Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can affect any part of the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the bladder. Stones are often formed with an increased concentration of urine, which allows minerals to crystallise and stick together.
Types of kidney stones:
1.Calcium stone: The most common type, often in the form of calcium oxalate.
2.Struvite stone: It is often formed in response to infections such as urinary tract infections.
3.Uric acid stones: can form in people who do not drink enough water or lose too much water, follow a high-protein diet, or suffer from gout.
4.Cystine stones: They are formed in people with hereditary diseases that lead to excessive excretion of certain amino acids by the kidneys (cystinuria).
Reasons:
1.Dehydration: If you don't drink enough water, urine becomes more concentrated and the risk of stone formation increases.
2.Diet: High intake of protein, sodium and sugar may increase the risk. For example, too much salt in the diet increases the amount of calcium that the kidneys need to filter out, which significantly increases the risk of kidney stones.
3.Medical conditions: diseases such as urinary tract infections, kidney diseases, metabolic disorders and hyperparathyroidism.
4.Family history: The presence of kidney stones in the family history increases the likelihood of developing kidney stones.
Symptoms:
- Severe pain in the side and back under the ribs
- Pain spreading to the lower abdomen and groin area
- Pain that rolls in a wave and varies in intensity
- Painful urination
- Urine is pink, red or brown in color
- Urine is cloudy or foul-smelling
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constant urge to urinate
- Fever and chills if you have an infection
Diagnosis:
- Imaging examination: computed tomography, X-ray or ultrasound to visualize the stone.
- Urine analysis: to identify minerals that form stones and to detect infection.
- Blood test: To identify substances that may contribute to the formation of stones.
Treatment:
1.Medication:
- Painkillers to relieve severe pain.
- Medications that help remove stones from the body.
- Drugs to prevent the formation of stones in the future (for example, thiazide diuretics for calcium stones, allopurinol for urinary stones).
2.Lifestyle and home remedies:
- Drink plenty of water: constant fluid intake helps to cleanse the urinary system.
- Dietary changes: reduction of sodium and animal protein intake.
3.Medical procedures:
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (UUVL): With the help of sound waves, the stone can be divided into small fragments and excreted in urine.
- Ureteroscopy: A thin and flexible tube with illumination and a camera for detecting and removing stones.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A very large stone is surgically removed through a small incision in the back.
- Parathyroid surgery: If the stone is caused by hyperactivity of the parathyroid gland.
Prevention:
1.Hydration: Drink enough water to keep urine diluted.
2.Meal adjustment:
- Limit your intake of salt and animal proteins.
- Eat foods rich in calcium, but avoid excessive amounts of calcium supplements.
3.Medicines: If you are prone to the formation of certain types of stones, your doctor may prescribe medications to help control the levels of minerals and salts in your urine.
Conclusion:
Kidney stones are very painful and can cause serious complications if left untreated. Understanding the types, causes, and treatments of kidney stones can help you manage them and prevent the formation of kidney stones. If kidney stones are suspected, it is important to drink enough water, follow a balanced diet and consult a doctor.
