Kidney Stones Dubai
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Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salt that form inside your kidneys. They can vary in size, ranging from tiny particles to large stones that can fill the kidney’s collecting system. Kidney stones can cause significant pain and discomfort, especially when they move through the urinary tract.
Key Points about Kidney Stones
How They Form
- Kidney stones develop when the urine contains more crystal-forming substances, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, than the fluid in your urine can dilute.
- At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.
Types of Kidney Stones
- Calcium Stones: The most common type, typically made of calcium oxalate, but can also be made of calcium phosphate. High levels of calcium in the urine increase the risk of these stones.
- Struvite Stones: These can form in response to a urinary tract infection. They can grow quickly and become quite large.
- Uric Acid Stones: Can form in people who don't drink enough fluids, lose too much fluid, or eat a high-protein diet. Genetics may also play a role.
- Cystine Stones: These stones form in people with a hereditary disorder called cystinuria, which causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids.
Symptoms
- Severe Pain: Often described as the worst pain ever experienced, usually felt in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin. The pain can come in waves and fluctuate in intensity as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
- Blood in Urine: The urine may appear pink, red, or brown due to bleeding caused by the stone.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Caused by the pain or the body’s response to the presence of the stone.
- Frequent Urination: A persistent urge to urinate, urinating in small amounts, or burning sensation during urination if the stone is near the bladder.
- Cloudy or Foul-Smelling Urine: Could indicate an infection associated with the stone.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to concentrated urine, increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
- Diet: High intake of sodium, sugar, and protein can increase the risk of kidney stones.
- Obesity: Excess body weight can alter the chemical balance in the urine, making it more likely for stones to form.
- Family History: A family history of kidney stones increases the risk.
- Digestive Diseases and Surgery: Conditions like Crohn’s disease or surgeries like gastric bypass can affect the absorption of calcium and water, increasing stone formation risk.
- Certain Medications: Some drugs, including diuretics, calcium-based antacids, and certain antibiotics, can contribute to the development of kidney stones.
Diagnosis
- Imaging Tests: CT scans, ultrasounds, or X-rays can detect the presence and size of stones.
- Urine Tests: To check for substances that form stones and to monitor the kidney's function.
- Blood Tests: To identify high levels of calcium, uric acid, or other substances that can cause stones.
Treatment
- Drinking Water: Small stones can often be passed naturally by drinking plenty of water to flush the urinary system.
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications may be used to manage pain while waiting for the stone to pass.
- Medications: Alpha-blockers may be prescribed to relax the muscles in the ureter and help pass the stone more easily.
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): A procedure that uses sound waves to break larger stones into smaller pieces, making them easier to pass.
- Ureteroscopy: A thin tube is passed through the urethra and bladder to reach the stone. The stone is then removed or broken into smaller pieces.
- Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: For very large stones, surgery may be required to remove the stone directly from the kidney.
Prevention
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps dilute substances in urine that can lead to stones.
- Dietary Changes: Reducing salt, animal proteins, and oxalate-rich foods (like spinach and nuts) can lower the risk of stone formation.
- Medications: For those prone to certain types of stones, medications can help control the underlying causes, such as high calcium or uric acid levels.
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