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Kidney stones are hard mineral crystals that form as urine separates in the urinary canal. Urine usually contains substances that prevent or dilute the formation of stones before they become a problem. The crystals can pass through the urine and out of the urinary system if they are small enough.
Men are more likely than women to develop kidney stones. They are frequently excruciatingly painful, necessitating a thorough treatment regimen. In Bhubaneswar, UroFirst – Advanced Urology Centre provides advanced kidney stone treatment. Our medical director, Dr. Sumanta Kumar Mishra, among the expert urologists in Bhubaneswar, uses state-of-the-art, non-invasive treatment options to offer one of the best kidney stone treatments.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Substances in the urine form kidney stones. The chemicals that combine to form stones pass through the urinary system; the urine volume is insufficient when they don’t, causing the compounds to crystallize and become highly concentrated. A lack of water intake generally causes it. Following substances make kidney stones:
- Calcium
- Xanthine
- Cystine
- Uric acid
- Oxalate
- Phosphate
These are waste products that leave the body, along with other substances.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
It’s possible to go years without realizing you have a kidney stone. Patients may experience symptoms if the tumor moves or grows to a large size. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of a kidney stone:
- Pain on one side of the body or in the lower back.
- Nausea and vomiting with pain.
- Urine with blood in it.
- Pain when urinating.
- Not being able to urinate.
- Urge to go to the bathroom more frequently.
- Chills or fever.
- Urine has a foul odor and appears cloudy.
Kidney stones get diagnosed in various ways.
Our urologist will perform a physical examination, review the patient’s medical history, and order them if tests are required. The following are examples of these tests:
Imaging tests: A doctor can use an X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound to determine the size, shape, location, and several kidney stones. These tests aid the doctor in choosing the most effective kidney stone treatment.
Blood tests: A blood test can reveal how well the kidneys work and check for infection and biochemical issues that lead to kidney stones.
Urine test: This test examines the patient’s urine for signs of infection and the number of chemicals that can cause kidney stones.
What are the Symptoms and Treatments for Kidney Stones?
Your specialist will initially prescribe an effective kidney stone treatment once you get diagnosed. The following are some of the treatment options:
Medications
The doctor may prescribe pain relievers, nausea/vomiting medications, and ureter relaxants to help the stones pass.
Surgery
There are four different procedures for treating kidney stones. The first three procedures are minimally invasive, implying that the surgeon enters the body through a natural opening (such as the urethra) or a small incision.
Ureteroscopy
The surgeon inserts a small instrument called a ureteroscope into the urethra, through the bladder, and into the ureter to perform this surgery. This device shows kidney stones before removing them in a surgical “basket” or using a laser to break them up. The smaller fragments of kidney stones can then pass through the urinary tract and exit the body with ease.
Shockwave lithotripsy
The doctor will place the patient on a specific surgical table or tub during this procedure. The doctor then sends high-energy shockwaves through the water to the stone (s). The stones are shattered by the shockwaves, allowing them to exit the body faster.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Your surgeon considers Percutaneous nephrolithotomy when other procedures fail to treat kidney stones, either because there are too many, too large, or heavy, or the stones are in the wrong place.
The surgeon inserts a tube directly into the kidney through a small incision in the back in this procedure. The surgeon then suctions out the stones. The surgeon then uses an ultrasonic probe to break up the stones. As a result, patients do not have to pass any fragments.
A urethral stent is inserted after the procedure by the surgeon (an internal tube from the kidney to the bladder). One week later, your surgeon removes the stent. In the vast majority of cases, patients are kept overnight for observation.
Open stone surgery
Your surgeon makes a longer incision during this procedure. In comparison to minimally invasive techniques, your surgeon rarely uses them.