Blog Summary
Nephrolithiasis, commonly known as kidney stone disease, affects nearly 15% of people during their lifetime. It occurs when mineral and organic substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid crystallize in the urinary system. The blog explains the types of kidney stones, common symptoms such as pain, urinary infections, and difficulty in urination, along with diagnostic methods like urine tests, blood tests, and imaging. Treatment ranges from pain relief and medication to surgical intervention for larger stones. Though effective treatments exist, recurrence is common. Early diagnosis and expert care are crucial to managing this painful and often recurring condition.
Table of Contents
Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stone disease) is an ancient and common affliction of human beings. Over a 70 year life span, it is estimated that about 15% of people will develop renal stones. Kidney Stone disease can lead to significant sufferings from pain, urinary infections and obstructive damages to the kidneys. Though newer and more effective methods to treat the Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stone disease) have evolved, the exact reason why a stone forms is largely unknown. Recurrence is bound to occur.
The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters (tube carrying urine from the kidney to bladder), urinary bladder (for urine storage) and urethra (urine passage). Urinary stones can occur in all parts of the urinary system. However, 95-97% of the stones are located in the kidneys and/or ureters, 3-5% are found in the bladder and urethra.
Composition
Urinary stones are actually biominerals consisting of both inorganic as well as organic materials also, like calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, proteins etc. There are different types of stone, of which calcium oxalate stone is the most common variety representing around 70-75% of all stones.
Types
Based on their chemical composition, kidney stones have been categorised, and some of them are mentioned below:
- Calcium Stones – The majority of kidney stones fall into this group, which is mostly made up of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.
- Infection Stones – In medical terms, infection stones are generally called struvite stones. They are the outcome of urinary tract infections
- Uric Acid Stones – People with certain hereditary diseases, or a high-protein diet are more likely to develop uric acid stones.
- Cystine Stones – These are mostly linked to a congenital illness called cystinuria, and in that case, the urine will be acidic.
Common Symptoms of the Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stone disease)
- Could be completely asymptomatic and silent
- Mild/moderate to severe pain (dull aching or colicky) can be limited to the back or can be radiating to the groins or genitalia or medical side of thighs.
- Passage of small stones or dust in the urine (calculuria/graveluria)
- Urinary infection
- urning sensation with difficulty in urination
Urinary block (retention-in case of bladder or urethral stone)
Diagnosis
Your urologist will talk to you about your health history and might recommend the following tests.
- A urine test also checks for infection and assesses the presence of kidney stone-forming chemicals.
- A blood test will show the health of your kidneys and study for biochemical issues that might cause kidney stones.
- Imaging tests like X-ray and ultrasound might be used to determine the size, shape, location, and number of kidney stones. Special Imaging like IVU and CT scan may be needed in some cases.
What are the Treatment Options?
Initial treatment will focus on pain relief by medicines or pain killer injections as it is the most common presenting symptom. Following this, further investigation will tell where the stone is and what its size is.
80-90% of the stone of less than 5mm will pass by its own. With stones of 5-10mm size Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET) can be given (Drugs that facilitate the stone passage by relaxing your kidney tube). 40-50% of stone of these sizes in the ureter may pass with the MET.
Stone larger than this or one which has not come out with 2 weeks of MET will require one of the surgical methods to remove it.
When to See a Doctor:
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, blood in urine, or signs of infection, consult a urologist without delay.