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If pain shoots suddenly in the lower back or groin area, it could very well be the indisputable pain of kidney stones. These tiny but mighty mineral formations can bring the hardest guy to his knees. Our team of urologists at Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, sees firsthand the disruption kidney stones can bring into the lives of affected patients and how modern medicine is evolving to treat them.
Synopsis
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard, stone-like masses that form when minerals and salts crystallise in the kidneys. They may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball, and they can affect any part of your urinary tract. While some stones pass through unnoticed, others can cause severe symptoms when they move or obstruct the flow of urine.
Types of Kidney Stones
Knowing the different types of kidney stones can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about kidney stones. Major types include:
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Calcium Stones: Commonly formed of calcium oxalate.
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Uric Acid Stones: Likely to happen if you consume excess animal protein or have gout cases.
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Struvite Stones: Usually linked with urinary tract infections.
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Cystine Stones: Rare, but have a hereditary component.
Each may be treated slightly differently, so correct diagnosis is essential, which our urology department at Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, excels at.
Causes of Kidney Stones: The Real Culprits
The most common kidney stone causes are surprisingly everyday:
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Dehydration: Not enough water means concentrated urine, and concentrated urine encourages stone formation.
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Diet: Take the risk if you consume too much salt, sugar, or animal protein.
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Medical Conditions: Gout, obesity, certain bowel diseases, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
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Genetics: Family history could play a major role.
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Medications and Supplements: Include some diuretics, antacids, vitamin D, or calcium supplements.
If you are predisposed to kidney stones, our specialist in urology will work with you to identify and manage your personal risk factors.
Kidney Stone Symptoms: When to Get Help
Symptoms of kidney stones are all over the place: from silent to serious. Small stones will pass unnoticed but can become:
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Sudden and intense pains in the flank, lower back, abdomen, or groin (usually occurring in colicky waves)
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Nausea and vomiting
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Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown)
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Frequent urge or sudden urge to urinate
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Fever and chills (if infection is associated)
If you have severe pain, fever, or blood in the urine, consider it an emergency.
Latest Treatment for Kidney Stones: No More Struggling in Silence
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Laser treatment for kidney stones: speed and accuracy.
A thin, flexible instrument known as a ureteroscope is used to access the kidney stone during laser treatment (also known as laser lithotripsy). A laser then smashes it into tiny fragments that are either removed or pass through naturally. This treatment is quite effective, particularly for ureteral or kidney stones, and usually requires only a brief hospital stay.
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Ureteroscopy: See It and Treat It
Ureteroscopy includes inserting a tiny scope through the bladder and up the ureter to find and cure stones. Stones can be removed or broken up with laser energy. This operation is very effective for stones lodged in the ureter and is accessible at our hospital in Ghaziabad, where our urology experts use cutting-edge technology to achieve the best results.
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Lithotripsy: Breaking Stones without Surgery.
Lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that employs shock waves to smash up stones from outside the body. The particles then pass normally through the urine. This is a popular option for stones that are too big to pass yet do not qualify for other procedures.
When Do I Need Surgery?
In rare circumstances, if the stones are really large or causing difficulties, minimally invasive surgery may be required. Our urology unit at Ghaziabad offers a full range of options to ensure you get the safest, most effective care.
Prevention: Your Best Defence
Preventing kidney stones is often possible with a few lifestyle tweaks:
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Drink plenty of water throughout the day
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Limit salt, animal protein, and foods high in oxalate (like spinach and nuts)
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Maintain a healthy weight
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Follow your doctor’s advice on medications and supplements
Our urology doctors can create a personalised prevention plan based on your stone type and risk factors.
FAQ's
Common symptoms of kidney stones include severe back or side discomfort, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and frequent urination.
Kidney stones form when minerals and salts in the urine crystallise, which is commonly caused by dehydration, food, heredity, or underlying medical disorders.
Modern therapies for kidney stones include laser, ureteroscopy, and lithotripsy, which are less invasive and successful.
A ureteroscope is utilised to reach the stone, and then a laser is used to shatter it into little pieces for removal or natural passage.
Yes, kidney stones can be avoided by staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and reducing risk factors.
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