KIDNEY AND URETER STONES

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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Introduction

Our urinary tract comprises of kidneys, ureters and bladder. The kidneys filter waste material and water from our body to make urine which travels to the ureters (tube-like structures leading to the bladder) and then gets stored in the bladder. Urethra is the opening from which the urine is eventually passed out from the body.

When the level of minerals and salts in the urine is higher than normal, there can be formation of stones. The stones can rapidly increase in size causing discomfort and pain.

The stones that form in the kidneys are referred to as kidney stones. However, some times the stones shift from the kidney and remain lodged in the ureter; this is known as ureter stones. The stones stuck in ureter can stop the flow of urine and cause extreme pain.

For the best treatment of kidney and ureter stones, visit the best urologist in Chandigarh at Healing Hospital and relieve yourself from the pain.

Causes of kidney and ureter stones

Drinking less water can lead to low urine output and does not allow the salts and minerals to pass out of the body completely.

Heavy salt intake in food can increase your chances of having calcium stones. The reason behind this is that when too much salt passes through the urine, it inhibits the reabsorption of calcium from the urine into the blood leading to formation of stones.
It is imperative to stay within a healthy weight range as being obese can increase the risk of stone formation due to alteration in acid levels in the urine.
Overdosage of calcium and vitamin C supplements can also increase the chances of kidney and ureter stones. However, do not stop any medication without consulting your specialist doctor.
Family history also plays an important part and you are at a higher risk of developing stones if one of your parents or siblings suffer from it.
A condition known as distal renal acidosis can increase the acid levels in your body thereby leading to formation of calcium phosphate kidney stones.

How are kidney and ureter stones diagnosed?

Some kidney stones do not cause any symptoms and are diagnosed accidentally during an X-Ray for any other health condition.
On the other hand, sudden pain is experienced by some people having stones which needs medical attention. This also leads to discovery of stones in the kidney or ureters.
Your specialist doctor can ask you to get an ultrasound or CT scan conducted if you have symptoms such as abdominal pain or blood in urine. This also helps in proper diagnosis of stones and their size.

Treatment for kidney and ureter stones

Wait and watch is generally the first line of treatment in case you have smaller stones. If the pain is bearable, your urologist will recommend to wait for at least four to six weeks for the stones to pass out on their own.
When waiting for the stones to pass out in the urine, you will need to drink plenty of fluids as recommended by your specialist doctor. Pain medication will also be prescribed depending on the intensity of discomfort
Certain medications help in relaxing the ureter so that the stones can easily pass out from your system. Your kidney stone specialist will also give you pain and anti-nausea medication during the waiting process for the stone to move out.
Surgical intervention is required if the stones do not pass out on their own and cause unbearable pain or repeated infections.
Various types of surgeries used to remove kidney and ureter stones are listed below:

Ureteroscopy (URS): Without making any incisions or cuts, the urologist passes a very small telescope (ureteroscope) from the bladder up to the ureter and then the kidney. The patient is administered general anesthesia while the surgeon looks in detail at the location and size of stones. A tiny device that can hold the stones is used to grab them and remove from thebody. The larger stones are usually broken into smaller pieces with other technologies before being taken out using the ureteroscope.

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL): During this surgical procedure, shock waves are repeatedly sent with a single focus on the stones that causes them to break into smaller pieces. Once the stones break, it is easier for them to pass out in urine.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This surgical procedure is commonly used for the removal of large kidney and ureter stones. While performing PCNL, a small incision is made at the back or side after administering general anesthesia. A device known as nephroscope is passed into the kidney where the stones are located. A suction instrument used in thenephroscope helps in breaking larger stones and draws them out of your body. Overnight stay is required in this procedure so that the doctor can check for any stone pieces that might have been left behind.
Invasive procedures such as laparoscopic surgery are done only if all the above mentioned surgical procedures fail to provide any relief.

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Symptoms of kidney and ureter stones

– A sharp and distinguishable pain can be experienced at the back and side of your abdomen.
– The pain can also be felt in lower abdomen as well as groin.
– Burning sensation while passing urine.
– The urge to urinate frequently is another common symptom of kidney and ureter stones.
– In certain cases, patients can experience blood in urine.
– Persistent feeling of nausea and vomiting can also be seen in some patients.