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Kidney stones are a commonly reported kidney ailment which can be prevented and cured, but there are certain myths associated with it. This article is an attempt to bust those myths and share accurate information about all aspects of kidney stones from diagnosis to treatment. In simple words, kidney stones are hard deposits consisting of minerals and salts that develop inside your kidneys.
Multiple factors can lead to the formation of kidney stones some most common amongst them could be: obesity, comorbidities, lifestyle, diet, and consumption of specific supplements and drugs. Kidney stones may affect any part of your urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder.
Book an appointment with our expert urologists and nephrologists in Gurgaon at Manipal Hospitals. We have a centre of excellence dedicated to urology wherein our doctors are capable of performing a wide range of kidney procedures.
Causes of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause. There could be several factors that may increase your risk. When the presence of crystal-forming substances like uric acid, calcium, and oxalate increases in the urine the risk of stones increases. The simultaneous absence of substances that prevent the formation of crystals can worsen the condition and aid the formation of stones.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Until a kidney stone moves around or enters one of the ureters(tubes), symptoms are typically not present. When a stone gets stuck in one of these tubes, it may restrict the flow of urine and cause inflammation, pain along with many other symptoms:
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Severe pain below the ribcage on the side and back.
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Radiating discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen.
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Pain that is intermittent and varies in severity.
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Pain and burning sensation while urinating.
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Cloudy or stench-filled pee.
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Urinating more frequently than normal, or urinating infrequently.
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Nausea and diarrhoea.
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Fever
Visit our top nephrology hospital in Gurugram if you are experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms.
Types of Kidney Stones
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Calcium Stones
Calcium stones are made of calcium oxalate, they make up the majority of kidney stones. Our liver produces oxalate every day, but that is not the only source you can also get from food. Oxalate levels can also rise with the consumption of certain nuts, some vegetables, fruits, and chocolate.
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Uric Acid Stones
Losing too much fluid due to any medical condition or consuming too little fluid may give rise to the formation of uric acid stones. Chronic diarrhoea, a high-protein diet, comorbidities like diabetes, metabolic syndrome and genetic factors also increase the risk of uric acid stones.
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Cystine Stones
One of the amino acids that makes up protein and can be found in some foods is cysteine. When the kidneys fail to reabsorb cystine from the urine, this occurs. Urine containing a lot of cystine might lead to the formation of kidney stones.
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Struvite Stones
Struvite Stones are also known as infection stones because they generally begin forming due to urinary tract infections. The bacteria that cause this infection make the urine more alkaline.
Diagnosis of Kidney Stones
An X-ray is prescribed to diagnose kidney stones in cases where there are no evident symptoms. Usually, people get to know about stones, when they feel pain Tests like an ultrasound or a CT scan may be used to identify stone disease.
All these imaging techniques help the medical professional find out the size and location of the stone. All these diagnostic procedures are performed because they offer rapid and accurate results.
Treatment of Kidney Stones
The treatment for kidney stones remains the same in adults and children. Generally, the patient is instructed to increase the water intake as it has been observed that it helps the patient pass them through the urine. Doctors prefer this method over surgery if the size is small and location of the stone is favorable. Surgery is recommended in cases where the stone is too large or is causing infection. Consult with our experienced nephrologist in Gurugram to know more about the treatment.
The formation of kidney stones can be prevented by adopting some healthy habits such as consuming adequate liquids. It will keep the concentration of waste materials in your urine from building up. Your primary fluid intake should be water. Stones may be less likely to develop when the urine is less acidic, hence you must consume more fruits and vegetables to reduce the acidity of the urine. You can cut back on the extra salt you consume in the form of junk food.
Consult our team of experienced urologists and nephrologists in Gurgaon at Manipal Hospitals if you observe any kidney stones symptoms. Our experts can guide you well on every aspect related to it. Visit our blog page to read more about the advancements in the medical world and accurate information about diseases and their treatment.
Consultant - Urologist
Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram
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