Kidney Stones Treatment in Bangalore

What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain and discomfort.

Symptoms

Kidney stones that remain within the kidney may not cause any symptoms. If they move into the ureter (the tube that leads to the bladder), they can cause several symptoms:

Severe flank pain
Blood in the urine
Frequent urination, burning with urination
Nausea, vomiting
Occasionally, fevers and chills if associated with a urinary infection

Causes

Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake can lead to concentrated urine, increasing the risk of kidney stone formation.
Diet: Consuming foods high in oxalate, salt, sugar and animal protein can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Excessive supplementation of vitamin C or vitamin D can promote stone formation but interestingly a diet low in calcium can also promote stone formation.
Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as hyperparathyroidism or urinary tract infections can increase the likelihood of kidney stone development.
Genetics: A family history of kidney stones may predispose individuals to develop them.

Diagnosis

Stones that are within the kidney are often found incidentally on screening ultrasounds of the abdomen/pelvis. In the case of an obstructing stone, a CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis is usually required by the urologist to identify the exact location of the stone in the urinary system.

Patients who have had several kidney stones should undergo a ‘Metabolic Stone Work-up’ to identify the chemical imbalance in their urine that is resulting in stone formation. This requires blood and urine testing.

Treatment

Treatment for kidney stones aims to alleviate symptoms, clear the obstructing stone from the urinary system, and prevent recurrence.

Treatment of obstructed stone: Pain management, plenty of fluid intake, and, in certain cases, a urologic procedure to remove the stone.
Prevention of further stones: Dietary modifications and occasionally medications, depending on the type of stone.