Kidney Stones Treatment

What is the function of kidneys?

Kidneys filter out waste matter and fluids from blood. That waste is sent to excretion organs and passed out of the body. When the amount of fluids are less in the body (say,a person is not drinking enough water), there will be more solid waste that gets stuck inside the kidney. This waste turns into stone like structures resulting in Kidney Stones.

How do you know if you have stones in your kidneys? (Symptoms)

Small and tiny stones can be found in many people and the body ejects it without any problems. If the stones are bigger in size, they get stuck and the body will not be able to eject them out. In such cases, the person can experience any or all of the following symptoms:

1. Pain when urinating
2. Pain in lower back or abdomen area
3. Blood in urine
4. Nausea or Vomiting.

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially blood in urine with sharp pain in your lower back, you must immediately see a good urologist in your area. Urologists at GAURI – Urogynecology Clinic have been treating kidney stones with advanced technologies for both men and women and highly affordable cost.

What causes kidney stones in a healthy person?

“Did you know that more men suffer from kidney stones than women?”

While that’s an established fact, there are other conditions that can lead to formation of Kidney stones in another wise healthy individual.

1. Drinking not enough water
2. Hereditary – if anyone in your family had kidney stones
3. If you had kidney stones before, they are likely to come back.
4. If your diet is very high in protein, sodium or sugars
5. If you are overweight or obese
6. If you had a gastric bypass surgery or other intestinal surgery
7. If you have any kidney disease
8. If your urine has lots of cystine, oxalate, uric acid, calcium or proteins
9. If you have swelling or irritation in bowels
10. They can form due to any medication that might be taking.

Diagnosis and removal of kidney stones:

Your urologist may ask you to take a urine test, CT Scan, blood test, X-ray whichever he/she thinks are required. Once he/she determines the size of the stone, if they are small, pain medication may be administered and the person will be advised to drink more fluids and water.  This will flush out the small stones.

If the kidney stones are large, one among the following treatments may be done to remove them:

1. Shockwave Lithotripsy

   This treatment uses shock waves that are passed through the kidneys. They break the stones into smaller pieces that can be passed through urine. This treatment is done under general anesthesia and may take 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is done as an out-patient treatment.

2. Treatment using Uteroscopy

   A long tube like object is used to remove the stones. If the stones are large, then a laser will be used to break the stones into smaller pieces and then removed using the tube. Small pieces may either be removed or be left and allowed to pass through urine.  This treatment is also done under general anesthesia.

3. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

   In rare circumstances, this procedure will be followed. A tube will be inserted directly into the kidney and the stones will be removed. This treatment needs hospitalization for 3 to 4 days.

Preventing Kidney Stones:

1. Diet – Make sure your diet doesn’t contain lot of sodium or protein. If you are working out and taking protein supplement, you must be aware that this can lead to kidney stones formation.
2. Drink lot of fluids – Drink lot of fluids and water. Minimum of 4 liters of water is advised to be healthy.

In any case, you must talk to your urologist for specific advice on what to eat and how much fluids you should drink to stay healthy. Also, you need to inform him/her about any other medication that you may be using, so that he/she can let you know if that medication is causing the formation of stones in your kidneys.