Kidney
stone can be really painful. However, proper kidney stones treatment can lessen
your troubles. Here is what you should do.
Kidney Stone is a piece of solid material which is
formed in the kidneys due to minerals in the urine. The small size stones normally
leave the body through the urine stream without causing any symptoms or any
health problem. However, in cases of large stones, normally about the size of 3
millimetres or so they can cause blockage of the ureter, which results in pain
which begins with the flank or the lower back of the body and then gradually
radiates to the groin. The pain comes in waves lasting for 20 to 60 minutes or
more. Other symptoms that surface are nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the urine
and painful urination which should be considered before getting kidney stones treatment. The blockage
caused by the stones also causes decreased kidney function and dilation of the kidney.
Most of these stones are formed due to factors related to the environment or
genetics of a person. The various risk factors of Kidney stones are being
overweight, low water intake, certain kinds of foods and others. The problem is diagnosed in accordance with
the symptoms, urine testing, medical imaging and blood tests.
The
treatment varies depending upon the type of stones and the symptoms that so
appear.
1.
Small stones and minimal
symptoms
The
small stones do not require any such invasive treatment as the problem may be
cured through-
·
Drinking water- Unless prescribed
otherwise by the doctor, you must drink as much as 1.9 to 2.8 litres of water every day as
drinking water in such quantity helps to flush out the stones from your system
through the urine stream.
·
Pain relievers- Small stones
may cause some pain, even though they are not cause of great worry. In such
cases the doctor may even prescribe pain relievers to relieve you off your
pain.
·
Medical therapy-The doctor may
prescribe some alpha blockers that relax your muscles in the ureter and
consequently help pass the kidney stone more quickly and with less pain.
2.
Large stones and major symptoms
Large
kidney stones require medical attention as they are too large to pass on their
own and cause bleeding, kidney damage or other urinary infections. This can be
treated through-
· Sound waves- Doctor may
recommend a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) which
uses sound waves to break the stones through vibrations into small pieces which
can easily be passed off through the urine.
· Surgery- A surgery called
percutaneous nephrolithotomy may be performed that involves surgically removing
a kidney stone by using small telescopes and instruments that are inserted
through a small incision in your back.
·
Scope to remove stones-The
doctor may use a thin lighted tube (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera to
through your urethra and bladder to your ureter. Once the stone is located, the
doctor may either break into small pieces or snare the stone.
· Parathyroid gland surgery-
Some calcium phosphate stones are a result of overactive parathyroid
glands, which when produce excess of parathyroid hormone, your calcium levels
can become too high and stones form. The growth is then removed from the gland,
which stops the formation of kidney stones. This is the best kidney stones treatment.