Kidney stones (also called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis) are hard deposits of minerals and acid salts, formed inside the kidneys.
Our kidney’s typical function is to get rid of waste from the blood in the form of urine. However, when the accumulation of waste extends to a certain level, hard deposits of minerals, acid salts may occur. Additionally, if there is a lesser amount of fluid inside the body, the waste clumps together and forms stones which in turn are known as KIDNEY STONES.
"EACH AND EACH DAY RENEWS OUR ENERGY, HOPE, AND DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING"
ROOTS OF KIDNEY STONES
Some usual sources and causes of kidney stones.
- When there is decreased fluid intake
- An increased amount of sodium absorption
- High intake of calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin D supplements
- Overweight
- Acquired from family
- Inadequate and out-of-order diet
- High dietary supply of meat protein
- Digestive disease
- Thyroid disorders
- Diabetes and hypertension
- Living in mountainous, desert, or tropical areas.
"WHAT MATTERS IS WHAT LIES WITHIN US"
SIGNS OF KIDNEY STONES
"Our body reacts and responds, our body alerts and its natural"
Some manifestations of kidney stones can be sorted and treated immediately if we are alert enough to notice them.
Common kidney stone symptoms are,
- Aching and discomfort on the sides and below the ribs.
- Urinary tract infection
- Increase in temperature
- Scorching sensation and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Presence of pain on urination
- The pungent or foul smell of urine
- Often a sense of urinating
Always REMEMBER, "These are always some hints that our body tips off." We just need to recognize it!
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE STONE
The types of kidney stones are differentiated by their causes. Some of them are,
- CALCIUM STONES: formed by an increased amount of mineral called oxalate that is found in nuts and vegetables.
- STRUVITE STONE: it’s not common but can be caused due to a urinary tract infection which can increase its size quickly.
- URIC ACID STONES: these are caused due to the less amount of fluid intake or genetic or dietary supplement
- CYSTIC STONES: caused by genetic and flush out the excess amount of certain amino acids.
- XANTHINE STONES: caused by a deficiency of enzymes and xanthine deposits.
- SILICA STONES: caused by medications and supplements of herbal intake.
Comparative incidences of forms of kidney stones
| Calcium oxalate | 86.1% |
| Mixed calcium oxalate and phosphate | 4.9% |
| struvite | 2.7% |
| Uric acid | 1.2% |
| Cystine | 0.4% |
COUNTERMEASURES FOR KIDNEY STONES
The procedure of the treatment mostly depends on the size of the stone inside the kidney.
If it’s relatively smaller in size certain pain medications can help, followed by an accelerated intake of fluids that can excrete the stone through the urinary tract. In case it has enlarged massively, various additional treatments are prescribed, considering the size of the kidney stone.
LITHOTRIPSY: use of shock waves to fragmentize the kidney stones which will be passed through the urinary tract that are under general anesthesia (ESWL-extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) can be finished within an hour.
URETEROSCOPY {also known as basket extraction}: This procedure includes the use of an ureteroscope to find stones, with the help of a laser the stones are broken into chunks and will be passed through the urinary tract. The treatment is conducted while under general anesthesia.
NEPHROLITHOTOMY: Generally the physicians avoids the surgical procedure. In most rare events where surgery is the only way out, it is done with the help of intra corporeal pneumatic lithotripter, by which the stone is removed directly while under general anesthesia. Within two to three days the patient is expected to recover.
Few essential aids and remedy medications for kidney stones.
- For pain relief and infections- narcotic medications
- Uric acid stones- allopurinol
- Diuretics
- Sodium citrate
- Phosphorus solutions
"Prevention is better than pain and treatment"
HOW TO SKIP OUT?
There are few ways to prevent and avoid the critical condition of kidney stones. One of them is a healthy diet and it plays an essential role in such critical situations.
DIETARY TIPS TO AVOID KIDNEY STONES
- Increase the intake of fluid enormously, ideally water.
- Shallow the amount of sodium and calcium intake.
- Avoid oxalate containing foods like:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Tea
- Peanuts
- Salty and sugary foods
- Cold cuts and other processed meats
- Soya foods
- Grapefruit juices
- Water with lemon
- Drink plenty of coconut and barley water
- Green tea
- Low-fat yogurt, milk
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Papayas
- Red and yellow peppers.
WHY DIETARY CONTROL IS ESSENTIAL?
- It is necessarily important as the chances of recurrence remain even after treatment.
- With proper awareness and education, patients can exercise some control over stone disease and reduce their chances of forming stones through dietary modifications and medications.
Now we know more about kidney stones and the dietary tips we must follow to lead a life KIDNEY STONE free. In case you need expert medical advice, you can connect to India’s top medical specialists online from CLINQON INDIA for a fast worry-free consultation.
Stay Informed, Stay Connected…
Thank you for such a useful information!
Really helpful to understand health issues related to Kidney Stones better. Thanks!
Very informative!??
Very informative and written well! Looking forward to reading more about this from the author.
Wow! Thank you for spreading health awareness with us
Detailed explanation. Recommended!
Very good informative.. Thank you dr. Bakya..
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Very informative !! Thank you so much for spreading the awareness!!It was really useful .
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Very informative and concise..
Excellent article and informative…. Well done bakya
Super Informative!! Thanks for the Post…Keep it Up
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That was so awesome to read through this page. very informative and is so easy for any layman to understand it.thank you so much bakya for sharing such good words of wisdom.
Nice Work..
Awesome Post.. Keep Up the Good Work!
Thank you so much for such useful information
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Amazing Article!!!
Wonderful Article! ??
Well written and informative!!
Eye Opener!
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पथरी की समस्या को जड़ से मिटाए ‘पत्थरचट्टा का पौधा’ – पत्थरचट्टा के दो पत्तों का तोड़कर उन्हें पानी से अच्छी तरह से साफ कर लें। फिर सुबह-सुबह खाली पेट गरम पानी के साथ इनका सेवन करें। ऐसा नियमित करने पर पथरी की समस्या से राहत मिलती है।