Renal Stone

Overview

Renal stone/ Kidney Stone/ Renal calculi/ Nephrolithiasis, are solid masses made of crystals. They usually originate in kidneys, but can also develop in ureter & urinary bladder.

There are four main types of kidney stones:

• Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stones. They are usually made of calcium and oxalate (a natural chemical found in most foods), but are sometimes made of calcium and phosphate.
• Uric acid stones form when your urine is often too acidic. Uric acid can form stones by itself or with calcium.
• Struvite stones can happen when you have certain types of urinary tract infections in which bacteria make ammonia that builds up in your urine. Struvite stones are made of magnesium, ammonium and phosphate.
• Cystine stones are made of a chemical that your body makes naturally, called cystine. Cystine stones are very rare.

Symptoms

• severe pain in flank region, back, belly, side part of the body, groin region
• Pus or Blood with urination
• Nausea, Vomiting
• Burning urination
• Scanty & Frequent urination or persistent urge to urinate
• Fever and chill if Urinary tract infection occurred

Causes and Risk factors for Renal Stone

• Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine, so Dehydration is a major risk factor for kidney stone formation. So people taking certain medicines, such as diuretics (water pills) or calcium-based antacids, are at risk.
• People having Renal stones before or if Someone in their  family has had Renal stones, are at risk.
• People having  polycystic kidney disease or another cystic kidney disease, are at risk.
• People having high intake of animal protein, a high-salt diet, excessive sugar consumption, excessive vitamin D supplementation, and excessive intake of oxalate-containing foods such as spinach are at risk.
• People with certain medical conditions, such as gout, and those who take certain medications or supplements are at risk for kidney stones.
• People having some metabolic conditions Hypercalciuria (high calcium in the urine), hyperparathyroidism, kidney diseases such as renal tubular acidosis, and other inherited metabolic conditions, including cystinuria and hyperoxaluria are at risk.

Prevention & Management

• Fluid intake and dietary changes are important measures in preventing recurrence of kidney stones.
• Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individual’s medical history, changes in the diet or medications are sometimes recommended.
• People who have a tendency to form calcium oxalate kidney stones may be advised to limit their consumption of foods high in oxalate, such as cucumber, green peppers, beetroot, spinach, soya bean, chocolate, rhubarb, popcorn, and sweet potato. Also drinking lemon juice or lemonade may be helpful in preventing kidney stones.
• Homeopathy is a painless therapy for Renal stones with wonderful effects and can cause Non-surgical expulsion of Renal stones.
• Many surgical procedures are available to remove renal stones.