Kidney stones are common and can affect almost everyone. While most of the stones are able to pass on their own, some untreated stones can lead to permanent damage and life-threatening complications.
This blog by Dr. Niren Rao, a renowned kidney stone specialist in Delhi, will take a closer look at what to do if one suspects they have kidney stones as well as what will happen if one leaves their stone untreated. Read on for more detailed insights.
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How Do I know there is a Kidney Stone?
Kidney stones can mimic the symptoms of other conditions. That is why it could be challenging to know whether one has a stone. However, with diagnostic tools and ultrasounds, kidney stones can be identified and measured to determine the best course of treatment. Some of the common signs that indicate the presence of kidney stones include the following:
Back pain
Flank pain
Burning during urination
Frequent urination
Fever or chills
Vomiting
Do All Kidney Stones Require Treatment?
In most cases, kidney stones pass on their own. This is most likely if the stones are 4mm or less in size. However, some stones do require treatment, including those that are:
Bigger than 6 mm
Do not pass on their own, even after 60 days
Causes extreme pain in addition to other symptoms
Planning to undergo kidney stone treatment in Delhi? Make an appointment with Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist, at Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice.
Let’s understand why kidney stones shouldn’t be left untreated.
Kidney Stones Cause Severe Pain: When large kidney stones pass into the ureter, there are chances they may get stuck there. This can cause blockage in the ureter, because of which one may experience kidney stone pain.
Kidney Stones Increase the Risk of UTIs: Kidney stones tend to block the ureters and make them narrow. Urine may build-up due to this, which could increase the strain on the kidneys and the risk of infection.
Kidney Stones Increase the Risk of Infections: At times, the kidney stones can become infected. Fever and chills are the most common signs of such an infection. This is an emergency situation that could also be life-threatening.
Kidney Stones Also Lead to Kidney Failure: If one has a very large kidney stone and leaves it untreated, it could cause permanent damage to the kidneys and could also lead to kidney failure. However, the damage could occur without showing any symptoms. That is why it is vital to consult a kidney specialist.
How Can Kidney Stones Be Treated?
At Dr. Niren Rao’s Urology Practice, the following treatment options are used for eliminating kidney stones:
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy)
PCNL, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy, is the most preferred surgery to eliminate kidney stones. It is performed for stones that are larger than 2 cm in size. During this procedure, a small incision is created in the flank or back, which further leads up to the stone. With the help of a nephroscope, the stones are fragmented, and a DJ stent is placed in the kidney, which gets removed within a week.
MINI PCNL
With technological developments, MINI PCNL is now widely employed to remove kidney stones. This treatment option is used to remove stones that are as small as 7-8 mm using probes and lasers.
Uretero-renoscopy (URS)
There are a few stones that get stuck in the ureter and are treated using a ureteroscope. The ureteroscope passes through the urinary passage, and when it reaches the stones, the stones are broken into smaller pieces with a Holmium laser or a pneumatic lithoclast.
Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS)
During retrograde intrarenal surgery, a ureteroscope is used, which is passed through the urinary passage and then into the kidney. Using a Holmium laser, the kidney stones are fragmented, and no cut is made in the skin. This procedure is considered effective as it helps remove stones that are in difficult locations inside the kidney.
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