In recent times, along with the likes of obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol, kidney stones have also been on the rise, becoming a major health concern. In India alone, the expectancy of kidney stones has seen a marked increase, with nearly 12% of the entire population expected to have urinary stones. But what are kidney stones, and how to deal with them? Here is all you need to know about the subject.
What are kidney stones and what causes them?
Kidney stones are nothing but crystallized waste minerals and salts deposited in the kidneys. To elaborate a little more, kidneys are the organs in our bodies that help remove the waste materials through urine. In case certain wastes are present in an excessive amount, or there is a lack of fluid in the body, these wastes often crystallize and form what we call ‘kidney stones’. Though these stones are formed in the kidneys, they are prone to be found in any part of the urinary system.
The causes of kidney stones are varied, and may range from lifestyle issues to genetic causes. Some of the most widely reported factors that increase chances of developing stones are:
- Excessive weight or obesity
- Protein and sugar rich diet or low water intake
- Personal or family history of having kidney stones
- Intestinal surgeries of polycystic kidney disease
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Symptoms of stones
Kidney stones may cause none to very evident symptoms, depending on their stage of formation or location. A small stone within the kidney may not cause any discomfort; however, the larger ones may get lodged in the urinary tract and block the passage of urine, causing considerable problems. The characteristic symptoms of stones are as follows:
- Pain in below the ribs or lower abdomen with varying intensity. The pain may shift as the stone gets passed from place to place
- Experiencing pain or burning while urinating
- Foul smelling urine often with blood
- Frequent urination in small amounts
- Nausea, vomiting and fever
Permanent solution to kidney stones
Kidney stones can be tackled by a range of treatments, depending on the size and composition of the stone as determined by blood and urine tests, or scans.
- For small stones: Small stones with little to no symptoms are mostly passed through the urinary system by drinking lots of fluids, as well as some pain-relieving pills.
- For larger stones: Stones too large to pass through urine are more damaging and need advanced treatments. These can be any of the following.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy: In this method, sound waves create vibrations or shockwaves to break the stone into smaller pieces that may be pushed out through the urinary tract. The procedure, performed under anaesthesia, lasts below an hour, and may cause subsequent bleeding as and when the stones get passed out.
- Ureteroscopy: In case of a relatively small stone, a tube-shaped instrument is inserted through the bladder to find it. It can either be retrieved by the doctor or broken at the location to pass it through urine later on.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Reserved for really large stones, this method involves taking out the stone surgically, and requires the patient to be hospitalized for a few days.
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Read Also – Primary Symptoms of Kidney Stones That You Need to Know
