The most prevalent health issue nowadays among people is kidney stones. Fever, flank pain, and blood in the urine are the symptoms. The most common cause of stone development, despite the lack of a clear explanation, is decreasing water intake and poor lifestyle choices. If kidney injury results from untreated stones, the kidneys may also sustain damage.
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Kidney stones are solid deposits consisting of minerals and salts that develop inside the kidneys. They are also known as renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis. When urine becomes concentrated, minerals can crystallize and adhere to one another and frequently lead to stones.
Dr. Niren Rao, a leading kidney stone specialist in Delhi at Delhi Urology Hospital, has shared important information related to kidney stone symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
If a kidney stone becomes lodged in the ureters, it may block the flow of urine, causing the kidney to swell and the ureter to spasm, which can be very painful.
Intense, stabbing pain below the ribcage on the back and side
Radiating discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen
Pain that is recurrent and varies in severity
When urinating, there may be irritation or burning.
Red, pink, or brown urine
Cloudy or pungent-smelling pee
A constant need to urinate, or more frequent urination than normal, or urinating infrequently
Nausea and diarrhea
Fever and chills in case of an infection.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones develop when the urine comprises more crystal-forming components than the fluid in the urine can dissolve, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. The conditions for calculi to form are favorable if the urine lacks chemicals that keep crystals from adhering to one another. Other possible contributing factors include inadequate hydration, excessive or insufficient exercise, obesity, weight loss surgery, and a diet high in salt or sugar. Infections and family history may be important factors for some persons.
What are the Types of Kidney Stones and What Diet Increases the Risk of Developing Stones?
Calcium: Represent the majority of kidney stones. The liver produces oxalate every day, and one can also get it from food. The oxalate level of some fruits, vegetables, nuts, and foods like chocolate is high.
Struvite: Urinary tract infections can cause the formation of struvite stones. Occasionally with very few indications or little warning, these stones have the potential to grow swiftly and become extremely huge.
Uric Acid: People with chronic diarrhea or indigestion, those who consume a high protein diet, those who have diabetes or metabolic disease, and those who lose excessive fluid can all develop uric acid stones. The risk of these stones may also be increased by particular genetic conditions.
Cystine: People who have a genetic condition called cystinuria, in which the kidneys expel an excessive amount of certain amino acids, develop these stones.
What Increases the Risks of Getting Kidney Stones?
Personal or family history
Diets high in sodium and proteins
Obesity
Digestive diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and surgeries like gastric bypass surgery
Medical conditions like recurrent UTIs, and hyperparathyroidism.
Certain supplements and medicines like laxatives (excessive usage), calcium-based antacids, medicines for migraine, etc.
How Kidney Stones are Diagnosed?
Blood tests: Blood tests may suggest that one has an excess of uric acid or calcium.
Urine analysis: The excretion of excessive stone-forming minerals or insufficient amounts of stone-preventing chemicals may be revealed by the 24 hr urine collection test.
Imaging: Computerized tomography (CT) with high-speed or dual energy may be able to detect even microscopic stones.
Analysis of the Stones: One might be requested to urinate via a strainer by trapping the stones. The kidney stones' composition will be determined via laboratory analysis. This information is used by the doctor to identify the cause of kidney stones and to develop a plan to stop further stone formation.
Treatment for Kidney Stones in Delhi offered by Dr. Niren Rao:
PCNL: It is a minimally invasive procedure. It can be carried out in the fluence of spinal or global anesthesia and is typically utilized for stones larger than 2 cm. A tiny cut is created on the back or flanks, and then a pathway into the kidney is formed through it, reaching the stone.
Mini PCNL: Small and extremely small PCNL is the actual KEY-HOLE surgery due to improvements in procedures and the miniaturization of devices. Smaller probes and lasers can be utilized in these procedures to extract smaller stones than 8 millimeters
RIRS: In this procedure, a bendable scope is inserted directly into the kidney through the urine route, the bladder, and the kidney. In this treatment, there is no skin incision made. The removal of stones from challenging kidney sites is easier with this.
URS: A firm scope, which is as narrow as a pen, is used to treat stones that are lodged in the ureters. The stone is broken up into smaller pieces using a pneumatic lithoclast or a Holmium laser.
One must immediately contact Dr. Niren Rao for a proper examination if one has any problems related to stones or if they are facing any symptoms of kidney stones.
To know more about kidney stone surgery cost in Delhi, book an appointment now with the expert Dr. Niren Rao!