What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones or renal calculi are solid pieces of material that are created in the kidney by substances in the urine. The size of the stone can vary and can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl.
It is estimated that 10 out of every 100 people, at least once in their lifetime, will have a kidney stone. Kidney stones are usually removed from the body without medical help.
Symptoms of kidney stones
It is common for people affected by kidney stones to have other family members who have also suffered from the same ailment. The usual symptoms are:
- Back pain
- Pain on the side of the spine and under the ribs.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the urine or burning
- Increased need to urinate
What are the causes of kidney stones?
Kidney stones are created when there are elevated levels of calcium, oxalate and phosphorus in the urine. These minerals are usually in the urine and, if low levels are present, they do not create problems.
- Calcium stones: the most common. They occur when part of the calcium not used by the bones and muscles, and which goes to the kidneys, is not eliminated through the urine and accumulates.
- Uric acid stones: they are created when there is excess uric acid in the urine. They originate when too much protein is consumed or after receiving chemotherapy treatments.
- Struvite stones: mostly composed of ammonia and, above all, more common in women.
- Cystine stones: originate due to an inherited disease called cystinuria, although it is rare.
Can it be prevented?
There are a series of recommendations that reduce the possibility of having another kidney stone:
- Drink plenty of fluids: basically water, 6 to 8 glasses a day.
- Control diet: reduce the amount of protein and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
- Diuretic medications: such as hicrochlorothiazide, potassium citrate or allopurinol, each according to the patient’s case and always controlled by a urologist.
Drinking water is the best form of prevention and treatment
What does the treatment consist of?
Treatment will vary according to the size, location and type of stone. Smaller stones can pass through the urinary tract without medical treatment. In this case, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended and pain medication may be prescribed.
Larger stones, those that cause pain or obstruct the urinary tract, may require urgent treatment. There are several options for a urologist to remove the stone or break it into small pieces:
- Shock wave lithotripsy: to break up the stones so they can pass through the urinary tract.
- Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy: the doctor locates the stone and can remove it or break it into small pieces. You usually go home at the end of treatment.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: The stone is removed or, if the stone is very large, a laser is used to break it up. You may have to stay in the hospital for several days.