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Kidney stones
Where does kidney stone hurt?
Pain caused by kidney stones is generally in the lumbar region, that is, below the rib cage and beside the spine. If the stones are relatively small, most do not cause discomfort; however, when small stones fall into the ureter, they can cause renal colic. If the stones are large, they can cause kidney swelling or even infection, leading to a sour distention and pain in the lumbar area. The pain generally occurs on the side where the stone is located. In such cases, it is necessary to visit the hospital's urology department promptly for an ultrasound, and possibly a CT scan, to clearly determine the specific location and size of the stones, and whether there is associated swelling or infection, in order to manage the condition appropriately.
How to treat kidney stones and hydronephrosis?
If kidney stones are accompanied by hydronephrosis, it is usually because the stones are relatively large, blocking the renal pelvis, leading to the inability of urine within the kidney to be smoothly expelled from the body, which results in water accumulation. For this situation, it is advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. By removing the stones through surgery, the hydronephrosis of the kidney can be alleviated. It is mainly necessary to conduct examinations like ultrasound and CT scans to understand the specific size, location, and number of the stones, as well as whether there is an accompanying infection, before choosing an appropriate treatment plan. If there is an infection, it is necessary to control the infection before proceeding with the surgery. Currently, the primary surgical method is percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
What to eat for kidney stones?
Patients with kidney stones do not have particular dietary prohibitions, but it is generally advised to avoid long-term, large consumption of foods that promote stone growth. For instance, one should not regularly consume foods high in calcium, such as dairy products like milk and cheese, or soy products like tofu, soy milk, etc. These foods should be consumed in smaller quantities. Also, it is advisable to eat less food high in oxalates, such as celery, spinach, and others. If the stones are uric acid stones, it is recommended to reduce the intake of foods high in purines, such as seafood, as well as beer, beverages, and animal offal. These foods have high purine content and should be limited to prevent or reduce the formation of uric acid stones.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
The symptoms of kidney stones vary depending on the size and location of the stone, and whether there is associated hydronephrosis. If the stone inside the kidney is relatively small, most patients experience no discomfort, and it is generally discovered during an ultrasound examination at physical check-ups. However, if such a small stone falls into the ureter, it can irritate the ureteral walls and cause ureteral spasms, resulting in renal colic and, in some cases, hematuria. If the kidney stone is relatively large and causes kidney hydronephrosis or even pyonephrosis, the patient will experience sour swelling and pain in the waist on the side of the stone. If an infection occurs, symptoms such as chills and high fever may also appear.
How to relieve pain during a kidney stone attack?
When kidney stones occur, there are often significant pain symptoms. This is mainly due to the smaller stones in the kidney moving within the kidney or falling into the ureter, stimulating the ureter wall, causing ureteral spasms and subsequent pain. The pain usually appears suddenly and can be very intense. In such cases, it is necessary to go to the hospital promptly for spasm relief and pain treatment. Medications such as scopolamine, atropine, or tramadol can be used for pain relief. If necessary, scopolamine may need to be administered intravenously. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
What should not be eaten with kidney stones
Patients with kidney stones do not have absolute dietary prohibitions. However, it is advisable to consume less food high in calcium, oxalates, and purines. Foods high in purines are mainly found in seafood, animal offal, beer, and beverages. High-calcium foods are primarily found in soy products and dairy products, such as soy milk, tofu, and cow's milk. Foods high in oxalates include celery, spinach, etc. These foods can be consumed in moderation in daily life, but should not be used in large amounts over a long period to avoid further growth and increase of stones. It is also important to drink plenty of water, urinate frequently, and engage in appropriate physical exercise to effectively prevent the occurrence of kidney stones. Additionally, for patients who have already developed kidney stones, it is necessary to timely decide on conservative stone expulsion or surgical treatment based on the size of the stones.
Are kidney stones severe?
The severity of kidney stones depends on the size of the stones and their location. For example, stones within the kidney parenchyma, if not large and not moving, generally do not cause much trouble. However, if the stones block the area of the renal pelvis and calyces, or even move downward to block the ureter, causing the urine produced by the kidneys to not be excreted smoothly, it will cause the patient to experience renal colic. This type of pain is very intense, radiating to the back and causing abdominal pain, as well as pain in the perineal area. Patients often may also experience fever and other clinical symptoms. Prolonged obstruction of the urinary system can lead to renal failure, which is quite dangerous.
Is kidney stone surgery painful?
For the treatment of kidney stones, larger kidney stones or multiple stones, stag-horn stones might consider surgical treatment. There are two types of surgery, the first is percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which involves inserting a nephroscope through a puncture in the kidney to break up and expel the stones from the body; the second type of surgery is ureteroscopy, which does not require an incision, by entering the kidney through the urethra and ureter, and then breaking up the stones and expelling them from the body. Both surgical methods are performed under anesthesia, so the patient will not feel pain. However, pain after ureteroscopy is typically less than that after percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which requires absolute bed rest post-operation, while ureteroscopy does not.
What is the best treatment for kidney stones?
The treatment methods for kidney stones vary based on the size of the stone and whether it causes obstruction. If the kidney stone is relatively small and can pass through the ureter and urethra on its own, no special treatment is needed. In such cases, drinking more water, urinating frequently, and jumping can help the stone to pass naturally. If the kidney stone is relatively large but does not cause obstruction in the kidney or bladder, these patients can be temporarily observed with regular check-ups to monitor the stone's condition, without needing special treatment. Only when a large stone gets stuck at the junction of the renal pelvis, ureter, or urethra during its passage does it cause urinary obstruction, and the patient may also experience pain. In such cases, the treatment generally involves surgically removing the stone.
Early symptoms of kidney stones in women
The initial symptoms of kidney stones in women vary depending on the size of the stone and whether the stone causes an obstruction. Generally, during the early stages of kidney stones, the stones are relatively small and do not cause obstruction in the kidney or bladder, and typically do not present any symptoms. However, if a small stone moves downward and accidentally gets stuck in a naturally narrow part of the ureter, it can cause symptoms such as pain and discomfort in the lower back, nausea, and vomiting. If the stone gets stuck at the junction of the ureter and the bladder, it irritates the bladder mucosa, leading to symptoms of frequent urination, urgent urination, and painful urination. However, small stones generally pass on their own. Analgesics can be used for symptomatic treatment. Additionally, medications that dilate the ureter, along with drinking plenty of water and physical activity such as jumping, generally help the stone to pass.