Introduction
Kidney stones are among the most prevalent medical conditions. The estimates by profound medical researchers reflect that one in ten human beings would have kidney stones at some point in their life. Today’s sedentary lifestyle has given rise in the number of kidney stone patients.
Kidney stones known by the medical term renal calculi are defined as the solid masses that consist of crystals. This painful medical condition can happen to anyone irrespective of age and gender.
Therefore, you can’t commit the mistake of ignoring kidney stones. Though they don’t usually cause permanent damage to your body, it is ideal to recognise its symptoms at an early stage and take the help of right kidney stones treatment.
What are Kidney Stones?
A typical kidney stone is defined as a kind of hard object that is made from the urine chemicals. Urine dissolves various types of wastes. Though, when too much waste accumulates in the little liquid, the formation of crystals begins. These crystals then attract different elements that join and form solid.
Generally, all the waste is passed out from your body with urine. And, all the chemicals get eliminated by your body’s chemist i.e kidney. Though, in the case when several types of minerals or waste accumulates in the urine, there are high chances of the formation of kidney stones.
Hence, a kidney stone is exactly like a solid piece of material that can be formed in one or both the kidneys. After its formation, a kidney stone can stay in your kidney or it can also travel down your urinary tract in the ureter.
There are chances that a tiny stony may come out of your body in the form of urine without causing too much pain. Though, in the case of major kidney stones, you may be required to undergo kidney stones treatment to live a better life.
Types of Kidney stones
Kidney stones can be of various types. Mainly, these stones are categorized into four main types. It is essential to know which type of kidney stone you are having so that you can go for the right kidney stones treatment.
● Calcium Oxalate: This is the common kidney stone that is made when the calcium gets combined with the oxalate in your urine. The kidney stone is mainly formed because of the inadequate intake of fluid and calcium. Therefore it is required to consult your doctor before starting your kidney stones treatment.
● Uric Acid: Uric acid is another kind of kidney stone that is quite common. Foods like shellfish, organ meat contain purine [ high concentration of a chemical compound]. This intake can produce monosodium urate which has the ability to form stones in your kidney. These types of kidney stones can run in the families with obesity, diabetes, gout or various metabolic syndromes.
● Struvite Stones: These types of stones are not very common. They are caused mainly because of the upper urinary tract infection or urinary obstruction. They are the result of kidney infections. These type of stones also need proper kidney stones treatment.
● Cystine: They are touted as rare stones. These stones mainly run in your genes. Men and women with cystinuria disorders can get this type of kidney stone.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Before undergoing any kidney stones treatment, it is essential to recognise its symptoms. Just like a grain of sand, certain kidney stones are too small. Though, some kidney stones can be as large as pebbles. Moreover, certain kidney stones are of the size of a golf ball.
Therefore, the size of a kidney stone is a prerequisite factor for a doctor to start your kidney stones treatment. Small kidney stones may not have any recognisable symptoms. But large kidney stones have more noticeable symptoms.
These symptoms may also not be visible till the pain of your kidney stone moves down to your uterus. The severe pain that you may experience is known as renal colic. You can also experience pain on one side of the abdomen or back. In case of men, this pain can also radiate to their groin area. This pain can come and go and sometimes can be more intense. Sometimes, you may also feel restless. Hence, it is essential to tell all these symptoms to your doctor when he starts doing your kidney stones treatment.
Besides, these symptoms the other type of kidney stone symptoms that people often suffer are:
● Vomiting
● Blood in your urine [ texture of red, brown or pink]
● Foul smell in urine
● Nausea
● Fever
● Chills
● Frequent need of urinating
● Less or small amount in the urine
Causes of Kidney Stones
Anybody can get kidney stones. Though, certain people have a high risk of getting kidney stones as compared to other people. Men are more prone to get kidney stones as compared to women. It is always advisable to know about the causes of this medical condition to get the right kidney stone treatment.
Low Volume of Urine
Before starting your kidney stones treatment, it is essential for a doctor to know the volume of urine. Low volume of urine can occur from dehydration. Moreover, when your urine is low, it is dark in color and is concentrated. The concentrated urine means that salt gets dissolved because of less fluids. Hence, increasing the intake of fluids would dilute the salts in the urine.
Diet
Diet of a person also triggers the formation of kidney stones. The main cause of a calcium kidney stone is always linked to the high calcium levels in your urine. This level occurs the way your body takes care of calcium. Restricting your body calcium can be bad for your born health. It also increases the chances of kidney stones.
Bowel Conditions
To start your kidney stones treatment, bowel conditions are closely monitored. Bowel conditions can occur due to diarrhea or surgeries like gastric surgery. In diarrhea, your body loses fluids in large amounts. Thus, lowering the urine volume and accelerating urine oxalate levels. This can enhance the chances of kidney stones.
Obesity
Obesity can aggravate kidney stone risk factors. It changes the acid levels in your urine and can lead towards the formation of kidney stones.
Other Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can also enhance your risk of having kidney stones. The abnormal growth of parathyroid glands may cause high levels of calcium inside your body. This may lead to kidney stones. Moreover, there are various inherited disorders which can also cause kidney stones. Hence, your doctor always ask your medical history before starting kidney stones treatment
Right Kind of Kidney Stones Treatment
Medical treatment for a kidney stone depends on several factors that can influence the decision of choosing right kidney stones treatment
● Size of a kidney stone
● Type of a stone
● How much pain that stone is causing you
● Whether the stone blocks a urinary tract or not.
These factors are mainly considered prior to all kidney stones treatment. Though, if your stone is small, you just need to take certain medicines and drink fluids so that the stone is being pushed through the urinary tract.
However, if the stone is large or if it blocks the urinary tract, you may need a different line of kidney stones treatment.
Diagnosis
First you visit your doctor and talk to him about your symptoms. Based on those symptoms and your condition, a doctor can suggest some tests before starting your kidney stones treatment.
● Blood tests: A blood test helps in revealing if there is too much uric acid or calcium in the blood. The blood test is ideal in monitoring your kidney’s health and letting your doctor check for the other medical conditions.
● Urine tests: A 24 hour timeline of urine collection will show if you excrete multiple stone formation minerals or too less stone-prevention substances.
● Imaging: These tests reflect if the kidney stone lies in the urinary tract. Abdominal x-rays are used less for kidney stones treatment as these kinds of tests may miss small stones.
Ideal Kidney Stones Treatment Option
Small Stones Showing Minimal Symptoms
Small kidney stones may not require invasive treatments. In this case, medications would be an ideal option. Moreover, you can easily pass your small kidney stone with the help of:
● Drinking plenty of water: two to three quarts of water a day would help in diluting your urine and prevent the formation of kidney stones. Your doctor will advise you to drink enough water when you undergo kidney stones treatment.
● Pain relievers: Small stones have the ability to cause discomfort. Hence, to get relief from the pain, a doctor can recommend pain relievers like Mortin, IB or Aspirin as an ideal option for your kidney stones treatment.
● Medical Therapy: Doctors give medications so that you can easily pass your kidney stones. A medication called alpha blocker helps in relaxing the muscles of a ureter. Hence, it automatically helps in the passing of kidney stones.
Large Stones with Severe Pain and Symptoms
Some people also get large kidney stones that are too large and can’t be passed on their own. These stones can cause heavy bleeding, damage to the kidney, and urinary tract infections. Hence they may need extensive kidney stones treatment.
● Using sound waves: Sound waves are typically used to break the kidney stones. Depending on the location or size of your kidney stone, a doctor may suggest extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. It mainly used sound waves for creating strong vibrations to break your kidney stones into tiny pieces. This would be done to pass the urine. This procedure may take 45 to 60 minutes. It may cause mild pain so you may be given light anesthesia.
● Surgery: Surgeries are a right line of kidney stones treatment in the case of very large stones. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure where your kidney is surgically removed with the help of small telescopes. Instruments are inserted in your back through a small incision.
● Using a scope: For the removal of smaller kidney stones, a doctor will pass an ureteroscope [ thin, light tube] with a camera through the bladder and urethra in the uterus. Once a kidney stone is located, it will be broken into pieces with special tools. A stent will then be placed in the ureter to get relief from swelling. This kidney stones treatment breaks a big stone in small pieces.
● Parathyroid gland operation: In case of calcium phosphate kidney stones [which are located on the corners of your thyroid gland], this type of surgery is preferable. As the calcium levels in your body become high, kidney stones can be formed. Though, benign tumors can also occur in the parathyroid gland. Hence, treating this condition becomes necessary in such cases.
● Ureteroscopy: This is another surgery which can be recommended as a part of your kidney stones treatment. A ureteroscope helps the surgeon see a stone without making any cut. An anesthesia will make you feel comfortable in this procedure. A small device will be used to remove it in one piece. If your stone is too large, it can be removed with the help of a laser or other tools.
Conclusion
Taking timely advice from your healthcare provider, recognising symptoms and knowing the ideal kidney stones treatment option will help you lead a better and healthy life. Moreover, following preventive measures like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising and stress management will also help you in reducing your risk of getting a kidney stone.
FAQs
Where does kidney stone pain usually occur?
A kidney stone pain is mainly located higher on the back and feels deeper. Though, kidney pain symptoms may also occur under the ribs. Hence, recognising this pain is ideal for you to consult your doctor for the best kidney stones treatment.
How to pass a kidney stone fast at home?
The best kidney stones treatment to pass a kidney stone would be to drink more fluids and various citrus juices like grapefruit and orange.
Which is the best sleeping position for a kidney stone patient?
If you have a kidney stone, lie on the side where you are experiencing pain. As if the stone is in the left ureter, you should lie on your left side. It can also increase your blood flow.
Which factors influence the passing of your kidney stone?
Various factors like location, size, diet, hydration, genetics are some of the factors that influence the passing of your kidney stones. These factors also help in choosing the ideal kidney stones treatment.
What is considered as the average size of a kidney stone?
Most kidney stones are less than 5mm diameter. These stones can easily pass on their own. Those stones between 5 to 7mm are touted as big kidney stones. Some stones are even bigger than 7mm.
Can a 15mm kidney stone be passed naturally?
No, a 15mm kidney stone can’t be passed naturally. Your ureter can’t expand beyond the size of 5mm. To get rid of big stones you need medicines or surgical kidney stones treatment.
How long does kidney stones last?
The time length of any stone depends mainly on the symptoms or size of a stone. Though, they can take between 1 to 4 weeks to pass. Moreover, the timeline can also depend on the kind of kidney stones treatment option you choose.