Kidney stones are hard deposits formed inside the kidney. These are usually made of chemicals like calcium, phosphate, oxalate, cystine, and other salts and minerals. When a lot of waste gets accumulated in the urine, crystals start to form that join together to form a solid. This solid crystal tends to grow in size until it is passed out of the body through urine. The kidney stones either stay inside the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter causing several complications.

The four types of kidney stones are:

• Calcium stones: Calcium stones are the most common types of kidney stones and are usually present in the form of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. These are formed because of inadequate calcium and fluid intake. These types of stones are common in metabolic conditions and could also be formed due to certain medications such as topiramate.

• Uric acid stones: Another common type of kidney stone, uric acid stones are formed due to high purine intake, loss of fluid due to chronic diarrhea or malabsorption, diabetes metabolic syndrome, and some genetic factors.

• Struvite stones: These stones form due to urinary tract infection and are less common. They tend to grow quickly and become large in a short period.

• Cystine stones: They are rare and form in people with a hereditary disorder known as cystinuria which causes cystine to leak in the urine. Too much cystine leads to the formation of such stones. These stones are larger than other kidney stones and tend to reoccur frequently.

While some kidney stones could be as small as a grain of sand, others could grow and become large. Sometimes the urine stones pass through urine without causing any pain but in certain cases, they lead to major complications. Some of the symptoms of kidney stone are:

• Sharp pain on either or both sides of the lower back
• Nausea
• Dark coloured urine or blood in the urine
• Fever and chills
• Prolonged stomach ache
• Burning sensation while urinating

Some of the causes of kidney stones include:

• Biological factors - family or personal history
• Low urine volume
• Bowel conditions
• Diet- oxalate-rich foods, high sodium intake
• Dehydration
• Obesity
• Digestive diseases and surgeries
• Certain medicines and supplements  
• Prevention And Treatment

Lifestyle changes
A couple of lifestyle changes may help you in preventing the formation of kidney stones:

• Drink enough fluids: Drinking fluids or simply water is one of the best ways to prevent kidney stones as it increases the urine flow. People with a history of kidney stones need to pass at least 2l of urine a day otherwise waste products get concentrated and become less likely to dissolve urine salts that cause stones. Juices from citrus foods like lemons, oranges etc are good options as they contain citrate which may prevent the formation of stones.

• Reduce the salt in your diet: Too much salt in urine prevents the reabsorption of calcium from the urine to the blood causing high urine calcium which results in the formation of kidney stones. Low urine calcium lowers the risk of developing stones. Read the labels carefully and avoid foods like canned vegetables, canned soups, lunch meat, condiments, processed foods, foods that contain sodium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate etc.

• Eat more calcium-rich foods: Calcium-rich foods do not lead to the formation of kidney stones, while a low-calcium diet may increase the risk. Some of the calcium-rich food options include low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, etc. However, calcium supplements can affect your kidney, so take them with your meal in a limited amount after referring to your doctor.

• Cut back on animal protein: Foods like beef, poultry, and fish are acidic and may increase the urine acid which could lead to the formation of uric acid and calcium oxalate kidney stones.

• Eat fewer oxalate-rich foods: Oxalate binds with the calcium in the urine and forms oxalate kidney stones. Limiting the intake of oxalate foods such as spinach, chocolate, sweet potatoes, peanuts etc may help prevent the risk. However, you can also prevent the risk if you eat high-oxalate foods along with calcium-rich foods as they bind together in the digestive tract before entering the kidneys and makes it harder for the stones to form.

• Increase the citric acid intake: Certain fruits and vegetables like grapefruit, oranges, lemons etc contain organic acid(citric acid) which helps in the prevention of calcium and oxalate kidney stones. It binds with the calcium in the urine and reduces the risk of the formation of new stones and in other cases, it binds with existing calcium oxalate crystals and prevents their growth, making it easy for you to pass them with urine.

 
Medication
If you have recurrent stones, then you must consult your doctor to get proper medication. But make sure to take the medicines according to the prescription otherwise medicines can increase the risk of kidney stones. Some of the prescribed medicines could be:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim)
• thiazide diuretic or a phosphate-containing preparation
• decongestants
• diuretics
• protease inhibitors
• steroids
• uricosuric drugs

If the stones don’t pass through the kidney and cause severe pain and problems, then you may need to undergo surgery to get rid of them. These surgeries include shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy,

The Centre for Renal Care at Sarvodaya Hospital is backed by highly experienced nephrologists who offer comprehensive management of Kidney Stones with procedures like RIRS, MINI PCNL, SUPER PCNL, SUPINE PCNL, and ECIRS.
Consult them by booking the appointment through the website or call 18003131414