Kidney Stones: Signs And Symptoms

Why is Kidney Health important?

Kidneys are the filtration units of the body which help clean out the fluid wastes from the body. This is important for a sound body and mind. Water balance or osmotic balance of organs is also maintained with the help of kidneys. Thus, maintaining kidneys in good health is crucial for overall well-being. 

Multiple factors can lead to the dampening of kidney health. One of them being kidney stone formation. Kidney stones may affect any part of your urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder. 

Types of Kidney Stones 

Here are 4 types of kidney stones:

• Calcium Stones

Calcium stones are made up of calcium oxalate, they make up the major chunk 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 increase with the consumption of certain nuts, vegetables, fruits, and chocolate. 

• Uric Acid Stones

Losing too much fluid due to any medical condition or consuming too little fluid may give rise to uric acid concentration in the body. This can lead to the formation of uric acid stones. Common risk factors are - Chronic diarrhoea, a high-protein diet, comorbidities like diabetes, metabolic syndrome and genetic factors that also increase the risk of uric acid stones. 

• 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, we get cysteine deposits. Urine containing a lot of cystine might lead to the formation of kidney stones. 

• Struvite Stones

Struvite Stones are also known as infection stones because they generally begin forming as a result of urinary tract infections. The bacteria that cause this infection make the urine slightly more alkaline.

Common Risk Factors for the Formation of Kidney Stones

Common risk factors for the formation of Kidney Stones are: 

• Obesity

• Dehydration

• Overconsumption of sugary or salty foods.

• Comorbidities

• Lifestyle

• Diet

• Consumption of specific supplements.

• Medicinal Drugs.

Book an appointment with our expert doctors at the Stone Clinic in Baner at Manipal Hospitals. We have a centre of excellence for Renal Sciences where nephrologists and urologists - expert doctors are equipped with the latest medical technologies to diagnose and treat your condition in the best of your interest

Causes of Kidney Stones 

Kidney stones are clumps of wastes or salts found in the body which stick together and form stone-like hard deposits. When the presence of crystal-forming substances like uric acid, calcium, and oxalate increases in the urine the risk of stones increases. These stones may stick together & form large clumps which could cause rupture or blockage of internal organs.  

Consult our renal science hospital in Baner if you want to learn more about kidney stones.    

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Minor stones usually do not cause any noticeable symptoms. When a kidney stone moves around or enters one of the ureters (tubes), it causes noticeable signs and symptoms of discomfort. When a stone gets stuck in one of these tubes, it may restrict the flow of urine and cause inflammation, pain along many other Kidney stones symptoms as listed below.

• Severe pain below the ribcage on the side and back.

• Radiating discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen.

• Pain that is intermittent and varies in severity.

• Pain and burning sensation while urinating.

• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.

• Urinating more frequently than usual, or urinating infrequently.

• Nausea. 

• Diarrhea.

• Fever (In case of internal infection). 

Consult our team of experienced Renal Science experts in Baner at Manipal Hospitals in case you observe any symptoms of kidney stones. Our experts can guide you around the latest surgery procedures around stone removal based on your clinical history and health needs. 

Tips for Kidney Health

• Keep Hydrated  - Drinking plenty of water and fluids such as coconut water, and fresh fruit juice and eating fruits and vegetables rich in water content is a good way to keep hydrated.

• Reduce Alcohol - If you are habitual of consumption, limit your intake of alcohol.

• Regulate caffeine and sugary drinks - Refined sugars, sugary drinks and caffeinated beverages lead to water loss from the body and hence should only be consumed in moderation. 

• Snooze don't lose - Getting a good amount of regular sleep and rest is important to maintain good health.

• Maintain a healthy body weight - A healthy body weight is important, any massive shifts in body weight put the vital organs under stress.

• Reduce Stress - Exploring stress-reducing activities will help improve kidney health. Stress is unhealthy for kidney function as it directly impacts blood pressure.

• Manage your health - If you are a person experiencing other health conditions or are on medication/ treatment, you must take good care of your health and manage your condition so that it doesn’t impact your kidney. 

Diagnosis of Kidney Stones

Kidney health is best diagnosed by a clinician after making an assessment of your physical health and other medical reports. Your doctor would recommend a blood test, a urine test, KFT and X-ray, USG or CT if they suspect you to be experiencing symptoms of Kidney stones. These tests help rule out the possibility of other infections. 

Numerous imaging techniques help the medical professional find out the size and location of the stone. Invasive and non-invasive diagnostic procedures are performed to accurately assess the location & size of the stone and extract it with minimal impact on the body. 

Treatment of Kidney Stones

The Kidney stones treatment depends on the size of the kidney stone and the physical state of the patient. Our expert doctors at Manipal Hospitals assess your overall health and then help you get well with the best possible medical treatment fit for your body. 
 Generally, the patient is instructed to increase the water intake as it helps reduce the salt concentration and may help solubilize the salt deposits of the stones. Doctors might also prescribe some medicine to lessen the acidity of your urine.  If the stone size is significantly big and causes some major symptoms, then doctors may recommend a surgical procedure to relieve the patient of all discomfort.

For any further queries about kidney health, consult our expert nephrologists or a Kidney specialist in Pune at Manipal Hospitals. Book an appointment at our dedicated stone clinic or consult online for ease with our expert consultants.