Kidney stones are the solid masses
which are made up of minute crystals. Kidney stones usually originate in
the kidneys, but can also develop anywhere along the urinary tract. The
urinary tract mainly includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and
the urethra. Kidney stones
are one of the most painful medical conditions. The causes of kidney
stones will vary depending on the type of the stone. The various types
of kidney stones depending on their composition include uric acid,
calcium, Sistine and struvite.
What are the risk factors of kidney stones?
The greatest risk factor of kidney stones is making less than one litre of urine per day which is very harmful. Kidney stones are very likely to occur between the age of 20 and 40. The risk factors of developing kidney stones include dehydration, obesity, hyperthyroid conditions, gastric and inflammatory bowel diseases.
What are the risk factors of kidney stones?
The greatest risk factor of kidney stones is making less than one litre of urine per day which is very harmful. Kidney stones are very likely to occur between the age of 20 and 40. The risk factors of developing kidney stones include dehydration, obesity, hyperthyroid conditions, gastric and inflammatory bowel diseases.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Kidney stones cause severe pain. Symptoms of kidney stones may not surface until the kidney stone starts to move down the ureters. The other general symptoms of kidney stones can include:
- Traces of blood in the urine
- Frequent giddiness and vomiting
- Colourless and foul-smelling urine
- Fever
- Urinating after short intervals of time
- Passing very small amounts of urine
How are kidney stones diagnosed?
The diagnosis of kidney stones will require a complete health history analysis and physical examination.
The diagnosis of kidney stones will require a complete health history analysis and physical examination.
- Blood tests are conducted for checking the traces of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid and electrolytes
- Complete urine analysis is compulsorily done to check for the presence of crystals, bacteria, blood and white cells
- Examination of passed stones is done to determine its type
- Abdominal X-rays
- Ultrasound of the kidney
- MRI of the kidneys and abdomen
- CT scan of the abdominal region
How are kidney stones treated?
Treatment is mainly decided according to the type of stone. Some of the treatment options are:
Treatment is mainly decided according to the type of stone. Some of the treatment options are:
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotrispy (ESWL)
- Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy (PCNL)
- Ureterorenoscopic Lithotrispy
- RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) with Holmium Laser
- Open nephro/pyelolithotomy
Dr Mahendra Jain is an eminent and an extremely experienced Urologist
and Andrologist residing in Bangalore. Dr. Mahendra Jain currently
works as a Consultant Urologist at Fortis Hospitals and at Mahaveer Jain
Hospital in Bangalore. At Mahaveer hospitals, they provide
comprehensive urology care which involves cutting edge technology with a
human touch.
