Understanding Kidney Stones- Causes, Pain Relief, Detection, And Treatment Options

INTRO: Are you experiencing sharp, burning pain that comes and goes in a wave-like and sometimes spasmodic manner? Is your toilet routine painful, too frequent, and malodorous? Do your ribs and sides hurt? If the answer is ‘yes’, chances are that you are suffering from kidney stones. However, there is no need to panic, as kidney stones can easily be removed through surgical and non-invasive treatments, depending on the patient’s condition.

ARTICLE: Before discussing the methods of removing kidney stones, let us try and find out what kidney stones are, how they are formed, symptoms, and treatments available for removing kidney stones.

WHAT ARE KIDNEY STONES?

Kidney stones are hard chunks that form inside a person’s kidney, usually due to a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy or non-conducive dietary habits, medical issues, and sometimes as a side effect of some pills and treatments. Synonymous with renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis, kidney stones are usually formed due to the density of urine and can affect any part of the urinary tract, right from the kidneys to the bladder.

Some symptoms of kidney problems are mentioned below:

1. Sharp, burning waves of pain in the back, sides, or under the ribs
2. Pain while passing urine
3. Changes in the colour of urine
4. Malodorous urine
5. Frequent need to urinate
6. Nausea or vomiting
7. Fever and chills in the case of an infection
8. Pain that travels with the location of the stone

Daunting as it may sound, kidney stones can be removed by invasive and non-surgical treatments, depending on the condition and requirements of a patient. Before we discuss the four methods of treating kidney stones, let’s get a clearer overview of the subject in Hindi, our mother tongue. These and other symptoms of kidney problems, which may vary from one person to another, are often, but not always, a clear indication of the presence of kidney stones.

CAUTION: If you ever experience any symptoms of kidney problems, we suggest you consult your doctor as soon as possible.

किडनी स्टोन क्यों होता है?

आईए जानते हैं कि किडनी स्टोन क्यों होता है या पथरी कैसे होती है। इससे पहले, आईए देखतें हैं कि किडनी स्टोन क्या होता है।

किडनी स्टोन क्या होता है?

सख़्त टुकड़े, जो आमतौर पर गतिहीन जीवन शैली जीने, अस्वास्थ्यकर या गैर-अनुकूल आहार के सेवन के कारण, स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं और कभी-कभी कुछ दवाओं और उपचारों के दुष्प्रभाव के कारण किसी व्यक्ति की किडनी के अंदर बन जाते हैं, उन्हें किडनी स्टोन या गुर्दे की पथरी कहते हैं।

किडनी स्टोन क्यों होता है या पथरी कैसे होती है?

आईए अब जानते हैं कि आख़िर किडनी स्टोन क्यों होता है या पथरी कैसे होती है। नेफ्रोलिथियासिस या यूरोलिथियासिस का पर्याय, गुर्दे की पथरी या किडनी स्टोन आमतौर पर मूत्र के घनत्व के कारण बनती है और गुर्दे से लेकर मूत्राशय तक मूत्र पथ के किसी भी हिस्से को प्रभावित कर सकती है। गुर्दे की पथरी से ग्रस्त मरीज़ों को अक्सर पथरी का दर्द सताता है जिसके निम्न लक्षण होते हैं:

1. पीठ, बाज़ू अथवा पसलियों के नीचे तेज़ दर्द या जलन
2. पेशाब करते समय दर्द अथवा जलन का अहसास होना
3. मूत्र के रंग में बदलाव आना
4. दुर्गंधयुक्त मूत्र
5. बार-बार पेशाब करने की ज़रुरत होना
6. मतली या उल्टी
7. संक्रमण होने पर बुखार और ठंड लगनादर्द जो पथरी के स्थान के साथ बदलता और घटता-बढ़ता है
8. लेकिन पथरी के दर्द का इलाज शल्यचिकित्सा या डॉक्टर द्वारा सुझाई गई दवाओं के सेवन से पथरी या किडनी स्टोन को निकलवा कर भी किया जा सकता है। पथरी का दर्द अगर गंभीर हो तो तुरंत अपने चिकित्सक से संपर्क करें।

    

   HOW TO REDUCE KIDNEY STONE PAIN IMMEDIATELY?

    

   While your doctor may prescribe painkillers for immediate relief, you can reduce pain caused by kidney stones through:

    

   1. Warm compress
   2. Increasing water intake
   3. Consuming calcium- and probiotic-rich foods
   4. Improving blood flow by sleeping on your left side
   5. Drinking juices that are rich in antioxidants and nutrients can help remove bacteria

    

   FOUR METHODS FOR KIDNEY STONE REMOVAL:

    

   There are four methods of removing kidney stones.

    

   NON-INVASIVE METHODS: These do not require surgery to remove kidney stones and include the following:

    

   1. Shockwave Lithotripsy: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is a non-invasive method of removing kidney stones. It is commonly used for treating small or medium-sized kidney stones, which are located with the help of an ultrasound and broken with the help of shockwaves.
   2. Ureteroscopy: This procedure entails using a telescope, which is inserted into the bladder through the urethra and then the ureter.

    

   SURGICAL METHODS:

    

   1. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): The PCNL method is deployed if the kidney stones are too enormous to be treated through shockwave lithotripsy or the failure thereof to redress the issue appropriately. This method involves using a telescope, which is entered into the kidney by an incision at the back.
   2. Robotic-assisted kidney stone removal: Robotic-assisted kidney stone removal: Performed under general anaesthesia, this minimally invasive technique requires a surgeon to use a handheld controller, through which he manoeuvres a scope that helps him locate the kidney stone, break it, and remove it.

    

   HOW TO DETECT KIDNEY STONES?

    

   Kidney stones can be detected through ultrasound, CT scan, blood, and urine tests.

   WHAT SIZE KIDNEY STONE REQUIRES LITHOTRIPSY?

    

   Lithotripsy is best performed on kidney stones less than 2 cm in size.

    

   FAQS:

    

   WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY STONES?

    

   That depends on the size and location of the kidney stones and the patient’s needs.

    

   WHAT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF KIDNEY STONES?

    

   Medical history, lifestyle habits of a person, and factors beyond human control.

    

   HOW CAN I CLEAR KIDNEY STONES?

    

   Treatment, drinking plenty of water, anti-oxidants, and nutrient-enriched juices can help remove kidney stones.

    

   IS A KIDNEY STONE SERIOUS?

    

   Not usually, but only if left untreated.