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
