Kidney stones are medically known as renal calculi, the presence of which in the urinary tract is referred to as urolithiasis. Kidney stones are often asymptomatic until they pass into the lower urinary tract, where they can cause intense kidney pain. Kidney stones can be caused by many disorders; but the exact mechanism of their formation is still not entirely understood. Kidney stones treatment is usually focused on kidney pain management, prevention of infection and removal of urine obstruction.
Patient with kidney stones often present with acute renal colic. Kidney stones treatment of acute renal colic is usually supportive. Pain relief may be needed during the acute phase of obstruction. Antibiotics may also be necessary to treat urinary tract infections.
Kidney Stones
Stones which are about 5 mm or less usually pass spontaneously without the need of kidney stones treatment. If kidney stones presence are suspected or there is an acute attack, all urinary output are usually strained—chances are some stones are passed on to the urine, retrieving the stones is needed for chemical analysis and type determination. Lab results are used as basis for long-term preventive measures.
One major goal of kidney stones treatment in people who have passed kidney stones or have had them extracted is to prevent their recurrence. To prevent further formation of kidney stones, an investigation of the cause of the stone formation is needed. Blood chemistries, urine tests, and stone analysis are usually done.
If the kidney stones are caused by a particular disease, kidney stones treatment involves management of the underlying disease. Adequate fluid intake is necessary to reduce the concentration of stone-forming crystals in the urine—an intake of 12 glasses of water each day is usually encouraged.
Dietary changes, medications, or both may also be incorporated into the kidney stones treatment; medications and nutrition changes are dependent on the type of kidney stones. For example, individuals who have calcium oxalate stones may need to reduce their intake of high oxalate foods such as spinach, chocolate, and Swiss chard.
Measures to alter the urine pH may also be taken, as some stones form in certain urine pH. For example, uric acid stones tend to form in acidic urine, therefore stone formation can be lessened by making the urine pH more alkaline; this can be done by administering potassium alkali salts.
In some cases, stone removal may be necessary as kidney stones treatment. There are several ways to remove kidney stones. There are both invasive and non-invasive procedures. The choice of procedure often depends on the size and the location of the kidney stones.
Lithotripsy is the use of sound, laser, or dry shock waver energies to break the stone into small fragments. Sometimes, a stent is placed in the ureter before lithotripsy to ease the passage of the stone fragments. A stent is a tiny tube which is fitted into the ureter to dilate the ureter and to enlarge the passage way for the stone or stone fragments. Other minimally invasive procedures include retrograde ureteroscopy and percutaneous ureterolithotomy and nephrolithotomy.
If previous kidney stones treatment has failed, or if the risk of damaging the ureter or kidney is high, an open ureterolithotomy (ureter), pyelolithotomy (kidney pelvis), or nephrolithotomy (kidney) is done.
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