Kidney stones are formed three times more often in men than in women. The cause of their formation is the accumulation of deposits in the kidneys or bladder. Fortunately, there are more and more ways to remove them. Stones can be broken, dissolved, born. Discover proven ways to treat kidney stones.

Kidney stonesare formed as a result of the crystallization of minerals and their s alts. They can stay in the kidney, for example, but they can also move - from the kidneys to the ureters and to the bladder.

Kidney stones are formed when the concentration of compounds from which deposits can form exceeds the so-called the threshold of solubility in the body. It is favored by hereditary tendencies, defects in the structure of the urinary system and its recurrent infections.

The use of certain medications (e.g. corticosteroids) also contributes to the formation of stones in the kidneys, hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, long-term treatment of peptic ulcer with alkalizing preparations, excessive concentration of urine (e.g. when we drink little), overdose of vitamin D and incorrect diet.

Depending on the chemical composition of the resulting deposits, specialists talk about oxalate, phosphate, urate and cystine stones. Treatment depends on the type, size and location of the stone.

The symptoms of kidney stonesare usually not very severe. For example, we feel a slight, dull pain in the lumbar region, and we urinate more often than usual.

Sometimes, however, the pains are sudden and severe, they radiate forward into the symphysis pubis. This is called renal colic accompanied by strong and frequent pressure on the bladder. We urinate in small amounts, sometimes stained with blood. If the colic becomes infected, chills and a fever may develop. An attack is easily triggered by movement (even by dancing). The stone then moves around and can block the urinary tract. The pain lasts from several minutes to several dozen hours.

Kidney stone treatment - tests first

Any type of kidney stone can be detected with an ultrasound scan. The doctor also orders the performance of the so-called urography, i.e. 3-4 X-rays of the abdominal cavity after intravenous administration of the contrast agent. For what? Well, to see if it is dealing with the so-called urolithiasis (you can see the stones in the photo) or non-shading stones.

From the resultfurther therapy depends on urography. In the case of urolithiasis (so-called gout) it is usually enough to use a special diet and medications (eg Allopurinol) that can dissolve quite large stones. Treatment of such urolithiasis usually takes about 6-8 weeks.

However, in the case of shading urolithiasis, the matter is much more complicated. The stones cannot be dissolved and a surgical treatment must be applied. Fortunately, today in over 85 percent. In cases, minimally invasive techniques are used: lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous surgery (PCNL) and ureterorenoscopy (URSL). A classic operation, such as cutting a kidney or ureter and removing a stone, is very rarely performed.

It is mainly performed when the stones are very large, have filled the upper and lower calyx of the kidney and cannot be broken, or when the stone has fallen into the ureter and blocked the outflow of urine from the kidney. However, doctors use laparoscopy more often - a device with a tiny basket is inserted through small incisions on the abdomen, into which stones are collected and taken out.

Remember! However, removing stones doesn't mean they won't reappear. So in order to reduce this danger even a little, you need to follow a proper diet and try to drink at least 2 liters of fluids during the day.

Lithotripsy (ESWL), or crushing

Indications: location of stones in the kidney and the upper and lower ureter.

What is it about? The stones are smashed using an ultrasonic wave. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It does not require anesthesia. We lie down on a special movable table that enters a hoop with a head emitting inaudible sounds.

The doctor, maneuvering the table, directs the wave exactly at the stone. He knows its location thanks to previous research. One treatment is not always enough. It must be repeated if, after a few weeks, the stone crumbs are not excreted in the urine. Elimination may start as early as a few hours after crushing.

Note! Contraindication to ESWL are obstacles that prevent the release of stone pieces (e.g. large narrowing of the urethra due to prostate enlargement), blood clotting disorders, significant obesity (a thick layer of adipose tissue makes it difficult for the sound wave to reach the stone).

Percutaneous procedure (PCNL), i.e. suction

Indications: location of stones in the pelvis or the lower calyx of the kidney, which prevents them from escaping through the urinary tract.

What is it about? The stone is reached with a special needle and brokenand pulls out. The procedure is performed in a hospital. Requires lumbar anesthesia (i.e. we lose feeling from the waist down). We lie down on the stomach and the doctor, under the supervision of ultrasound or X-ray, introduces a long, thin needle through the skin of the back into the kidney. When it touches the stone, the specialist puts a slightly thicker needle on it and pulls out the thinner one.

The maneuver is repeated several times until the needle in the kidney is about the diameter of the index finger. Through it, the doctor introduces tools with which he can extract a small stone from the kidney. If the deposit is large, it is first crushed and then sucked off piece by piece. Usually one treatment is enough.

Note! We have to stay 3-5 days in the hospital so that the doctors can prevent possible complications in time.

Ureterorenoscopy (URSL)

Indications: small stones (or fragments of previously crushed large deposits) in the ureter and bladder.

What is it about? The stones or their fragments are released through the urethra. The procedure is performed in a hospital and requires lumbar anesthesia. When we lie on the table, the doctor introduces microcomponents through the coil, which emit waves that break the stone. Then, with forceps, he grabs and pulls out the debris.

If the stone is blocked in the ureter and cannot be pulled out through the urethra, it is sometimes probed back into the kidney and then ESWL or PCNL is applied.

Note! We usually stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Worth knowing

After breaking the stones, you need to expel their particles or sand with urine. Sometimes such a "birth" occurs spontaneously, it can also be provoked by drugs. It can be very painful. Ailments will be reduced by: painkillers and antispasmodics (e.g. pyralgin, tolargin, no-spa) a warm bath put a warm hot water bottle or electric pad on the abdomen drink plenty of fluids

Herbs help give birth to a stone

The excretion of stones is facilitated by infusions and decoctions of diuretic and relaxing herbs that relax the muscle membranes of the ureter and bladder.

  • Herbs for oxalate or calcium stones

50 g of dandelion root, a basket of chamomile, horsetail herb, knotweed herb, couch grass rhizome each. Mix ingredients. Pour three tablespoons of the mixture into three glasses of water and cook for five minutes, covered. Strain the broth and drink a glass three times a day (preferably a quarter of an hour after a meal).

  • Herbs for gout

50 g each of goldenrod and bearberry leaf, 30 g each of birch leaf and celandine herb. Mix the ingredients. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of water and cook for two minutes. Drain. Drink a glass of broth three times a day (preferablybetween meals).

  • Herbs for cystine stones

50 g each of a lingonberry leaf, couch grass rhizome, a basket of noble chamomile, licorice root. Mix the ingredients. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave it covered for a quarter of an hour. Strain it. Drink the warm infusion three times a day, half an hour after eating. Prepare a fresh portion each time.

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Category:

Urology and Nephrology