Let's talk about kidney stones in simple terms.

Have you ever had an unbearable backache or pain in the side of your stomach? Sometimes this pain can feel like it's going to your groin. Along with this, you may feel nauseous and may even pass blood in your urine. When something like this happens, we often get scared. One of the main reasons for this can be the formation of kidney stones. Today, we will talk about this in a simple way so that you can understand how it occurs, what are the symptoms, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from recurring.

What are these kidney stones?

Simply put, kidney stones are hard, stone-like pieces that form inside our kidneys. They are formed when minerals and acids in our urine combine and harden over time. To be precise, this is called `(Renal Calculi)` or `(Nephrolithiasis)` in medical terms.

Think about it, these stones can be as small as a grain of sand, or in rare cases, they can be as large as a golf ball. You may not even know you have a kidney stone. This is because if the stone is very small, it can pass out of the body with urine without any pain .

But the problem starts when this stone gets a little bigger. Then it can get stuck in the ureter, the thin tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. When this happens, the urine cannot flow down and starts to fill up inside the kidney. This can cause kidney function to be impaired and lead to bleeding. This is the cause of that unbearable pain.

It usually takes about three weeks for a small stone to pass through the urine. But even small stones can sometimes cause severe pain. If the stone is large or does not pass on its own, a doctor may have to break it up or remove it surgically.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

The main and most common symptom of kidney stones is pain. This pain can be felt in the lower back, abdomen, or groin. It may feel like it's going to the groin. Sometimes it's a mild ache, but it can also be a sudden, severe, stabbing pain. It's also called ``Colicky pain'' because the pain comes and goes in waves.

In addition to this main pain, there may be several other symptoms. Let's see what they are.

Why do we get kidney stones?

This is very simple to understand. Imagine that we add some sugar to a glass of water and dissolve it. If we add more sugar, and more sugar, eventually the sugar will not dissolve and will settle at the bottom of the glass, right? That's what happens inside our kidneys.

Our urine contains a lot of substances like calcium, sodium, oxalate, and uric acid. When we don't drink enough water , our urine becomes thick. The concentration of these substances increases, and they stick together, forming small crystals. These crystals accumulate over time and become stones. This process can take months, or even years.

There are several types of kidney stones.

Stones can be divided into four main types based on the type of crystals they form.

1. Calcium stones: These are the most common type. There are two types: `(Calcium-oxalate)` and `(Calcium phosphate)`. Not drinking enough water, eating foods high in oxalate (like spinach, peanuts), and eating a diet low in calcium can cause them to form.

2. Uric acid stones: People who eat a lot of animal protein, such as beef, chicken, pork, eggs, and fish, can develop these types of stones.

3. Struvite stones: These are formed due to bacterial infections in the urinary tract. In a person who has frequent infections, these stones can form and sometimes grow into very large stones called ``Staghorn calculi`` that spread throughout the kidney. These usually have to be removed surgically.

4. Cystine stones: These are somewhat rare. They are caused by a hereditary condition called ``Cystinuria''.

Who is at higher risk of developing kidney stones?

Some people are more likely to develop kidney stones than others. Let's take a look at what those risk factors are.

• Not drinking enough water: This is the main reason.
• Diet: Excessive consumption of meat, foods high in salt, and foods high in sugar (sucrose and fructose).
• Vitamin C supplements: Taking too much vitamin C supplements can also affect some people.
• Family history: If someone in your family has had kidney stones, you are more likely to develop them too.
• Urinary tract obstruction: The presence of some obstruction in the urinary tract.
• Certain surgeries: Surgery on the stomach or intestines, especially for weight loss, such as gastric bypass surgery.
• Some medications: Some medications such as diuretics and antacids containing calcium.
• Other medical conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, gout, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also increase the risk.

What other complications can occur due to kidney stones?

Kidney stones are not just painful. If not treated properly, they can lead to other serious health problems.

• Hydronephrosis: A stone can block the urinary tract, causing urine to flow backward and causing the kidney to swell.
• Kidney infection (Pyelonephritis): Bacteria can grow in blocked urine and spread to the kidneys.
• Acute kidney injury: Kidney function can suddenly stop working. But this can often be reversed.
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) .
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Long-term damage to the kidneys can lead to permanent loss of function.

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to see a doctor with your symptoms, he or she will examine you and then order several tests to confirm whether you have kidney stones.

• Urine test: This checks for blood in the urine, types of stones, and signs of infection.
• Imaging: An X-ray, ultrasound scan, or CT scan can help determine the size, shape, location, and number of stones.
• Blood tests: These tests help check how your kidneys are functioning and the levels of things like calcium in your blood.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment is determined by the size of the stone, its location, and the symptoms it causes.

Medicines

If the stone is small, meaning it can pass naturally with urine, your doctor will prescribe medications to help control the pain and help the stone pass more easily.

• Medications that help pass stones: Medications like Tamsulosin that relax the ureter and allow the stone to pass more easily.
• Painkillers: Since the pain is severe, medication is given to control it. However, do not take medications like ibuprofen without consulting your doctor. Sometimes, they can damage your kidneys.
• Medicines for nausea and vomiting.

Surgery and other methods

If the stone is large, blocking the urethra, or does not pass on its own after several weeks, the doctor may recommend a special procedure to break it up or remove it.

Can kidney stones be prevented from recurring?

Yes, it is definitely possible. A person who has had kidney stones once is more likely to develop them again. Therefore, it is very important to do these things to avoid having to go through this painful experience again.

• Drink plenty of water: It is essential to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. If your urine is light yellow or colorless, it means that you are drinking enough water.
• Limit animal proteins: Reduce the amount of meat, fish, and eggs you eat.
• Reduce salt and sugar: Stay away from packaged foods, fast food, and sugary drinks as much as possible.
• Limit foods high in oxalate: If you have developed calcium oxalate stones, your doctor may advise you to limit foods like spinach, peanuts, and wheat bran.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat foods rich in calcium: This may seem surprising, but eating foods rich in calcium, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, can help prevent stone formation. However, taking calcium supplements can increase your risk. Therefore, do not take calcium supplements without consulting your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any suspicions that you have symptoms of kidney stones, see a doctor immediately. It's important to know where the stone is, how big it is, and start treatment before complications occur.

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?

Kidney stones can be a very painful experience. But remember, this is a temporary condition that can be completely cured with proper treatment. So don't panic. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly, take your medicine on time, and drink plenty of water.