Kidney stones Or Renal lithiasis

What are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones (Renal Lithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. They form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Passing kidney stones can be incredibly painful, but they usually cause no permanent damage if found early.

Symptoms

A stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within the kidney or passes into the ureter. Signs include:

• Severe Pain: In the side and back, below the ribs.
• Radiating Pain: Spreading to the lower abdomen and groin.
• Fluctuating Pain: Comes in waves and changes in intensity.
• Urinary Issues: Persistent urge to urinate, pain on urination, or pink/red/brown urine.
• Nausea and Vomiting.

⚠️ EMERGENCY WARNING
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Pain so severe you can't sit still.
• Pain accompanied by fever and chills (sign of infection).
• Blood in your urine.
• Difficulty passing urine.

Types & Causes

[Image of kidney stone types chart]

Knowing the type of stone helps determine the cause and how to prevent it.

1. Calcium Stones (Most Common)

Usually in the form of Calcium Oxalate. Oxalate is a substance made daily by your liver or absorbed from your diet. High doses of Vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery, and metabolic disorders can increase calcium/oxalate in urine.

2. Struvite Stones

These form in response to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). They can grow quickly and become quite large with little warning.

3. Uric Acid Stones

Form in people who don't drink enough fluids, lose too much fluid, eat a high-protein diet, or have gout.

4. Cystine Stones

These form in people with a hereditary disorder (cystinuria) that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids.

Complications

If left untreated, kidney stones can lead to serious issues:

• Blockage: A stone can block the ureter, causing urine to back up into the kidney (Hydronephrosis), which causes swelling and severe pain.
• Infection: A blocked urinary tract is a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to severe kidney infections (Pyelonephritis) or sepsis.
• Kidney Damage: Long-term obstruction or recurrent stones can lead to permanent loss of kidney function.

Diagnosis

Doctors use specific tests to locate the stone:

• Blood Tests: To reveal too much calcium or uric acid.
• Urine Tests: A 24-hour collection test to check for stone-forming minerals.
• Imaging (CT Scan): The gold standard. It can reveal even tiny stones that simple X-rays might miss.

Treatment

Treatment varies based on the size of the stone.

1. Small Stones (Minimal Symptoms)

Most small stones pass without invasive treatment.

• Drinking Water: 2 to 3 quarts a day to flush out the urinary system.
• Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen or Naproxen sodium.
• Medical Therapy: Alpha-blockers relax the muscles in your ureter, helping you pass the stone more quickly and with less pain.

2. Large Stones (Surgical Procedures)

If the stone is too large to pass or causes bleeding/infection, procedures are needed:

Ureteroscopy

• Lithotripsy (SWL): Using sound waves to create strong vibrations that break stones into tiny pieces.
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Surgically removing a kidney stone through a small incision in your back (for very large stones).
• Ureteroscopy: A thin lighted tube with a camera is passed through the urethra to snare the stone or break it apart.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician regarding any medical condition.