Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones Treatment & Diagnostics in Karol Bagh, Delhi

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, urolithiasis and nephrolithiasis, are hard masses made up of salt and minerals that are formed inside your kidneys. Although most often found in the kidneys, kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract, consisting of the ureters, bladder and urethra.

In most cases, kidney stones develop when your urine becomes more concentrated, allowing minerals and salt to crystalize and form hard masses.

Passing kidney stones through your urine can cause intense pain. However, when diagnosed in the early stages, severe damage to the urinary tract can be avoided. Hence, if you experience any discomfort or pain during urination, consult a kidney stone doctor near you.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

Usually, kidney stones cause no symptoms till they move around in your urinary tract and pass into the ureters. If the kidney stones get lodged into your ureter, they can block the flow of the urine. This can cause your ureters to spasm and kidneys to swell up, which can be painful. If this happens, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Severe pain in the back, side and below your ribs
• Pain in the lower abdomen
• Fluctuating pain
• Blood in urine
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Urinating in small amounts
• Foul-smelling or cloudy urine
• Nausea or vomiting

What causes kidney stones?

Kidney stones have no definite causes as such. However, certain factors can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. These include:

• Dehydration
• Obesity
• A diet with high levels of salt or glucose
• Inflammatory bowel diseases that can increase calcium absorption in your body
• Consumption of certain medications, such as antiseizure drugs, triamterene diuretics or calcium-based antacids
• Gastric bypass surgery

When do you need to consult a doctor?

Consult a kidney stone specialist in Delhi if you:

• Notice blood in your urine
• Experience intense pain while urinating
• Find it difficult to sit still or in a comfortable position

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Karol Bagh, New Delhi.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

What are the treatment options available for kidney stones?

The standard treatment options for kidney stones include:

Small stones that cause minimal symptoms:

• Consumption of fluids
  Drinking about 1.8 to 3.6 liters of water every day can help reduce your risk of developing kidney stones. Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, make sure that you drink enough fluids in a day, preferably water, to produce clear urine.
• Pain relievers
  If pain is one of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend pain relievers to help relieve the symptoms. The pain relievers can include naproxen sodium and ibuprofen.
• Medical therapy
  Your doctor may recommend medical therapy to help the kidney stones pass from your urinary tract. These medications, also known as alpha-blockers, help relieve the muscles of your ureters. This, in turn, makes it easier for the kidney stones to pass through your urinary tract without causing too much pain.

Large kidney stones that cause intense pain:

• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
  ESWL uses sound waves to create vibrations that help break down the kidney stones into tiny pieces. This procedure makes it easier for kidney stones to pass through your urine.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
  Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing kidney stones using tiny telescopes and instruments. Your surgeon will create a small incision on your back and insert the tools to take out the stones.
  This procedure may be recommended if ESWL fails to work in your case.

Conclusion

The key to preventing kidney stones is drinking plenty of fluids and staying hydrated. This will increase the amount of urine you pass every day, thereby avoiding kidney stones. However, if you experience symptoms that worry you, consult a kidney stone specialist in Delhi.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-stones

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755