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Kidney Stone

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Understanding

Kidney Stones

At Preeti Kidney Hospitals, we are dedicated to providing expert care and effective treatment options for individuals suffering from kidney stones.

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Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. These stones can affect any part of the urinary tract, from the kidneys to the bladder. Often, they form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Causes & Symptoms

Several factors can contribute to the formation of kidney stones, including:

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  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to concentrated urine, which allows minerals to crystallize.

  • Diet: High intake of sodium, oxalates, or proteins can increase the risk of stone formation.

  • Genetics: A family history of kidney stones can make you more prone to developing them.

  • Medical Conditions: Certain conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, gout, and urinary tract infections, can contribute to kidney stone formation.

  • Medications: Some medications can increase the risk of developing stones.

Kidney stones may not cause symptoms until they move within the kidney or pass into the ureter. Common symptoms include:

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  • Severe Pain: Intense pain in the side and back, below the ribs, which may radiate to the lower abdomen and groin.

  • Blood in Urine: Pink, red, or brown urine.

  • Frequent Urination: A persistent need to urinate, often in small amounts.

  • Nausea and Vomiting: Resulting from severe pain.

  • Fever and Chills: Indicating an infection.

Diagnosing Kidney Stones

Diagnosing kidney stones typically involves:

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  • Imaging Tests: Such as X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds to detect the presence and size of stones.

  • Urine Tests: To identify substances that promote stone formation.

  • Blood Tests: To assess kidney function and detect excess minerals.

Treatment Options

Treatment for kidney stones varies depending on the size and type of the stone. Options include:

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Conservative Management

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  • Increased Fluid Intake: Drinking plenty of water to help flush out the stones.

  • Pain Management: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers.

  • Medical Therapy: Medications to relax the ureter muscles, facilitating stone passage.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

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​RIRS – Retrograde intrarenal surgery

Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is a procedure for doing surgery within the kidney using a flexible ureteroscope. In RIRS the scope is placed through the urethra (the urinary opening) into the bladder and then through the ureter into the urine-collecting part of the kidney.

Preventing Kidney Stones

Surgical Interventions

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

PCNL is a technique used to remove certain stones in the kidney or upper ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidney to the bladder) that are too large for other forms of stone treatment such as shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy.

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Preventing kidney stones involves lifestyle and dietary changes, such as:
 

  • Staying Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

  • Dietary Adjustments: Reducing intake of salt, oxalate-rich foods, and animal proteins.

  • Medications: For individuals with a history of recurrent stones, medications may be prescribed to prevent future stone formation.

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