With the increasingly busy schedules, unhealthy dietary practices, lack of proper sleep routine, and sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of preventable diseases such as kidney stones has increased. According to research 1, it is estimated about 12% of the Indian population is affected by Urinary stones, with 50% of those who develop them are likely to lose kidney function.
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones are formed when urine contains too many minerals from your body. The stones are made primarily from calcium or uric acid and vary in size. They may also travel to other areas of the urinary tract if not diagnosed and treated timely.
How do you get kidney stones?
Dehydration and obesity are two of the most common causes of kidney stones. When you don’t drink enough water, your urine becomes more concentrated, and the amount of certain minerals in your urine rises, causing kidney stones to develop.
However, in some cases, kidney stones can also be attributed to multiple factors such as :
- Low urine volume: If you reside in a hotter region and your urine is low and concentrated, your salts aren’t dissolved properly due to less fluid.
- Diet: There are high chances of kidney stones when calcium and oxalate bind together in the urine produced by your kidneys. Sodium, animal protein, and high-oxalate food such as spinach, rhubarb, and grits also increase your chances of getting a kidney stone.
- Family History: a family history of stones increases your likelihood of getting a kidney stone.
- Medication: Medication such as antibiotics, diuretics, vitamin C, and calcium supplements increase the risk of getting a kidney stone and need to be monitored.
- Medical Condition: Type-2 diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, along various genetic diseases are some of the ailments that play a role in increasing your chances of forming a kidney stone.
Suppose you feel you are more prone to get a kidney stone based on the cause of the kidney stone mentioned above. In that case, it is recommended that you monitor yourself for any signs and symptoms of kidney stones so they can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Kidney stones can be extremely painful and inconvenient, particularly if the early signs of kidney stones are ignored. The larger stone blocks the ureter, causing discomfort in the lower back, either in the sides or in the groin area. Thus, it is important to look out for early signs of kidney stones to prevent acute pain and discomfort.
What are some of the signs of kidney stones?
In many cases, kidney stones are asymptomatic, and patients become aware of their presence once they begin to pass. To be aware of and receive complete medical professional advice on kidney stones, it is important to know about the following signs and symptoms of kidney stones:
- Severe pain in the back, belly, and side
- Difficulty or pain during urination
- Fever
- Blood in urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe pain in the back, belly, and side
As the stone moves around the narrow uterus, it creates a blockage that spikes the pressure in the kidneys. This pressure leads to severe pain in and around the back, below the ribs, and along the sides. Large kidney stones can also lead to swelling of the affected region. The pain varies in severity, position, and duration as well as has a tendency to spread.
2.Difficulty or Pain during urination
Blockage in the ureter causes excruciating pain while passing the urine and might lead to urine infections if urine fails to pass. Irregular urination is a significant symptom of a kidney stone. Pain is likely to be confused with urinary tract infection, and hence, it is recommended to consult a urologist in case of acute and severe pain caused during urination.
3.Fever
Fever signals an infection in your urinary tract. The fever associated with a kidney stone is high, along with chills. Timely consultation with a urologist is necessary to lower the risk of developing sepsis.
4.Blood in urine
Blood in your urine that is pink, brown, or red is another symptom of a kidney stone. Hematuria (blood in the urine) indicates that a stone has begun to migrate from the kidney to the bladder. Any stone having a size larger than 3 to 4 mm in diameter may get trapped in the ureters. If the stone is not removed quickly, it will tear the ureter, allowing blood to the urinary tract. Your urologist will run several checks to look into this issue.
5.Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can be triggered by kidney stones as there are several common nerves shared between the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea is also caused due to intense pain and patients must seek immediate medical professional help if the symptoms are extreme.
How do you treat kidney stones? (Treatment of kidney stones)
Your urologist decides the treatment plan for the stone based on the type and size of the stone, where it has spread, and the severity of your symptoms.
In cases of smaller stones, the doctor recommends waiting for 4-6 weeks for the stone to pass in the urine on its own. IN these cases, urologists may also recommend medications to relieve the pain.
If your stone fails to pass or is larger, urologists may perform surgeries like Shock Wave Lithotripsy, Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and Ureteroscopy to treat kidney stones.
How to prevent kidney stones?
When it comes to kidney stones, there is no common solution for all. This might have lifestyle modifications or changes in your prescribed medications. However, some of the common preventive measures as suggested by our urologists include :
- Stay Hydrated and drink enough fluids
- Consume less salt in your diet.
- Reduce meat consumption
- Monitor medications and consult your doctor for risk factors
Conclusion:
Stones in the kidneys can be avoided by taking appropriate preventive measures. If you are susceptible to kidney stones, you must remain hydrated to prevent the minerals in your urine from crystallizing into stones. Treatment should not be delayed once you witness these signs and symptoms of kidney stones.
If you witness these symptoms, book an appointment with our best urologist in Pune