KIDNEY STONES

What is a Kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. The stones are made of mineral and acid salts.

Nephrolithiasis or Renal lithiasis, is the medical term for kidney stones. Kidney stones have many causes and can affect any part of your urinary tract, from your kidneys to your bladder. The stones usually form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. Or when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together. Passing kidney stones can be quite painful, but the stones usually cause no permanent damage. One in every 20 people develop kidney stones at some point in their life. Depending on your situation, you may need nothing more than to take pain medication and drink lots of water to pass a kidney stone. In other instances for example, if stones become lodged in the urinary tract or cause complications, surgery may be needed.

Prevention of Kidney Stones

Prevention of kidney stones may include a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. You may reduce your risk of kidney stones if you:

* Drink more water (or fluid) throughout the day. It is usually recommended that you drink 2 to 3 litres of water a day. If you live in a hot, dry climate or you exercise frequently, you may need to drink even more water to produce enough urine. Drink more water until you have a light (pale straw) and clear urine.

* Avoid or reduce intake of foods rich in oxalates. These include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard etc.

* Choose a diet low in salt and animal protein. Reduce the amount of salt you eat and choose non-animal protein sources, such as legumes.

* Eat more calcium-rich foods

Treatment for Kidney stones

Treatment for kidney stones varies, depending on the type of stone and the cause. Most kidney stones won't require invasive treatment. _

*FOR SMALLER STONES:-*_ You may be able to pass a small stone by:

a. Drinking more water. Drinking as much as 2 to 3 litres of water a day may help flush out your urinary system. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, drink enough fluid (mostly water).

b. Pain relievers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. To relieve mild pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers for you.

c. Medical therapy. Your doctor may give you a medication to help pass your kidney stone.

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*FOR LARGER STONES:-*_ Kidney stones that can't be treated with conservative measures either because they're too large to pass on their own or because they cause bleeding, kidney damage or ongoing urinary tract infections may require more extensive treatment to remove the stones. These treatments may include:

i. Using sound waves to break up the stones

ii. Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney

iii. Using a scope to remove the stones

iv. Parathyroid gland surgery and any other special treatment that you doctor may recommend for you.