Understanding Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Notably, chronic kidney stones can be a burden as they can occur frequently and be extremely painful. Mineral overload from the urine form crystals which serve as bones to the stones. Though, greatly varying in cross-section, composition, and physical dimensions all kidney stones emerge with one common attribute: discomfort along with it’s multilateral harmful consequences. This blog will help you learn about the various symptoms of kidney stones, their signs and treatments.

Definition of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones is considered abnormal due to excess amounts of calcium, bicarbonate, uric acid, sodium, cysteine, and ammonium phosphate that are deposited in the kidneys in the regional form of sand to golf sizes ranging crystals. Over time if calcium, oxalate, and acid concentration in urine is not controlled, the stones and serving the form and adding up layers of builds crystals.

Although most people recognize that kidney stones can cause a lot of pain, some may have small stones that offer no additional symptoms. In certain circumstances, these stones can be passed out of the body without any medical attention. Nonetheless, bigger stones have the potential to obstruct the urinary tract which leads to pain, infection, and bleeding, among other issues, making it a worrisome scenario.

Kidney Stones Causes: What Can Trigger Them?

In order to prevent or control kidney stones, it is important to know what causes them. Alterations in lifestyle, diet, and medical conditions along with family history can be potential risk factors for the formation of kidney stones. Some of the causes that play an important part are given below:

1. Dehydration: This is the most common factor that leads to the appearance of kidney stones. When a certain amount of water is not consumed, urine gets concentrated enough for the minerals to crystallize and eventually form stones.
2. Diet: A diet rich in animal protein is some of the risk factors along with an excess of sodium and sugar consumption that increases the chances of getting kidney stones. A diet full of spinach or nuts that contain oxalate can increase the chances of stone formation especially in those prone to developing oxalate stones.
3. Obesity: Excessive weight may lead to an increased amount of calcium and oxalate in the urine as well as a potential risk of developing kidney stones.
4. Medical Conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, and gout are more liable to develop complications of kidney stones. Diabetic kidney disease patients also have an increase the incidence of kidney stones.
5. Family History and Genetics: Family history of stones increases the incidence of kidney stones. Some people suffer from hereditary disorders such as cystinuria, which makes them more prone to form stones.
6. Other Risk Factors: Some medications, cystic inflammatory bowel diseases, or extended periods of bed rest can contribute to the development of kidney stones.

Kidney Stones Symptoms: How To Diagnose Kidney Stones

If the stone is large enough to block the urinary tract, the symptoms of kidney stones are different. Most small kidney stones may go unnoticed while passing, larger stones, on the other hand, have a multitude of symptoms why an individual may seek medical attention. To name a few, the most common symptoms are:

1. Severe Pain: A warning sign of having kidney stones is having pain as well, and this pain is rather extreme when compared to other conditions. The pain comes in waves, It appears, and disappears in a rhythmic wave like motion. This is referred to as renal colic pain that has its place within the back and/or flank region, migrates to the lower abdominal region or groin area. This renal pain progressively gets worse as more and more stones get dislodged from the kidney and pass through the ureter.
2. Hematuria: A kidney stone can cause bleeding and injury when it grates the urinary bladder wall. Blood coming out with urine is referred to as hematuria, the urine can take on various hues such as brownish, reddish and/or pinkish.
3. Increased Urgency: Stones can reside in the bladder, or ureter, and as a result they can stimulate the bladder to more frequently call the body to void.
4. Urination becomes painful: Feel excruciating pain while urinating as the stone gets closer to the bladder region.
5. Did you know that nausea and vomiting occurs: However painful kidney stones can be, sometimes they can be accompanied by vomiting and intense pain that induces sickness.
6. Foul Smells Cloud Urine: The presence of a kidney stone may predispose the patient to a urinary tract infection. In response to the infection, the patient’s urine may become and emissions may be accompanied by a cloud or some foul odors.
7. Chill And Fever: A kidney stone may also lead to an infection of the urinary tract. As a result, the stone may be accompanied by fever and chills or malaise.

Diagnosis of Kidney Stones: How does one confirm a diagnosis of kidney stones?

1. Physical Examination and Medical History: As with any condition, gathering a relevant physical description along with an account of what has happened previously is the best foundation for diagnosis and rule out other accounts of presumed kidney stones.

Your doctor will inquire about symptoms and individual patterns in diet and lifestyle while also taking note of any previous experiences with kidney stones. If you are suffering from any pain, the physician will examine your abdomen and back area for any sensitive regions through palpation.

2. Imaging Tests: Imaging tests are performed to search for present stones in the kidneys. These tests are capable of providing precise images of the kidneys and the urinary tract, enabling the doctors to evaluate the size, position, and type of stone.

Some common imaging tests include:

1. X-rays: An X-ray of the abdomen can, on occasion, identify kidney stones located within the abdominal cavity, but cannot identify smaller stones or stones which are not calcium based.
2. CT Scan: A CT scan (computed tomography) is known to be the most precise imagery test used for diagnosing kidney stones. It is able to view minute stones and their locations in the kidneys or the urinary tract.

3. Ultrasound: An ultrasound produces kidney and urinary tract images by transmitting high-frequency sound waves into the body. It is a low-risk form of testing that is ideal for use with pregnant women or those who have previously undergone radiation.

1. Urine Test: Through urine tests, doctors can assess constituents of urine that could possibly lead to kidney stones. The most frequently performed urine test is the 24-hour urine collection test, which assesses the quantity of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid excretion. If an infection is suspected, a urine culture can be carried out.
2. Blood Test: Blood tests can provide significant information regarding the condition of the kidneys as well as the imbalances of the blood’s minerals and waste products. These include estimation of serum creatinine levels which relays upon further tests to assess the kidney’s functionality, as well as determination of calcium and other substances suspected to form alkali urine, with uric acid, which is another culprit to make kidney stones.

Kidney Stone Management

Smaller stones may dislodge with increased fluid intake and adequate pain control, while larger stones are known to remain lodged into the kidney for years if no intervention is carried out to manage them. These stones get easier to manage with time, but only if proper intervention is carried out in regards to the symptoms being reported along with the size of the stones. This urgency may need the use of supportive intervention like surgery or medication, which can be classified under.

1. Laparoscopy: This surgical procedure permits for the insertion of a thin tube through the urethra, for the purpose of removing or crushing the stone.
2. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: This procedure is done to remove very large stones along with the kidney above median size by making a small cut in the back of the patient.
3. Pharmaceuticals: Physicians usually dispense medication to help the patient get rid of the stone, as well as adrenergic blockers to reduce the pain if the stone is too much for the patient to handle.

Prevention and Lifestyle Alterations

Conducting proper research, adopting some lifestyle modifications can aid in symptom control of kidney stones. These include increased fluid intake, reduced salt intake, as well as limiting the consumption of animal proteins, having a well balanced diet, among many others. Patients with previous recordings of kidney stones should avoid foods high in oxalates and use drugs prescribed for urinary calcium control.

World Kidney Day: Spreading Knowledge Globally

World Kidney Day serves to educate the public on the necessity of kidney health and how taking preventive measures, as well as diagnosing kidney diseases at earlier stages, is important. In order to actively remind yourself to care for your kidneys, take note of staying well hydrated, consuming a well balanced diet, and receiving necessary medical attention regularly especially if you have other risk factors for kidney stones. Using this definition, kidney stones is one of the many diseases of the kidney and it warrants proper supervision and control.

Conclusion

Kidney stones are very painful, but understanding the root of its problem can help patients get a proper diagnose and treatment that, if done on time, will lessen the impacts. In other words, people should be aware of how having a kidney stones develops, identify its signs, and find proper diagnosis to prevent long-term issues. If enough water is consumed, healthy lifestyle habits are undertaken, and medical treatment is sought when necessary, these steps will reduce the chance of developing kidney stones and in the end help ensure a functioning healthy kidney.

This World Kidney Day, try to spare some time off your schedule and make sure you undergo the necessary tests for checking functionality of your kidneys. Book a kidney function test for your kidney health  today at Dr Lal PathLabs.