Have you ever had an unbearable, crippling pain that suddenly starts on one side of your back and travels all the way to your lower abdomen? Some people compare this pain to the pain of childbirth. If you have severe pain like this, and it is difficult to urinate , or if you have blood in your urine, it could be a sign that a kidney stone is stuck in the urethra. Today we are talking about Ureteral Stones, which are kidney stones that get stuck in the urethra. Don't worry, let's explain everything in simple terms.
Simply put, what are ureteral stones?
A ureteral stone is actually a kidney stone that has broken free and become lodged in the thin tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. This tube is called the ureter. We all have two such tubes for our kidneys .
Think of it like the two filters in our body. They clean the blood and remove waste products as urine. Sometimes, minerals and salts in your urine can form small, lumpy stones. This is what we call kidney stones or calculi. As long as these stones are in the kidney , they may not cause any problems. But when they break free and start moving down the narrow tube, the problem starts. The tube is narrow, so the stone gets stuck there. Then the flow of urine is obstructed, the tube swells, and that is the cause of the unbearable pain.
These stones can come in all sizes. Very small stones, too small to be seen with the naked eye, pass out of the body with urine without any problems. But when the stone gets bigger, it gets stuck in the duct and starts showing symptoms.
Remember, kidney stones are not as rare as you might think. Only one in ten people in the world can develop this condition. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
What are the main types of kidney stones?
These stones that form in our bodies are not all of the same type. There are several main types based on the chemicals that cause them. Knowing what type of stone you have can help you treat it and prevent it from forming again.
| Stone Type | It's simply made like this: |
|---|---|
| Calcium stones | These are the most common type. When the amount of calcium in the urine increases, it combines with calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate to form these stones. |
| Uric acid stones | This type of stone can form if you have too much uric acid in your urine. People who eat a lot of red meat and fish and don't drink enough water are at higher risk. |
| Struvite stones | These stones often form after a urinary tract infection (UTI) . The bacteria that causes the infection change the chemical composition of the urine, causing these stones to form. |
| Cystine stones | This is a bit rare. These stones are formed due to a hereditary genetic condition called Cystinuria, which causes the amino acid cystine to leak from the kidneys into the urine. |
What are the symptoms of a stone getting stuck?
Most small stones pass through the body without any sound. But if a stone is large enough to block the duct, you will definitely start to feel it. These symptoms can start suddenly.
| Symptom | How does that feel? |
|---|---|
| Severe pain | A sharp pain that starts on one side of the back, just below the ribs. This pain is not constant, but comes and goes (intermittent). This pain can spread to the lower abdomen and groin area. |
| Pain during urination | Burning or pain when urinating. |
| Changes in urine | Urine may appear pink, red, or brown due to blood in the urine. Urine may also appear cloudy. |
| Frequent need to urinate | Even though the bladder is not full, there is a frequent feeling of needing to urinate. However, when you do urinate, only a very small amount comes out. |
| Vomiting and nausea | Nausea and vomiting may occur along with severe pain. |
| Fever and chills | If a urinary tract infection occurs along with the stone, symptoms such as fever, chills, and shivering may also occur. |
Causes and risk factors for stone formation
The simplest reason is that there are more stone-forming chemicals (crystals) in your urine than there is water. When we drink enough water, these chemicals dissolve and are excreted in the urine. But when we drink less water, the urine becomes more concentrated and these substances start to bind together and form stones.
Although anyone can develop stones, some people are at a slightly higher risk.
- For men: Although women and children can also develop stones, men are more likely to develop stones.
- Between the ages of 40 and 60: People in this age group are at higher risk.
- Having a history of previous stone formation: If you have had stones before, you are more likely to develop them again.
- Family history : If someone in your family (mother, father, siblings) has had gallstones, you are also at risk.
- Not drinking enough water: People who work hard or exercise are at higher risk if they don't drink enough water.
- Certain medical conditions: Type 2 diabetes , obesity (BMI over 30), inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and polycystic kidney disease can increase the risk of stone formation.
How do you find this, Doctor?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and your family history. Then, they will order some tests to confirm whether it is a kidney stone.
- Urinalysis: This checks your urine for signs of infection, blood, and minerals that can cause stones. A urine culture may also be done if an infection is suspected.
- Blood test: This can find out how your kidneys are working, whether you have an infection, and whether there are other problems that could contribute to stone formation.
- Scans:
- Ultrasound scan: Uses sound waves to check for blockages in the urinary tract.
- X-ray: Some types of stones can be seen with an X-ray examination.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): This is the most accurate test that is often performed. It can accurately determine the size, location, and hardness of the stone. This information is very important for planning treatment.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the size of the stone, its location, and the material it is made of. Your doctor will consider all of these factors and recommend the best treatment for you.
For small stones
If the stone is smaller than 4-5 millimeters, it will likely pass out of your body with urine. This can take one to two weeks. During this time:
- Painkillers: The doctor prescribes medication to control severe pain.
- Medicine for vomiting: If there is nausea and vomiting, medicine will be given for that as well.
- Medications to help stones pass (Medical Expulsive Therapy - MET): Medications such as ``alpha-blockers'' can be given to relax the muscles in the urethra and help the stone pass more easily.
During this time, you will be told to drink at least 3 liters of water a day . This will flush the urinary system and help the stone pass more quickly.
For large stones or blockages
If the stone is large, causes severe pain, or is completely blocking the flow of urine, your doctor (usually a urologist) may suggest one of the following treatments:
| Treatment method | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Shock wave lithotripsy | High-energy shock waves are directed from outside the body to break up the stones. The small pieces are then easily passed out in the urine. |
| Ureteroscopy (removal of stones through a tube) | A thin, long, flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the urethra, and the stone is reached, grasped, and removed. If the stone is large, a laser beam is used to break it up and remove the pieces. |
| Stone removal through a small incision in the skin (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy) | This is done for very large stones. A small incision is made in the back, through which a tool is inserted directly into the kidney to locate and remove the stone. |
| Ureteral stents | This is a temporary solution. A thin tube is inserted into the urethra to help urine flow past the stone blockage. This is very useful in emergencies. |
Can stones be prevented from forming again?
Yes, it definitely is possible! Once a person has had a stone, they are more likely to develop it again. That's why it's important to make small changes to your lifestyle and eating habits.
- Water, water, more water! The best thing you can do is drink plenty of water. Drink at least 3 liters of fluids a day. Water is best. Things like lemon juice and orange juice are also good. The best way to know if you are drinking enough water is to check the color of your urine. If it is light yellow, you are drinking enough water.
- Reduce animal protein: Eating too much animal protein like red meat, fish, and eggs can increase uric acid levels and lead to stone formation. Instead, add plant-based protein like lentils, chickpeas, green beans, and soy to your diet.
- Control salt: Reduce the amount of salt you consume per day. Instead of salt, add lime, pepper, and spices to your food to enhance its flavor.
- Limit foods high in oxalate: Foods like spinach, peanuts, cashews, potatoes, and beets are high in oxalate. You don't have to completely avoid these, but it's best to limit your intake. Consuming these with calcium-rich foods (milk, yogurt) can help reduce the risk of stone formation.
Your doctor may give you a special strainer to collect the stones that come out. They will then examine the stones and, depending on the type, give you specific instructions to prevent future stones.
Take-Home Message
- The pain caused by a kidney stone is very severe. If you have symptoms such as sudden severe back/leg pain, blood in your urine, see a doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- The best and simplest way to prevent stone formation is to drink enough water daily.
- Small stones often pass on their own with medication and drinking plenty of water. There are now very effective and safe treatments for larger stones.
- By changing your diet and lifestyle, you can significantly reduce the risk of stones forming again in the future.
- Although this condition is annoying and painful, it can be completely cured with proper treatment. So don't panic and follow your doctor's instructions.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න