What are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard mineral fragments that form in the kidneys. They are often small enough to exit the body through urine. But if the stones are too large, then medical assistance is necessary to have them broken up or removed. Serious complications from kidney stones are rare when they are addressed early but can become severe if left untreated.
A kidney stone forms due to a concentration of certain minerals in the body that collect in your urine. Dehydration causes your urine to become more concentrated with higher levels of certain minerals. These higher mineral levels make it more likely that a kidney stone will form.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones have several symptoms that are signs that the person suffers from them. These signs should not be ignored. The following are some of those symptoms:
– Pain:
Pain that comes from a kidney stone is severe. It is similar to the pain of childbirth. The pain is on the sides and below the ribs. Kidney stone pain starts suddenly and comes and goes in waves.
– Nausea:
Nausea is a common feeling in people who have a kidney stone. It gets triggered because the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tracts have the same nerve connection.
– Blood in urine:
When one sees red blood in their urine, it is a sign that kidney stones are in the urinary tract.
– Urine Flow Blockage:
If a person cannot urinate, they could be suffering from kidney stones. Often, the stones will slow down when flowing down urine.
– Fever:
A fever along with symptoms of kidney stones is an indicator of the presence of kidney stones.
– Frequent urination:
A recurring need to urinate is another sign of stones in the urinary tract. It is a sign that the stone has entered the lower part of the urinary tract.
Treatment of Kidney Stones:
The treatments for kidney stones are different for different sizes of kidney stones.
Small stones:
Drinking water.
Drinking 1.8 to 3.6 litres a day will dilute your urine and will prevent stones from forming.
Pain relievers:
Passing a small stone can cause discomfort. To relieve the pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium.
Medical therapy:
Your doctor may give you medication to help pass your stone. This type of medication is known as an alpha blocker and it relaxes the muscles in your ureter. It helps the kidney stone pass quickly and less painfully.
Large stones:
Using sound waves to break up stones:
For certain kidney stones your doctor may recommend a procedure known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) .ESWL uses sound waves to create strong vibrations called shock waves that break up the stones into smaller pieces that can pass through your urine.
Surgery to remove large stones. A procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy (nef-row-lih-thot-uh-me) involves surgically removing a kidney stone using small telescopes and instruments inserted through a small incision in your back.
Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney:
This surgical procedure is called percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In it a kidney stone is removed using small telescopes and instruments through a small incision in your back. You will be generally anesthetised during the surgery. You must remain in the hospital for one to two days until you recover.
If you have any of the signs and symptoms of kidney stones you must seek medical attention immediately. At the Kidney Stone Clinic we have a long record of successful treatments of this condition. So, come to us if you want treatment for your kidney stones.
