Kidney stones are prevalent in men and women. A lot of people get kidney stones every year. 

If you have pain in your back or side, have nausea, trouble urinating, or pain while urinating, you may have kidney stones. 

Treating them as soon as possible is essential as they can convert into more significant problems.

In this article, Dr. Neeta Verma, one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar, talks about kidney stones.

What is a Kidney Stone?

A kidney stone is a solid mass that is made of crystals. They usually originate in your kidneys. 

You may not even realize the kidney stone is present if it is tiny. However, small stones can cause excruciating pain while exiting your body through the urinary tract. 

A large stone can be trapped in your ureter, the tube draining urine from your kidney to your bladder. If this happens, this stone can restrict urine from leaving your body and cause bleeding. And If the stone does not pass on its own, you may need surgery to get it removed.

If you want to get treatment for kidney stones, Dr. Neeta Verma is one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar. She has over six years of experience and has successfully treated many patients.

Symptoms

According to Dr. Neeta, kidney stones can cause severe pain. They do not show symptoms until starting to move down the ureters. This pain can be on one side of your back or your abdomen.

Other symptoms can include:

• Blood in your urine
• Pain while urinating
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Chills 
• Fever
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Urinating small amounts of urine
• Discolored or foul-smelling urine

Causes 

According to Dr. Neeta, one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar, some of the following are the causes due to which you can get kidney stones:

• If you don’t drink enough liquids
• And If you get a diet including the substances that form the stones
• If you have a family history of kidney stones
• If you have a urinary blockage tract

Some medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing kidney stones. This can happen because these medical conditions can increase or decrease the levels of substances making up the kidney stones.

These conditions include: 

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypercalciuria (calcium levels in your urine are high) 
• High blood pressure
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney cysts
• Cystic fibroids

Overconsumption of some foods can increase your risk for kidney stones:

• Meats and poultry 
• Sodium
• Sugars

You can have kidney stones for years without knowing they are there. You won’t feel anything as long as they stay in the kidney. The pain typically starts when the stone starts moving out of your kidney. Sometimes, rock can form within a few months.

Diagnosis

Your urologist will check your medical history and might tell you to get some tests, says Dr. Neeta. These tests include:

Imaging tests

Imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound can help your urologist to see the number, location, shape, and size of kidney stones. These tests will help the urologist determine the type of treatment you need. 

Blood test

A blood test is used to determine how your kidneys are functioning if there is an infection present and help to decide if there are any biochemical issues that can lead to kidney stones.

Urine test

This test checks for signs of infection and determines the levels of substances forming kidney stones.

Treatment

According to Dr. Neeta, one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar, your doctor will decide whether you need treatment or not after you have been diagnosed with kidney stones. Small kidney stones may pass when you urinate. This can be very painful. If your urologist decides you need treatment, the options will be medications and surgery. 

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe you medications to decrease the pain caused by kidney stones and to manage vomiting and nausea. 

Surgery

There are different types of surgeries that are performed to remove kidney stones. 

Ureteroscopy

To accomplish this procedure, a little device called a ureteroscope is introduced into your urethra, past your bladder, and into your ureter. 

This ureteroscope shows kidney stones and retrieves them or breaks them with the help of a laser. These smaller pieces of stones can exit your body quickly through the urinary tract.

Shockwave lithotripsy

You will be place on a particular type of surgical table or tub. Shockwaves of high energy will be sent through the water to the kidney stones. This makes them able to exit your body quickly.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy

This procedure is consider if there are too many stones, if they are huge and heavy, or due to their location. 

A tube will be inserted into your kidney directly through a small incision in your back. 

The stones will be broken into fragments with an ultrasound probe, so you don’t need to pass the pieces.

A ureteral stent is placed after the procedure and will be removed after a week.

Prevention

According to Dr. Neeta, one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar, these are some ways by which you can decrease your risk of getting kidney stones: 

Drink plenty of water

Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Staying hydrated will help you urinate more often, helping you flush away the substance buildup causing kidney stones. 

Limit salt consumption

Try to eat less salt. You can contact a dietician for advice on foods you should and shouldn’t eat. 

Maintain a healthy weight

If you are overweight, try to lose some of it. You can ask your doctor about what your ideal weight should be.

Take prescription medications

Your urologist might prescribe you some medications to prevent kidney stones.

Conclusion:

Kidney stones could be excruciating and frustrating. They can worsen over time if not treated sooner. Going to a urologist as soon as you see the symptoms is essential. 

It is also essential to make changes in your lifestyle to prevent yourself from getting kidney stones.

You can visit Dr. Neeta Verma, one of the best urologists in Bhubaneswar, to get more information about kidney stones.