Kidneys are one of the important organs that keep the human body in balance. It ensures the elimination of waste products in our body, regulates fluid and acid-base balance, regulates blood pressure and stimulates the production of red blood cells. The most common disease in the kidneys is stone formation. Stones formed in the kidneys can be excreted through urine. However, these stones can also cause obstruction in the urinary tract. In this case, severe kidney pain may be felt.
- Is it possible to prevent the formation of kidney stones?
- How are kidney stones diagnosed and how are they treated?
We can protect our kidneys from stones by changing or regulating our life habits, and if stones have formed, we can purify our kidneys from stones with different treatment methods.
- What are Kidney Stones, Why Do They Occur?
Kidney stones; They are mineral-containing stone masses formed within the renal canals. Although the factors and formation mechanism of these stones are not fully known, they may be caused by genetic predisposition, congenital urinary tract anomalies, and some systemic diseases (Gout, Cystinuria, etc.).
- Where and how does it occur?
It can occur in the urinary tracts of the kidney, especially in the pool (pelvis) part of the kidney. Insufficient production of some protective substances in the urine by the body and excretion of some substances that cause stone formation in excessive amounts in the urine accelerate stone formation, and constantly recurring urinary tract infections also increase stone formation.
- The frequency of occurrence in the society. What is it?
It is quite common. It is 3 times more common in men than in women.
- Which health problems accelerate the formation of kidney stones?
Recurrent urinary tract infections. It poses a risk for kidney stones (struvite stones). Structural disorders in the kidney also increase stone formation. Apart from this, kidney diseases such as hypercalciuria, cystinuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, metabolic diseases such as thyroid diseases or chronic pancreatic disease may predispose to the formation of kidney stones. lyre. Gout, a type of rheumatic disease, increases the level of uric acid in the body and causes uric acid stones to frequently form. Uric acid stones are more common in men than in women. Chronic intestinal inflammation is one of the diseases that frequently causes kidney stones to form.
- What are the factors that increase the risk of stone formation?
Not drinking enough fluids during the day, genetic factors, family and personal history, age, gender and racial factors, lack of movement or inactivity and diet pose a risk for stone formation.
- What are the symptoms of kidney stones? ?
Pain of varying severity, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine are the most common findings.
- How is kidney stone diagnosed? ?
Imaging methods and laboratory tests are used in the diagnosis of kidney stones. If there are kidney stones, they can usually be seen on an x-ray. The patient is laid down while this film is taken. However, not all stones can be seen directly on an x-ray. The system in which all stones are seen is computerized tomography.
- How are kidney stones treated?
Medical Treatment: 5 mm can be passed with painkillers, antispasmodic medication and plenty of fluid intake. As the size of the stone increases, the possibility of passing it without intervention decreases.
ESWL: Lithoracic treatment with shock waves from outside the body.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PNL): Stone inside the kidney It is a method used when the size is larger than 2 cm or cannot be broken with ESWL. Under general anesthesia, a special camera is entered into the kidney through a 1 cm incision on the side of the waist area, and the stones are removed as a whole or broken and removed through the same route. In percutaneous nephrolithotomy surgery, which is an endoscopic, or closed, surgery method, images are transferred to a television screen in enlarged form with an endocamera. Stones are generally broken down with pneumatic, ultrasonic or laser energy.
Urethoroscopy (URS): If the stones in the ureteric duct do not pass or cannot be broken with ESWL, urine can be removed. They can be treated by entering them with the help of instruments called ureteroscopes. Ureteroscopes are devices with a diameter of 2.5-3 mm, a working channel along their length and a lens that provides the image. It is treated by using rigid ureteroscopes, passing the external urinary tract and bladder, entering the ureter, and breaking the stones with a Holmium laser or pneumatic stone crusher. Stones in the lower and middle ureters can be treated with these ureteroscopes. Flexible ureteroscopes, that is, bendable ureteroscopes, are used in the treatment of stones both in the upper ureter and in pockets called pools and calyces within the kidney, as their ends can be rotated in various directions and angles. After ureteroscopic stone treatment, patients are discharged home on the same day or the next day.
- What are the Possible Risks in Kidney Stone Interventions?
Each surgery and treatment protocol involves certain levels of risk depending on its type. The risks of open and closed kidney stone surgeries are the same. Bleeding is the most common complication. Studies have found that the probability of bleeding sufficient to require blood donation is between 1% and 10%. As with every surgery, there is a risk of infection in this surgery. In order to minimize this risk, it is necessary to investigate the presence of infection in the urine before the surgery and to start preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics during the surgery.
In which cases surgery should be applied and in which cases non-surgical methods should be applied
Today, the least invasive treatment methods are used. The structure, number, size and location of the stone are the most important factors that play a role in choosing the treatment method.
- What is the risk of recurrence of stone disease in patients treated for kidney stones?
If preventive measures are not taken and some lifestyle changes are not made, the risk of recurrence of kidney stones is quite high due to environmental and genetic factors.
- Treatments to prevent stone formation. What are they?
Lifestyle changes play an extremely important role in preventing stone formation. Some precautions can be taken, such as avoiding fast eating, consuming plenty of fluids and focusing on exercise. These In addition to treatment, there are also some drug treatments that can be carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Early diagnosis is important with regular health checks at regular intervals.
- What should people with kidney stones do?
- Can the formation of kidney stones be prevented?
The risk of new stone formation by making a few changes in lifestyle and nutrition can be reduced. It is necessary to consume vegetables and fruits due to their fiber-containing foods and beneficial effects. However, vegetables and fruits rich in oxalates (spinach, cocoa, tea leaves, walnuts, wheat bran) should be avoided. The amount of calcium intake should be limited unless there is a strong reason to make such recommendations. Plenty of fluid should be consumed.
- Which size and which application should be done?
Stones above 6 mm are passed by intervention. Some of the stones between 4-6 mm pass spontaneously and some pass with intervention. Stones under 4 mm pass on their own.
- Is consuming lemon helpful in passing kidney stones?
Studies show that lemon juice helps some stones. It has been found to prevent the occurrence of The citrate in lemonade is effective against kidney stones. For this reason, part of the fluid requirement can be taken in the form of lemonade.
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