Decipher kidney stones for quick and painless treatment

Contributed by: Priyaish Srivastava

Did you know already?

• • Kidneys are bean-shaped organs the size of a closed fist, located under the ribs and above the waist (back)
  • About 180 liters of blood are filtered by the kidneys every day
  • They control red blood cell production and regulate blood pressure by releasing certain hormones
  • Kidneys remove waste products from the body through urine
  • The formation of kidney stones is more common in men than women
  • The kidneys promote bone health by keeping an active form of vitamin D. to produce
  • Kidney stones are one of the most common kidney diseases with around 12% of the total population in India is estimated to have kidney stones

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are solid crystals that are formed when dissolved minerals build up in the kidneys. The condition mainly occurs when a person has low fluid intake or does too much or too little exercise. Obesity, excessive weight gain, weight loss surgery, foods that are excessive in salt or sugar, and a family history of this condition are some other common causes of kidney stones.

The size of a kidney stone can vary widely. Although most kidney stones are about the size of a chickpea, they can be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a golf ball. While small kidney stones are easily flushed out of the body in the urine (they can cause mild pain), the larger ones, which can cause severe pain and require immediate medical attention, as they can lead to other complications such as urinary problems, Kidney infectionsor kidney failure.

This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about kidney stones, their types, and the causes of kidney stones. We also discuss the risk factors associated with kidney stones, diagnosis, treatment, preventive measures, and home remedies that can be used to keep the condition from getting worse.

Symptoms of kidney stones

It is possible to have kidney stones and not have symptoms until the stones move or get bigger. Commonly manifested symptoms include:

• • Rotating lower back pain that starts as a dull ache and can come and go
  • Pain in the groin and side of the abdomen
  • Blood in the urine
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Frequent need to urinate

When stones block the passage of urine, it can lead to a kidney infection and manifest symptoms, which include:

• • Fever and chills from an infection
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • foul smelling cloudy urine

Types of kidney stones

Kidney stones are divided into four main types, including:

• Calcium stones: Stones, which are formed when the kidney holds back excess calcium that the body does not use and does not flush out. The retained calcium combines with other waste products in the kidney to form a solid crystal known as calcium oxalate.

• Uric acid stones: The formation of these stones is a result of a lack of water in the body. Urine is made up of uric acid, and when the body doesn’t have enough water to dilute this acid, the urine becomes more acidic and leads to uric acid stones in the kidneys.

• Cystine stones: This is a condition in which “cystine” – a substance found in muscles – builds up in the urine. It is rare and generally an inherited condition.

Causes & Risk Factors of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are mainly caused by dehydration. Some other risk factors are

• • A family history of kidney stones
  • Personal history of kidney stones
  • A high protein, high sodium diet with a sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity, diabetesand high blood pressure are some complications that can lead to kidney stones
  • pregnancy
  • Recent digestive system surgery
  • A health condition that affects the process of calcium absorption, such as: B. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or chronic diarrhea

Kidney stone diagnosis

Various tests can reveal the presence of kidney stones, such as:

• • A physical exam to identify the area of ​​pain
  • Urinalysis can reveal the presence of blood or infection from a small sample of urine
  • Image exams such as X-rays, CT or ultrasound. Image tests help identify any type of structural changes in the size of the stone.

Treatment and surgery for kidney stones

The presence of stones in the kidney can cause severe pain and even become a life-threatening condition, leading to complications such as kidney infections and kidney failure. Therefore, it is imperative to take preventive measures and consult a doctor if symptoms occur.

The doctor can recommend Treatment options depending on the severity of the disease. These include:

• • Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL): SWL is one of the most recommended kidney stone treatments that uses ultrasound waves to smash the stone so it can easily pass through the urine.

• • Ureteroscopy: When treating kidney stones with the ureteroscopy method, doctors use lasers that run through a long, thin tube from the urethra to the ureter to break the stones.

Preventive Measures & Home Remedies

To treat kidney stones and prevent their deterioration, a doctor may approve the avoidance of certain foods and recommend some home remedies. Here is a list of them:

Food to avoid

• • Reduce your salt and sugar intake
  • Lower your protein intake, mainly through non-vegetarian foods
  • Do not consume carbonated drinks

Some home remedies include

• • Increase water intake
  • Lemon juice
  • Basil juice
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Pomegranate juice

Note: Some over-the-counter drugs can also help treat the condition, but it’s important to keep in mind that the drugs should be prescribed.

Final thoughts

Kidney stones are a serious complication and should not be left untreated or ignored. If you notice the above symptoms, we recommend that you make an early diagnosis to determine the exact cause of the pain and take steps to avoid serious complications. Preventive measures and home remedies can help you manage the worsening of the condition and possibly even relieve symptoms.

Do you feel the symptoms? Let yourself be tested today!

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