Kidney Stone

Kidney Stone Treatment In Ghatkopar

Introduction:

Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside our kidneys. Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage to kidneys if they're recognized and managed well in time.

Symptoms:

A kidney stone usually will not cause symptoms until it moves around within the kidney or passes into one of the ureters. The ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder.

If a kidney stone becomes lodged in the ureters, it may block the flow of urine and cause the kidney to swell and the ureter to spasm, which can be very painful. At that point, you may experience these symptoms:

Here are some factors which may alleviate the chances of kidney stone –
  • Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs.
  • Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
  • Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
  • Pain or burning sensation while urinating
  • Nausea or Vomiting.
  • Fever or chills.
  • Pink, red or brown urine

Seek immediate medical attention to a urologist, if you have any of the above symptoms.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing kidney stones include:

  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water each day can increase your risk of kidney stones. People who live in warm, dry climates and those who sweat a lot may be at higher risk than others.
  • Lack of physical Activity: Lack of exercise leads to accumulation of crystals in the filtering areas of kidney (papilla). They are not flushed by movement and gravity if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Dietary habits: Eating a diet that's high in protein, sodium (salt) and sugar may increase your risk of some types of kidney stones. This is especially true with a high-sodium diet. Too much salt in your diet increases the amount of calcium your kidneys must filter and significantly increases your risk of kidney stones.
  • Obesity. High body mass index (BMI), large waist size and weight gain have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Treatment:

Treatment for kidney stones varies, depending on the type of stone and the cause.

Small stones with minimal symptoms

Most small kidney stones won't require invasive treatment. You may be able to pass a small stone by:

  • Drinking water. Drinking as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.8 to 3.6 liters) a day will keep your urine dilute and may prevent stones from forming.
  • Pain relievers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. To relieve mild pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers.
  • Medical therapy. Your doctor may give you a medication to help pass your kidney stone. This type of medication, known as an alpha blocker, relaxes the muscles in your ureter, helping you pass the kidney stone more quickly and with less pain.

Large stones and those that cause symptoms:

Kidney stones that are too large to pass on their own or cause bleeding, kidney damage or ongoing urinary tract infections may require more-extensive treatment. Procedures may include:

1. Semirigid Ureteroscopy (URS) / Flexible Ureteroscopy (RIRS)

To remove a smaller stone in your ureter or kidney, Urologist may pass a thin lighted tube equipped with a camera through your urethra and bladder to your ureter or kidney

Once the stone is located, special lasers are used to break it into pieces that will pass in your urine. A small tube (DJ stent) is placed in the ureter to relieve swelling and promote healing.

2. PCNL

Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney. A procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) involves surgically removing a kidney stone using small telescopes and instruments inserted through a small incision in your back.

These procedures are done under anesthesia, and are absolutely painless. Patients can move the very next day of surgery and are able to to all their activities.

DJ stents must be removed in 2 to 3 weeks time depending on surgeons preference and type of surgery.