What are Kidney stones? Knock off the symptoms and seek the best treatment

Did you know kidney stone affects one out of every ten people at some point? It is more widespread than you might imagine. In addition, it is not limited to the age bracket. Infants, toddlers, teenagers, and the elderly are all highly susceptible. Therefore, you should prepare and understand its causes, symptoms and preventive measures. Here, we present everything you need to knock off kidney stones and seek the best treatment.

What causes Kidney stones?

As the term suggests, kidney stones are tiny stones that develop inside the kidneys. They are formed when salts and minerals in the urine solidify and build up.

How can I tell if I have kidney stones?

Kidney stones typically pass out of the body when you urinate. However, they can get stuck on their way out. In such a case, kidney stones may result in:

  • Pain in your side or the lower part of your tummy
  • Blood in the urine
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain when you urinate

If you experience any of the above symptoms, your doctor may order an imaging test to detect kidney stones.

What is the treatment for kidney stones?

The treatment option primarily depends on the size, nature, location of the stone and level of discomfort.

If the size of the kidney stone is small, the doctor may advise the following :

  • Stay at home and wait for the stones to pass out when you urinate
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take pain relievers or medications that ease the passing of stones
  • Urinate through a filter to collect the stone when it emerges

On the contrary, if the size of the stone is relatively large and causes severe symptoms, the doctor may recommend the following treatment options :

  • Shock wave lithotripsy: In this non-surgical procedure, a machine breaks up stones into smaller pieces using sound waves.
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: During this surgical procedure, the doctor inserts microscopic tools into the kidney through small holes in your skin( also known as perforations) to remove the stone.
  • Ureteroscopy: This procedure uses a narrow tube that enters your body and exits the same way pee does. At the end of the thin tube, doctors attach tools to break up or remove stones.

What are the warning signs?

  • You have not urinated in over 8 hours.
  • Your body temperature is at least 100.4°F (38°C)
  • You may have chills.
  • Your urine is murky, stinks, or has traces of blood than usual.
  • The pain from a kidney stone is so hurtful that taking pain relievers doesn’t help.
  • Your discomfort persists beyond 1 to 2 weeks.

Drinking a lot of water is the simplest thing you can do. However, based on the type of kidney stone, you may need to alter your diet and avoid specific food items. Your doctor may also prescribe additional medications to prevent the occurrence of kidney stones.

If you experience any symptoms related to kidney stones, don’t delay consulting your doctor. It is necessary to know the size and location of kidney stones. Receiving the proper medical treatment and care is the only way to steer clear of any related medical complications.

For consultation and assistance, you can reach out to us at www.ssbhealthcare.com

To book an appointment, contact us at +91-9540 114 114.