December 14, 2023

THE PRESENCE OF STONES IN THE KIDNEY

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. The presence of stones in the kidney is due to a decrease in urine volume or excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. This causes back pain, abdominal pain, burning sensation during urination, blood in urine, and fever.

Complications for Kidney Stones
Possible complications are not just from the stones themselves, it is often due to the treatment procedures.

You may need a nephrectomy if you have a kidney problem that cannot be treated with other methods, such as medication, radiation, or chemotherapy.

  • Recurrence - the most common complication is that the kidney stones can occur again.
  • Obstruction and infection - Blockage of the urinary tract can cause kidney damage and also can make the urinary tract susceptible to infection.

Tips to Prevent Kidney Stones

  • Increase the intake of fluids.
  • Maintain a healthy diet - consume foods rich in calcium and avoid calcium supplements, limit salt and animal protein.
  • Eat more fiber - foods rich in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
  • Avoid excess oxalate - oxalate is a compound found in many foods, such as spinach, chocolate, beets, nuts, and tea. It can bind with calcium in the urine and form stones. However, you don’t need to avoid oxalate completely, as it also has some health benefits. The key is to eat oxalate-rich foods with calcium-rich foods.
  • Keep up the calcium - get your calcium from foods sources, not supplements, and pair them with oxalate-rich foods for better absorption.

Nutrition
Recommended and non-recommended diets

Recommended:

  • Calcium-rich foods such as legumes, dark green vegetables, nuts, and milk. Low calcium diets increase kidney stone risk.
  • Drink plenty of water and fluids.

Non-recommended:

  • Foods rich in sodium e.g.: salty processed foods.
  • Foods rich in oxalate e.g.: spinach, chocolate, beets, rhubarb, and soy products.
  • Animal protein e.g.: Limit your intake of beef, poultry, fish, and pork.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made based on the physical exam, patient history, laboratory findings, and radiographic investigations.

  • Blood tests: To evaluate kidney function, and levels of calcium, phosphorus, electrolytes, uric acid, and other substances that may have caused the stone to form.
  • Urine test: This is done to measure pH, volume, uric acid, calcium oxalate, and other substances.
  • X-ray: X-ray of the kidney, ureter, and bladder is taken to detect kidney stones.
  • Ultrasound: A noninvasive test to detect kidney stones.
  • CT scan: A CT scan of the abdomen is performed to detect tiny stones.
  • Analysis of passed stones: This is a test that involves collecting and examining the stones that you pass in your urine. It can reveal the type and composition of the stones.

Symptoms
Some of these symptoms include renal pain, blood in urine, pus in urine, and fever. Symptoms such as:

  • Pain in the abdomen or lower back, which is intermittent and severe radiating to the groin, and testis in males is the most striking feature.
  • Pain worsens during movement.
  • Blood in urine.
  • Pus in urine.
  • Fever.
  • Difficulty in urination, feeling of urgency, frequent, painful, burning urination.
  • Nausea, vomiting, chills, and fever are seen in case of infection.
  • Urinary retention.

Risk Factors

  • Dehydration: consuming inadequate amounts of water regularly for a prolonged time can increase the risk.
  • Diet: High in sodium diet, oxalate, and foods that increase acid levels oxalate, or sugar can affect the balance of minerals and acids in the urine and promote stone growth.
  • Family or personal history: Having a family member or a previous episode of kidney stones can increase the risk of recurrence.
  • Obesity: Being overweight or having a high body mass index (BMI) can increase the risk of kidney stones by altering the urine composition and increasing the excretion of certain substances.
  • Diseases / Surgery of the digestive tract: Conditions that affect the absorption of calcium, electrolytes, and water in the digestive tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery, or chronic diarrhea, can increase the risk of kidney stones.
  • Urinary tract infections: Infections in the urinary tract can cause the formation of struvite stones, which are composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate.
  • Anatomical abnormalities: Some structural or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract, such as blockage, obstruction, diverticulum, horseshoe kidney, ureterocele, vesicoureteral reflux, or ureteral stricture, can increase the risk of kidney stones by affecting the urine flow or causing stasis.

Notable Facts:

  • Treatable by a medical professional
  • Diagnosed by a medical professional
  • Requires lab test or imaging
  • Can last several weeks or months
  • More common in males
  • Can be dangerous or life-threatening if untreated
  • Family history may increase the likelihood
  • Urgent medical attention is recommended in severe cases

There are different types of kidney stones, such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, cystine, or struvite, and each one has its own causes and prevention methods.

The treatment for kidney stones depends on their size, location, type, and symptoms. However, the best treatment option for each patient depends on their situation and preferences. Discuss the benefits and risks of each option with a healthcare professional, note that; specific advice is based on individual situation and medical history.

It is important to follow a healthcare professional advice on how to prevent future kidney stones and take medications if needed.