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A kidney stone is a solid item that is created from urine-based compounds. Calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine are the four different forms of kidney stones. Shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or nephrolithotripsy are all options for treating kidney stones. Severe lower back pain, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, a fever, chills, and bad-smelling or murky urine are all common symptoms.
Crystals start to develop when there is too much waste in too little liquid. The crystals draw in additional substances and combine to produce a solid that will only grow unless it is eliminated from the body through urination. Diverse wastes are dissolved in urine. Typically, these substances are removed from the urine by the kidney.
The kidney is the body’s chief chemist. Most people’s kidney stones are either washed out by adequate liquid or prevented from developing by other substances in the urine. The stone may remain in the kidney once it forms or go through the ureter and into the bladder. Sometimes, very few stones leave the body through the urine without causing too much discomfort.
Calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate are the substances that cause stones to develop. There are some symptoms of having kidney stones. Some kidney stones are as little as a grain of sand. Some are the size of a stone. A number of them are the size of golf balls! Generally speaking, the symptoms become more pronounced the larger the stone.
Kidney stone symptoms
- Significant lower back aches on either side
- More nebulous discomfort or a persistent stomach ache
- Nausea or vomiting, fever, chills, and blood in the urine
- Bad-smelling or cloudy-looking pee
When a kidney stone irritates or blocks the urinary tract, pain develops. Extreme pain is being produced quickly. Kidney stones typically move through the body without harm, but generally not without excruciating pain. Painkillers could be the sole course of action required for tiny stones. For stones that produce persistent symptoms or other consequences, additional treatment could be required. Surgery, however, might be necessary for extreme circumstances.
Treatment for kidney stones
Kidney stones are treated similarly in adults and children. You could be instructed to consume a lot of water. Without performing surgery, doctors try to let the stone pass. You can also be prescribed medicine to lessen the acidity of your urine. However, surgery is required to remove it if it is too large, obstructs the passage of urine, or shows signs of infection.
To diagnose a kidney stone
Your specialists will require the precise size and shape of the kidney stones. This can be accomplished with a high-resolution CT scan from the kidneys to the bladder or a KUB x-ray (kidney, ureter, and bladder x-ray), which will display the size and location of the stone. The surgeons frequently get a KUB x-ray to establish whether the stone may be treated with shock waves. High-energy sound waves are used in the non-invasive process known as shock-wave lithotripsy to shatter the stones into smaller, more manageable fragments to pass the urine.
The CT scan is typically preferable for diagnosis, however, the KUB test may be utilized to monitor your stone both before and after therapy. A unique sort of X-ray of the urinary system called an intravenous pyelogram, or lVP, is done after injecting a dye, it may also be prescribed by doctors for some patients. And also your doctors will decide how to treat your stone.
The health of your kidneys will be evaluated by blood tests and urine tests. Your overall health and the size and location of your stone will be considered. Later, your doctor will want to find the cause of the stone. The stone will be analyzed after it comes out of your body, and your doctor will test your blood for calcium, phosphorus, and uric acid. The doctor may also ask that you collect your urine for 24 hours to test for calcium and uric acid.
Home remedies to treat kidney stones
Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which helps to break the stone and ease the pain. But people having diabetes may take precautions not to take much on a regular basis.
Lemon juice:
Lemon contains citric acid which helps to break stones into small pieces and pass through urine easily. You can mix some fresh lemon juice with water and have it.
Basil juice:
Mixing with water can also be helpful to get rid of the pain. You can make basil tea and have it twice daily.
Celery:
Celery helps to clear all the bad toxins from your body. Take some celery and grind it with water. Squeeze out the juice and drink slowly. It will help to break kidney stones.
Summary
Some other ways to decrease kidney stones are to lose weight, limit salt, and cut enough calcium intake. Reduce oxalate-rich foods like dried peas and beans, nuts, spinach, tea, etc. In major risky cases, your doctor may suggest surgery. Consult your doctor before any home remedies for your own safety.
