Kidney Stones - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

March 23, 2012

World Kidney Day is celebrated worldwide every year on the second Thursday of March. This year, it was celebrated on March 8, 2012.
 

What is kidney stone?

Kidney stones, known medically as renal calculi, are hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones can be extremely painful and cause many people to visit the doctor for treatment.
 

Who is at risk?
 
Anyone may develop a kidney stone, but certain people are more susceptible to it. Stones are more common in men than in women and commonly develop in the age group of 20-49 years. In India, kidney stones are common in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan. In Karnataka, it is common in Coastal and Northern districts because of the hot weather.


What causes kidney stones?
 
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume due to reduced fluid intake or an excess of stone forming minerals in the urine. Dehydration and reduced fluid intake, increases the precipitation of these minerals within the urinary system and increases the risk of formation of kidney stones. Climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.
 
Obstruction of urine flow, infections, metabolic abnormalities, medical conditions like gout, hyperparathyroidism and some medications including some diuretics, calcium-containing antacids etc also predispose to stone formation.
 
Dietary practices may increase the risk of stone formation in susceptible individuals. These include high intake of animal protein, a high-salt diet, excessive vitamin D supplementation and excessive intake of oxalate-containing foods such as tomatoes and spinach.
 

What are the symptoms?
 
People who have kidney stones experience sudden onset of severe spasmodic pain in their back which often radiates to the groin. Those affected cannot lie down comfortably, and many writhe in pain. The pain has been described by many ladies as being as worse as the pain of childbirth. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It may also cause blood in the urine, discomfort in passing urine and fever with chills, if infection sets in. Some kidney stones may not produce symptoms, and may be incidentally detected during an ultrasound examination.
 

How are kidney stones diagnosed?
 
An ultrasound of the abdomen will help in diagnosing stones in most of the patients. Blood and urine tests and in certain cases, a CT scan may be required.
 

What is the treatment for kidney stones?
 
There are several factors which influence the spontaneous passage of a stone. These include the size and position of the stone. Any congenital or acquired abnormalities of the urinary system may hamper the passage of stones. Hence, treatment of kidney stones has to be individualized.
 
Treatment with analgesics may give symptomatic relief from pain. The patient is generally instructed to maintain a high fluid intake of 2 to 3 litres/day to help pass the stone. Other causes which predispose to stone formation require to be treated.
 
Current treatment options are ESWL (Lithotripsy) and endoscopic procedures like Ureteroscopy (URS), Retrograde IntraRenal Surgery (RIRS) and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
 

How to prevent kidney stones?

Increase of fluid intake to 2-3 litres/day, especially during summer and increased intake of citrus fruits like lemon and orange is recommended. Dietary changes include salt restriction and eating less of meat, fish and poultry.
 
Avoiding large portions of spinach, beet, tomatoes, nuts and chocolates is advisable.  Hence, with these lifestyle changes, it would be possible to avoid kidney stones in the first place, rather than having to undergo treatment for it.
 

Dr Nischith can be contacted at ‘KIDNEY CLINIC’, Don Bosco Hall Cross Road, Falnir, Mangalore. Ph: 08242422166, 9945087949. E mail: nish25@gmail.com.

 

 

By Dr Nischith D'Souza
Dr Nischith D’Souza completed his Superspeciality training in MCh Urology at Bangalore Medical College, after his undergraduation from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, and MS General Surgery from St John’s Medical College, Bangalore. He secured the first rank in MCh Urology final year University examination conducted by RGUHS, Bangalore. He has published articles in various Journals and also received the Best Paper Awards at the National and South Zone Urology Conferences. He was also selected for the International Travel Fellowship by the Urological Society of India to attend the British Association of Urological Surgeons Meeting at London and is a member of the American Urology Association.

He is currently working as a Consultant Urologist in Mangalore.
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Comment on this article

  • Cblm Holy Family Hospital, jaipur

    Wed, May 19 2021

    A kidney stone is a condition that results due to excess building up of dissolved minerals in the inner lining of kidneys. These with time grow in size forming a crystalline structure. CBLM is one of the top listed multispecialty hospitals in Jaipur which offers world-class treatment and surgery for kidney stones in India. Backed by a team of expert neurologists the hospital assists with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

  • parladh Dhakal, Qatar

    Mon, Aug 18 2014

    I'm having 6 stones in right and 2 stone in left of 7 mm please help me what is better solution I'm having pain my kidney

  • meenakshi, gujarat

    Fri, May 24 2013

    I want to know solution I'm having 3 stones from dat one is 6 mm and others of 4 to 5 mm.please help me I'm having stream pain my kidney

  • gunvant vora, ahmedabad

    Sat, Mar 02 2013

    sir,
    your article is very usefull for me . my husband has 12mm,& 7mm kidney stone.somebody suggest for lithtropsy but I read the side effects of lithotropsy. pls guide me for natural medicine.

  • P.F Mranda, Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 22 2012

    Thank you Doctor for valuable advice.

  • Leo D'Souza, Mangalore

    Tue, Mar 27 2012

    I hope I am not too late to comment on this interesting and useful article. Having Kidney stones is not a laughing matter but it can be sometimes a matter for laughter.

    The doctor told the old man that his pain was due to having stones in his kidney. As soon as he came home the old man berated his wife " I told you hundreds of times to clean the rice carefully. You did not listen. Now I have got the stones in my kidney all due to your negligence".
    Fr Valerian D'Souza Uncle of Dr Nischith had kidney stones. Having heard that kulthaso kaat ( water boiled with horse gram) was good to flush out kidney stones, he sent a servant to buy a kilo of the gram. The store keeper brought down a whole bag of the stuff. The servant protested that the gram was not for the ಏರು ( yeru - buffelo) but for the ಗುರು (guru - Father). The store keeper replied " ಗುರುಕ್ಲ ವೊಂಜೆ, ಯೆರುಕ್ಲ ವೊಂಜೆ " It is the same whether it is for the buffelo or the father

  • Russell Fernandes, Mumbai

    Mon, Mar 26 2012

    Very well written article ! Greatly Informative

  • Rose, Mangalore

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    I know of three ayurvedic medicines for kidney stone-
    1. In Kokani it is call 'kandi' from the banana plant to be eaten raw, chewed properly in small quantity everyday.
    2. Boil chopped Parsley or corriander leaves, preferably parsely in water. Cool the water and drink daily to flush kidney stone.
    3. Drink Orange (musambi) juice in the morning on empty stomach.
    Drinking at least 2 litres of water is a must.

  • Rose, Dubai

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    Dear Rudolf,
    Most people in the Gulf suffer from Kidney stone due to the water and lack of exercise.

  • ali, Riyadh (Mangalore)

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    Thank you for both the DR. and DW.
    It is my experience tht Himalaya drugs herbal tablet "ceystone" is excellent in flushing out small sized stones. Many Doctors too advise this tablets.

  • diya Paris , Banglaore/Ajman-UAE

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    Nice article. thank you daiji. daiji i request you to please publish more articles on health. i would really appreciate daiji/ reader/s could publish/send the article about the bad breath & complete solution for that.
    regards,
    diya

  • Vinayak, Mangalore / Dubai

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    Neatly explained enabling a common man to understand. Rather using high medical terms, it has been made more simple for easy understanding. Thank you very much Dr. D'souza.

  • Zahoor Ahmed, Karkal / Dammam

    Sun, Mar 25 2012

    Good informative article, thanks to Dr. Nischith and Daijiworld

  • Mike, KSA

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Well explained, in simple language and with relevant pictures. Thanks Dr. D'Souza.

  • Wilson D'souza, Udupi, Muscat

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Nice basic information shared by the Dr. Mr. Dsouza. thanks a lot. I hope it will help many who have read it.

  • Jennifer, Belman/Kuwait

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Thankyou Dr. Nischith for sharing with us a very nice information about Kidney stones, pls if possible can u share with us information about heart or some other parts of the body also.

  • John Tauro, Mangalore / Kuwait

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    My Sincere thanks to Dr. Nischith D'Souza for this highly informative & instructive ariticle on kidney ailment.

  • Aloka Nath, Bengaluru

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    It is said in Bengaluru sub-urban areas where peolple depend on Borewell waters, water having a hardness of 500-600 ppm, are more prone to stone formation in kedneys and bladder.

  • pai, udupi/dubai

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Its nice informative article, rquest daiji to publich more informative articles with regard to other common deceases like diabeties, hypertension etc.

  • Rajesh Poojari, Udupi

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Thank you, Dr Nischith D'Souza very usefull and good information.

  • Alwyn Dsouza, udupi / kuwait

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Thanks for this type of health related article published in website. These types of articles are very useful for the public. We need more articles like how to prevent / precautions to control Diabetic, Heart attack, Blood pressure, Weight Loss, Piles, Asthma, Snoring etc.

  • ALWYN, Canada

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    Thank you Dr.D'Souza for your generous contribution towards society of sharing valuable health infor. Very few like you do such great noble work. God bless you for that. Many Dr. are there to wealth generators and do little to society. Let our lord Jesus bless you always.

  • Canute Pinto, Mangalore

    Sat, Mar 24 2012

    This the best article I ever red in daiji world which is very useful to everyone. Prevention is better than cure. Thank you Doctor for your precious advice and keep on writing in daiji world. God Bless You.

  • Kusuma Kumari G , Nellore/Kodyadka

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Good Article Dr Thank you vry much for teh article

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Loretto/Mumbai/Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thanks Dr. Nischith for this informative article on kidney stones. It cleared one big misconception I had that excess of Vit C aided in the formation of kidney stones. Actually most of the people in the Middle East avoid drinks like Tang thinking that they help in the formation of stones and I now think this is a myth as this particular concentrate is fortified with Vit C. Thanks doc and all the best!!

  • rajesh, mysore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thank you very much Doctor for your advice

  • aurel veigas, mangalore.thokur

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thank you Dr.

  • FAZIL, DXB

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thanks to Dr.Nischith, and one more best Doctor in Manglore is Dr. Ashok Pandit from Mangla Kidney foundation.

  • KRPrabhu, Kudla/Bengaluru

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    @Vishal,Mangalore/Bangalore
    It is not immediately known,what the term 'kalthi'mean.I have a doubt that it may be the ayurvedic herb"Neggina mullu" in Kannada.Neggina mullu (the raw)if boiled in hot water and flitered if taken regularly during or after effecting kidney stone decease,it will flush out the urine stone completely besides stoping formation of fresh ones. It is ultimate ayurvedic herb for kidney stone.
    'Chnadra prabhu vati' is also prescribed in treatment of urine stone decease.It also gives excellent result.

  • Praveen Bangera, Kaup/Mumbai

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Excellent article. Thank you Dr. Nischith and thanks to Daiji. Anticipating more and more informative articles from Daiji about health, sports etc, rather than political stories.

  • Sunil,,

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Very informative Article , Thanks Dr. for the free advise .Daiji should store this in the archives .

  • Amin Bhoja, Patte- Riyadh

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    A good article about Kidney stone,a formation and prevention and the treatment.It is good to have two glasses of normal or warm water early morninig, help a lot to prevent the formation of oxalate kind of stones in the kidney or in in the urinary bladder or in the tract itself.

  • Sampath kumar, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thank you very much Doctor for your advice

  • Riyaz Ahamad, Mangalore/Dammam,KSA

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    thanks Dr Nischith for ur good knowledgeable information, this kind of health related articles will help us to prevent & be cautious in our life...thanks once again...

  • fr. praveen ofm, Nakre/ Jerusalem

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Thanks Dr. Nischith for this very clear, simple but very informative. you have helped many of us...It is a great service for health by the daijiworld!!! kudos!

  • Vishal, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    A Gujarati friend of mine has confirmed that "kalthi" is extremely good to flush out kidney stone! Can some one enlighten the readers what is kalthi? Is it "kudu" in tulu? "Kulith" in Konkani"? He says that it is a miraculous medicine which is tried and proven. This info may be very useful to the readers.

  • Antony Cony D Souza, Karkala / Qatar

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    In general, I would like to take a few minutes of your time to thank you and let you know how appreciative and happy you took the time to put a informative page on Kidney essentials in this Daiji column. Media usually attribute so much of their energy in less important matters than required for a peaceful living. You Dr. Nischith, absolutely standing out among all the surgeons, testimonials speaks for itself, having saved numerous kidneys and others from further deterioration.

  • Abdullah Kunhi, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    It is very usefull information to prevent Kidney stone. Many cases of kidney stone problems in Mangalore.

  • vijay, mangalore

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Harsha Malhotra, Mangalore/New Delhi
    -
    Avoiding large portions of spinach, beet, tomatoes, nuts and chocolates is advisable.

  • Harsha Malhotra, Mangalore/New Delhi

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    dark chocolate is good for your heart..but not good for kidneys..!!

    aaila..!!!!

  • raghushetty, hosmar/indonesia

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    very nice tips . thank you sir

  • Alister Pinto, Bantwal/kuwait

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    good article thank you Dr Nischith....

  • MKS, Udupi

    Fri, Mar 23 2012

    Very informative article. Request Daijiworld to publish such health related, healthy articles regularly.


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Title: Kidney Stones - Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention



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