of kidney stones.
• Obesity
• Digestive diseases and surgeries in it
Other medical conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Some supplements and medicines (such as vitamin C, dietary supplements, laxatives), calcium-based antacids and some medicines used to treat migraines or depression.
Diagnosis
• Blood test. Blood tests can reveal too much calcium or uric acid in your blood
• Urine analysis. A 24-hour urine collection can show that you are shedding too many crystals
• Display. Imaging tests may show kidney or urinary stones. Computed tomography (CT) scans can reveal even tiny stones. Ultrasound, a non-invasive test performed quickly and easily, is another imaging option for diagnosis.
• Analysis of discarded stones. Laboratory analysis will reveal the composition of the stones in your kidneys.
Treatment
Treatment for kidney stones varies, depending on the type of stone and the cause.
Small stones with minimal symptoms
Most small kidney stones do not require invasive treatment.
• Drinking from 2 to 3 liters (1.8 to 3.6 liters) of water per day will keep your urine sparse and can prevent stone formation
• Painkillers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort
• Medication. Your doctor can give you a medicine that will help you get rid of the kidney stone.
Large stones and those that cause symptoms
Kidney stones that are too large to go away on their own can cause bleeding, kidney damage, or persistent urinary tract infections and may require more extensive treatment:
Use of sound waves to break up stones, a process called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The procedure takes about 45 to 60 minutes and can cause moderate pain, so you may need anesthesia or light anesthesia.
• Surgery to remove very large kidney stones. A technique called percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves removing the stone using small telescopes inserted through a small incision in your back. You will receive general anesthesia during the operation and you will need to stay in the hospital for one to two days.
• Endoscopic lithotripsy. To remove a smaller stone in your ureter or kidney, your doctor may insert a thin fiber-optic tube (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera through the urethra and bladder into your ureter.
Once the stone is located, special lasers can break it into pieces that will pass through your urine. You may need general or local anesthesia during this procedure.
Prevention
Prevention includes lifestyle changes such as:
• Drink plenty of water a day
• Eat fewer foods rich in oxalates such as beets, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, nuts, tea, chocolate, black pepper and soy products.
• Choose your diet low in salt and animal protein and choose non-animal sources of protein, such as legumes.
• Continue to eat foods rich in calcium that do not affect the risk of kidney stones.
Writes:
Mr. Nikolaos Mertziotis, Doctor of the University of Athens,
Surgeon Urologist-Director of Urological Clinic of Reconstructive and Surgical Andrology Metropolitan General
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