The occurrence of kidney stones in the human population has seen a rapid rise in the last fifty years or so. According to statistics, the number of patients diagnosed with kidney stones related problems in the USA alone has seen a massive growth of 5% (from 3.8% to 8.8%) from the 1970s to 2000s. It is one of the most primitive and common urinary tract problems that has been around for generations. Although they are not fatal, kidney stones are known to cause enough pain to make your life miserable.
What are kidney stones?
Scientifically kidney stones are known as renal calculi. The process of formation of kidney stones is known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis. They form due to the crystallization of minerals that oversaturate the urine.
Morphology of renal caliculi:
- Colour: yellowish or brownish
- Size: variable; from the size of a salt grain to that of a small pearl.
- Texture: smooth or rough.
Symptoms:
Kidney stones can stay and move around inside your kidney for years without showing any external symptoms. They start causing pain once they block the path of urination. This causes swelling of the kidneys, which affects their filtration.
The most common symptoms include:
- Severe pain below the ribs, in the groins, and around the lower abdomen.
- Intense pain during urination.
- Feeling a constant urge to urinate.
- Cloudy urine, smelling pungent and sometimes pinkish.
- A feeling of vomiting and nausea; maybe feverish sometimes.
- Blood in the urine.
- Men may feel a pricking pain at the tip of their penises.
Causes:
The exact and definite cause of the formation of kidney stones is yet to be stated distinctively. However, researchers have come up with probable causes, such as:
1. Diet:
- A diet rich in animal protein like pork, beef, chicken, fish, etc. increases the level of acids in your body. These help in the rising of uric acid in the body, which in turn forms stones.
- Excessive salt intake causes the formation of calcium oxalate stones.
2. Obesity:
- The secretion of acids in a person’s body is directly proportional to the fat content of the person. The more obese a man gets, the higher is the chances of him suffering from kidney stone (statistically men are more prone to this disease)
3. Less urination:
- When you drink less water, your urine gets concentrated which lead to stone formation.
- Patients with kidney stones are advised to drink 3 litres of water every day
4. Heredity:
- Researches say that if kidney stones have been detected in your family members, chances are you may also have them.
Diagnosis
If you experience pain generating from your groins and gradually escalating towards your abdomen, chances are high that the origin of this pain is the renal calculi. Healthcare professionals will investigate your eating habits and family medical history, and ask you the reports of certain tests, such as:
- Blood test: to check the calcium and uric acid levels in your blood.
- Scan: CT scan of the urinary tract choose the exact location and structure of the stones. These scans help the doctor to formulate the procedure for stone removal.
- Urine test: urine culture takes at least 24 hours to show results. They determine the mineral content of the urine. Doctors pen guess the material of the stones from the urine tests.
- Passed stone analysis: you may be asked to hold your urine in a container for examination of any minute stones that may have passed.
Treatment
A huge number of people are dealing with kidney stone related problems, across the world. This has contributed to loads of research work and successful trials of medicines. This makes its treatment easier and affordable. It can be treated by:
1. Medicinal procedures:
- Tamsulosin: this drug relaxes the muscles of the ureter, thus increasing the diameter of the ureter. This makes the passage of the stone easier.
- Aunty nauseating drugs: these drugs will help you to withstand the painful period until the stone passes.
2. Surgical procedures:
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): this technique uses shock waves to shatter the stones into smaller pieces which can easily pass through urine.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: in this process, a small cut is made through the kidney for removing the stone.
- Ureteroscopy: in this procedure, the doctor navigates Earth in scope through the bladder and ureter and collects the stones in a basket. You will probably be asleep during this procedure, and no cuts will be made.
Types:
Kidney stones can be broadly classified into 4 types:
- Uric acid stones: These stones form when your urine is extremely acidic in nature.
- Calcium oxalate stones: these stones are formed due to excess consumption of salts. Reducing Calcium intake does not decrease the chances of formation of these stones.
- Cystine stones: These stones are extremely rare and occur in people who have a genetic disorder of cystine leakage from their kidneys.
- Struvite stones: These stones are a result of bacterial infection of the urinary tract.
Kidney stones are extremely common in the present day scenario and can be treated very easily unless complexities arise. However, maintaining good food habits, consuming less junk and salt can prevent its formation up to an extent. We advise you to consider medical help as soon as you experience any of the mentioned symptoms.
We, at TriBeCa Care, care about you and your family. Our Home Care is categorically structured to provide the elderly with the support that they deserve. If you have any further query then feel free to reach us. Call us at + 913366064208 or request a callback. Email us at enquiry@newwpsite.tribecacare.com
