Kidney stones - Symptoms, causes, types, and treatment-wellsun medicity

 What is Kidney

A kidney stone is a hard object that is made from chemicals in the urine. There are four types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine. A kidney stone may be treated with shockwave lithotripsy, uteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithomy or nephrolithotripsy. Common symptoms include severe pain in lower back, blood in your urine, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, or urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

Urine has various wastes dissolved in it. When there is too much waste in too little liquid, crystals begin to form. The crystals attract other elements and join together to form a solid that will get larger unless it is passed out of the body with the urine. Usually, these chemicals are eliminated in the urine by the body's master chemist: the kidney. In most people, having enough liquid washes them out or other chemicals in urine stop a stone from forming. The stone-forming chemicals are calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate.

Symptoms

Some kidney stones are as small as a grain of sand. Others are as large as a pebble. A few are as large as a golf ball! As a general rule, the larger the stone, the more noticeable are the symptoms.

The symptoms could be one or more of the following:

·         severe pain on either side of your lower back

·         more vague pain or stomach ache that doesn't go away

·         blood in the urine

·         nausea or vomiting

·         fever and chills

·        Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy

The kidney stone starts to hurt when it causes irritation or blockage. This builds rapidly to extreme pain. In most cases, kidney stones pass without causing damage-but usually not without causing a lot of pain. Pain relievers may be the only treatment needed for small stones. Other treatment may be needed, especially for those stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications. In severe cases, however, surgery may be required.

How common are kidney stones?

Each year, more than half a million people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems. It is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.

The prevalence of kidney stones in the United States increased from 3.8% in the late 1970s to 8.8% in the late 2020s. The prevalence of kidney stones was 30% The risk of kidney stones is about 27% in men and 16% in women. Other diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity may increase the risk for kidney stones.

What are the Causes

Possible causes include drinking too little water, exercise (too much or too little), obesity, weight loss surgery, or eating food with too much salt or sugar. Infections and family history might be important in some people. Eating too much fructose correlates with increasing risk of developing a kidney stone. Fructose can be found in table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

The causes of kidney stones include inadequate water intake, irregular exercise (either excessive or insufficient), obesity, weight loss surgery, and diets high in salt or sugar. Additionally, family history and infections can play significant roles for some individuals. A notable correlation exists between high fructose consumption—found in table sugar and high fructose corn syrup—and an increased risk of developing kidney stones.

Types of stones:

There are four main types of

Calcium oxalate: The most common type of kidney stone which is created when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine. Inadequate calcium and fluid intake, as well other conditions, may contribute to their formation.

Uric acid: This is another common type of kidney stone. Foods such as organ meats and shellfish have high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines. High purine intake leads to a higher production of monosodium urate, which, under the right conditions, may form stones in the kidneys. The formation of these types of stones tends to run in families.

Struvite: These stones are less common and are caused by infections in the upper urinary tract.

Cystine: These stones are rare and tend to run in families. What are Cystine Stones?

Treatment

Treatment for kidney stones is similar for both children and adults, often starting with an increased intake of water to encourage the stone to pass naturally. Doctors typically prefer to avoid surgery, and may prescribe medication to reduce urine acidity. However, if a stone is too large, obstructs urine flow, or indicates infection, surgical intervention may be necessary. Noninvasive shock-wave lithotripsy uses high-energy sound waves to break the stones into smaller fragments for easier passage. Ureteroscopy involves inserting an endoscope through the ureter to retrieve or destroy the stone, while percutaneous nephrolithotomy or nephrolithotripsy may be employed for larger or more complicated stones.

Why do doctors examine the contents of thestone?

There are four main types of kidney stones, and analyzing them can provide insight into their formation and how to mitigate the risk of recurrence. The most prevalent type is calcium stones, which are typically a result of excess calcium buildup combining with waste products like oxalate, leading to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. While calcium is a natural part of a healthy diet, individuals with stones often retain too much calcium. Other less common stones include struvite stones, formed from magnesium and ammonia due to infections, and uric acid stones, which arise from monosodium urate crystals and may be linked to obesity and dietary habits. The rarest variety, cystine stones, tend to have a hereditary component.

Prevention

To prevent kidney stones, it's crucial to stay well-hydrated by drinking enough fluids, primarily water, aiming for more than 12 glasses a day; your urine should be light yellow to clear. Limit consumption of sugary drinks and manage hydration levels during exercise or hot weather. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables helps produce less acidic urine, reducing stone formation risk, while limiting animal protein can further aid prevention. Reducing excess salt is essential, as many processed foods, like sandwich meats and canned soups, contain high sodium levels. If you're overweight, achieving a healthy weight is important, but avoid high-protein, crash diets that can increase stone risk; consult a registered dietitian for tailored dietary advice. Despite concerns about calcium stones, consuming dairy actually helps prevent them by binding oxalate, so adequate dietary calcium is beneficial. While some herbs claim to prevent stones, there is insufficient evidence supporting their effectiveness. If you've had a stone or are at risk, consult a healthcare professional to discuss dietary changes based on your medical history and eating habits. 

 Consult  wellsun  medicity discuss your risk factors and develop a personalized plan to reduce your risk.

Wellsun Medicity Multispecialty Hospital

www.wellsunmedicity.com

Dr. Neeraj Agarwal

MBBS (KGMU) MS General Surgeon

M.ch Urologist, Kidney Transplant Surgery   

Call:  +91-8810787432