Kidney stones are hard masses with mineral content formed in the kidney canals. The reason and mechanism of formation of stones is unknown.
How Kidney Stones Form?
Kidneys are organs that filter the blood in our body, that is, they act as filters. During this filtration process, beneficial substances are reabsorbed into the body, while others are excreted in the urine. In cases where the urine density increases, the substances normally excreted in the urine (minerals, salts) accumulate in the form of crystals in the parts of the inner surface of the kidneys that provide absorption, and structures that will turn into stones over time appear, and thus stone formation begins.
Kidney stones are formed when the amount of calcium or uric acid in the urine is high, and the substance we call citrate, which allows these crystals to stick to each other and thus to prevent stone formation, is also low. Of course, the most important factor here is the low amount of fluid intake.
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
- Severe flank - flank pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in the urine (may be microscopic) are common symptoms.
What Increases Kidney Stone Formation?
Frequent urinary tract infections, kidney diseases such as cystinuria, systemic diseases such as gout increase the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stone formation is common in chronic intestinal inflammation. Diet: Those who are fed with foods rich in animal protein and low in fiber are more likely to form stones.
How is Kidney Stone Diagnosed?
Imaging methods and laboratory tests are used in the diagnosis of kidney stone. Direct X-ray or ultrasonography is used to detect the stone. If it cannot be seen, computed tomography is requested and this method is definitive. gives the diagnosis.
How to Treat Kidney Stones?
Treatment of kidney stones up to 5 mm is done with painkillers, antispasmodic drugs and plenty of fluid intake due to the small size of the stone. With these methods, the stone can fall spontaneously.
The treatment of kidney stones larger than 5 mm is performed by breaking them with ESWL (extra-body shock waves) and allowing them to be excreted in the urine.
PNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): Endoscopic (closed) PNL method, which is an operation, is applied for the treatment of kidney stones larger than 2 cm and which cannot be broken by ESWL. A 1 cm incision is made in the waist region of the patient under general anesthesia. By entering through this incision, the stones are removed either as a whole or by breaking them. In this method, the stones are broken by pneumatic, ultrasonic or laser stone crushers.
URS (Urethoscope): If the stones in the ureteral canal do not fall or are not broken with ESWL, they are broken and treated by entering the ureteroscope device through the urinary tract. Ureteroscopes are devices with a diameter of 2.5-3 mm and a lens that provides vision. Patients are discharged home on the same day after treatment.
Does Kidney Stones Recur?
Kidney stones are a recurring condition. However, in order to prevent it from recurring;
- Must drink plenty of water, especially in the summer months, and consume liquids.
- Restrict salt consumption, exercise regularly or take a walk.
- Avoiding sudden weight loss is also effective in reducing the risk of stone formation.
Read: 0
