These are crystal forms of substances which are formed by minerals and salts. It looks like pebbles which are found in one or both kidneys. Mostly it occurs when the concentration of specific minerals are found in the urine then these stones are formed.

There are various types of stones and some cause severe pain while others do not. It is quite common that many people in the world are experiencing kidney stones . It may be due to an unhealthy lifestyle that can lead to kidney stones problems. Hence, many people are looking for its non surgical and surgical treatment options. Here you will get enough information about its types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and best treatment methods.

Types of Kidney

It is classified on basis of their size, color and shape and these are as follows:-

Struvite stones – It is caused by urinary tract infection.
Calcium stones – It is a common type of stone.
Uric acid stones – In this type a huge amount of acid in the urine.

Symptoms

Most of the time kidney stones pass out from the urine. However, it may get stuck and cause severe pain. Its most common symptoms are as follows:-

Extreme wave of pain in the back, side and lower abdomen and groin
Vomiting
Fever
Burning sensation while passing urine
Chills
Difficulty in passing urine
Frequent urge to pee
Blood in urine
Foul-smelling pee

Causes

The reason for kidney stones is the presence of the following substances in high levels in the urine.

Oxalate
Phosphorous
Calcium

When these minerals are accumulated in your pee then it forms hard stones in the kidney. At low levels these do not cause any harm.

Other causes are as follows:-

Don’t drink enough amount of water and other fluids
Consuming too much salt or sugar
Do not pee when urge to
Have extra amount of calcium
Taking calcium-based medicines
Have a previous history of kidney stones

Diagnosis

After determining your symptoms, your doctor will run some medical tests with a physical examination.

Imaging test:- A doctor runs ultrasound, CT scans and X-rays to get the location, size and number of stones.
Blood test:– There are some blood tests which are helpful to detect infection, level of calcium and kidney function.
Urine test:- It is a common test which is done to check the formation of crystals, blood in the urine and any signs of infection.

Treatment of Kidney Stones

Its treatment depends on its size, type, location and if it is causing severe pain. Small stone may pass out on its own, however, large stones require some treatment.

1. Medicines

There are some medications which are given to reduce pain and infection. These drugs are given to:-

Manage vomiting and nausea.
When small stones pass then it can be painful. So, your healthcare provider will recommend over-the-counter medicines to manage pain.
When stones get passed then it causes pain in your ureter. A doctor will prescribe medicines to the patient to relax the ureter.

2. Procedure for Kidney Stones

When stones get blocked in the urinary tract then the surgical procedure is required to remove the stone. These processes are mentioned below:-

3. Ureteroscopy

It is a less invasive surgery which is done to check the upper urinary tract. In this process, a small instrument, telescope which is passed through the bladder and urethra. This is done to know the precise location of the stone. It is done by giving anesthesia.

4. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

In this process, stones are removed by making a small puncture through the wound. PCNL is mainly performed to extract stones which are present in upper ureter or kidney. It is done when other treatments are not effective.

5. Laparoscopic Surgery

Stones are removed by making a small cut in the skin of the back by a surgeon. Depending on the size of the stones, a large cut can be made.

6. Shockwave Lithotripsy

As its name suggests, stones break apart by using shock waves. This treatment breaks these stones into small pieces. Then they easily pass through the urinary tract. It takes some time to move out from your body.

Do Kidney Stones Recur?

Yes, most of individuals keep getting kidney stones who have the following habits:-

Not physically active
Family history of kidney stones
Have low-fibre diet
Do not drink enough amount of water
Urinary tract infection

Kidney Stones Treatment