Kidney Stone Formation and Treatments

Kidney Stone Formation and Treatments

Crystal solid deposits of mineral salts present in urine form kidney stones. There are several causes involved in the formation. And kidney stones affect any part of the urinary tract. Stones forms when the urine is more concentrated. The crystals stuck together. And it attracts other substances.

kidney stones

From a survey and study report, we get to know that the diet of the Indian population according to the geographic area is one of the many reasons. 12% of Indians are prone to the kidney stone. In addition to that, 50% population among this 12% are severely affected by renal malfunctioning. 

Causes of Kidney Stone Forming:

An unplanned diet is one of the main reasons for forming crystals. Other reasons include drinking less water, eating much sugar or salts, high obesity, poor health management, or sometimes heredity plays a role for somebody. Over intake of fructose in table sugar can increase the chance of Kidney stone forming.

There are four main crystal-forming substances. They are as follows:

  1. Calcium Stones: Calcium oxalates deposits are most common for the formation stones. Some fruits like berries, figs, leafy vegetables like spinach have a high content of calcium oxalates. However, calcium concentrate and enough fluid intakes reduce the risk of kidney stone forming. Some surgeries like bypass surgery, dietary factors, and metabolic malfunction are the main reason for forming calcium deposit stones. Calcium stones may also form calcium phosphate.
  2. Struvite Stones: The formation of struvite stones is in people with Urinary Tract Infections. Large in size, struvite stones are the result of kidney infection. One may cure it by treating the kidney infection.
  3. Uric Acid: Uric Acid stone is the second most common type of stone. It commonly occurs in people with gout, diabetes, and obesity. A diet full of purine can increase the level of purine in urine. It is a colorless substance found in animal proteins like organ meat and shellfish.
  4. Cystine Stones:Cystine stones are rarer than others. The reason behind the stone formation is cystinuria. Cystinuria causes amino acid cysteine to leak through kidneys to urine. And it can form generation wise.

Symptoms of Kidney Stone Forming you must know:

Kidney stones are various in sizes. It may be a pebble or like a golf ball. People with stones can feel severe pain when the stone moves down to the ureter. Here are some symptoms that may indicate you have a stone in your kidney.

kidney stones
  • Pain in one or both sides of the abdomen and back.
  • Blood in urine
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chills
  • Frequent need to urinate

Important to note, small stones in the ureter may not feel pain or any symptom while passing through urine.

Diagnosing Kidney Stones:

A doctor will suspect and recommend some diagnostic tests for identification. Here are some diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend:

  • Blood Tests
  • Urine Testing
  • Computerized Tomography(CT) Scan
  • MRI scan of kidneys
  • Abdominal X-rays

Treatments

After diagnosing the type of kidney stones, a doctor or expert can suggest you either medication or surgery.Surgeries include Shock-wave Lithotripsy, Ureteroscopy, or Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

kidney stones
  • Lithotripsy: Shock-wave lithotripsy mainly uses sound waves to break stones so that the small pieces can easily pass through the ureter and bladder.
  • Ureteroscopy: In this method, the expert uses a tool to remove a stuck stone from the ureter or bladder.
  • Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: It is also called Tunnel Surgery. A surgeon removes the stone through a small cut in your back.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

How much time requires removing my kidney stones?

Answer: 

Generally, small stones remove within 1-2 weeks without any symptoms. Larger stones take 2-3 weeks with medication. And the largest of the stones may not remove up to 4 weeks and require surgery or recommended treatment by the doctor.

How to prevent kidney stone-forming?

Answer: 

A proper diet with sufficient fluid is the key to living a healthy life and preventing stone forming. Fruit juices, citrate fruits reduce the risk. Regular exercise helps build healthy metabolism that prevents the disease. If you already have or know about stones in your kidney, you must follow the doctor’s advice.

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