Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatment for Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hardened deposits in the kidneys that can form anywhere along the urinary canal.

"You may not realise you have kidney stones until they produce pain.This occurs because the stones may have gotten into the ureter or elsewhere in the urinary tract." 

Kidney Stones Symptoms

Intermittent and strong pain in the back or side of the abdomen is the most typical sign of kidney stones. You may have a strong desire to pass urine but be uncomfortable while doing so.

People may also suffer the following symptoms as a result of kidney stones:

• Urine with blood
• Nausea and vomiting

Kidney stones are more common in men than in women, and they can affect anyone between the ages of 20 and 50.

Kidney stone diagnosis

To determine the presence of stones, your doctor will recommend blood and urine testing.

A high quantity of uric acid (a waste product seen in urine) suggests the presence of stones.

The 24-hour urine collection tests are used to see if you're passing stone-forming minerals, which are necessary for their production.

A non-contrast CT scan may be recommended based on the test results.

Causes that may exist

"A lack of fluid intake is one of the key causes of kidney stone formation.

"If you don't drink enough water, your urine will become quite concentrated." This can cause uric acid and calcium oxalate crystals to develop, which can then clump together to form stones."

Kidney Stones Risk Factors

You may be at risk for kidney stones if you have:

• Kidney stones run in the family
• Obesity
• Blood pressure that is too high
• Calcium deficiency with a diet high in salt and protein but low in calcium
• Treatment for kidney stones in those who have a sedentary lifestyle

Treatment for kidney stones is determined by the size of the stone.

If the stones are little (5-6 mm), you will be encouraged to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water each day in order to pass them while urinating.

Some medications will be given to you to help you pass the stone and lower your uric acid levels in the blood. Dietary adjustments may also be suggested.

Kidney Stone Home Remedies

"Consult your urologist before using any 'home cures' promoted on the internet, as they may not be scientifically shown to be beneficial .

Here are some safe home cures to try:

• Drink plenty of water: The simplest thing you can do (to prevent kidney stones from returning) is to make sure your urine is pure by drinking plenty of water on a daily basis. Urine that is dark yellow or brown in colour indicates that you are not getting enough water.
• Lemon juice is high in citric acid, which aids in the dissolution of kidney stones as well as the discomfort associated with passing them.
• Drink pomegranate juice: Pomegranates are high in antioxidants and have numerous health advantages. It not only lowers the acid content of your urine, but it also lowers your chances of developing kidney stones in the future. It's a natural detoxifier that aids in the removal of pollutants that cause kidney stones. You can drink its juice as much as you want during the day.

Large Kidney Stones Treatment

If the stone is huge, you will almost certainly be unable to pass it on your own and will need medical help.

ESWL is one of the treatments for big kidney stones (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy). Sound waves are employed to create intense vibrations that break the stones into tiny bits in this operation. They will be able to easily cross through this manner.

"ESWL can cure kidney stones up to 2 cm in diameter.

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) is a method used to treat stones larger than 2 cm that are resistant to conventional forms of stone therapy.

"A minor 1 cm incision is made in the patient's back during this treatment. There is a tube there through which a small telescope is passed. This aids in the discovery of the stone, its breaking up, and the removal of the fragments from the body.

Most kidney stones are small and pass via urine quickly, but if they stay inside the body for too long, they can grow in size and cause an emergency scenario.