Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment • Hello Sehat
Definition
What are kidney stones (urinary stones)?
Stones in the kidney are hard deposits formed from minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. This process, called nephrolithiasis, is very small, up to several inches in size.
This type of kidney disease also has deposits that are larger in size and fill the ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. These stones are called staghorn stones.
Small stones usually travel through the urinary tract and out of the body without you knowing it. However, some stones will continue to enlarge in the body for months to years.
If these stones travel to the ureter, you can feel excruciating pain in the lower abdomen to the groin.
How common is this disease?
Kidney stones are a common disease and usually affect people over the age of 40. Reporting from Harvard Health Publishing, patients with kidney disease are mostly male. However, one woman out of every eight men can contract this disease.
Signs & symptoms
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
One third of people in the world have problems with their kidney stones. However, half of them show signs and symptoms. Although most cases show no symptoms, the formation of stones in these bean-shaped organs can be fatal.
In addition, stones stuck in the bladder can cause urinary stones and cause symptoms that interfere with activity.
One of the symptoms of kidney stones that often occurs is a feeling of excruciating pain. However, this pain does not always occur and is felt to move from the back side to the lower part of the stomach.
There are also other signs and symptoms of this disease that you need to be aware of, namely:
- Pain in the side, back and bottom of the ribs.
- Lower abdominal and groin pain.
- Burning sensation and pain when urinating.
- Bloody urine.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever and chills when an infection occurs.
If you experience some of the symptoms above or that are not mentioned, especially chills to fever, immediately consult a doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
This kidney problem initially did not show any symptoms. In fact, many people are not sure about the condition of their bodies. However, you need to see a doctor if you experience the following symptoms.
- Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
- Pain accompanied by fever and chills.
- Difficulty urinating and bloody urine.
Cause
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones can form when urine or urine contains too many chemicals. Chemicals such as calcium, uric acid, cystine, or strutive can accelerate stone formation.
However, there are several types of kidney stones based on the cause, namely:
1. Calcium deposits
Stone urine is often caused by kidney stones that contain calcium. Excess calcium can be a cause of kidney stones. The reason is, the calcium that is not used by the bones and muscles goes to the kidneys.
In most people, the kidneys excrete extra calcium along with the rest of the urine. People who have calcium stones store calcium in their kidneys.
The calcium that remains behind combines with other waste products to form rock. A person can have calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, although calcium oxalate stones are more common.
2. High uric acid
A uric acid stone can also form when urine contains too much acid. People who eat a lot of meat, fish, and shellfish may get gout stones.
3. Kidney infection
Struvite stones in the kidneys, too, can form after you have a kidney infection.
4. Genetic factors
Cystine stones are the result of a genetic disorder, which means that the problem is passed from parent to child. The disorder causes cystine to leak through the kidneys and into the urine.
Risk factors
What increases the risk of kidney stone disease?
There are many risk factors for accelerating stone formation, namely:
- Have had kidney stones.
- Family members suffer from kidney stones.
- Not drinking enough water.
- Follow a diet high in protein, sodium or sugar.
- Being overweight to obesity.
- Have had surgery for digestive or intestinal diseases.
- History of polycystic kidney disease or other cystic kidney disease.
- Suffering from a bladder infection.
- Experiencing swelling or irritation of the intestines and joints.
- Use of certain drugs, such as diuretics or calcium antacids.
Diagnosis
What are the tests to detect this disease?
In most cases, your doctor will recommend that you undergo one of the tests for kidney function and abnormalities. Tests to detect this nephrolithiasis process include:
- Blood test to detect the amount of calcium and uric acid in the blood.
- A urine test that shows whether or not you have excreted too many minerals.
- Imaging tests in the form of a CT scan to find kidney stones to the smallest.
- Ultrasound because it is quicker and easier to diagnose stones.
- Analyze stones that come out of the urine by using a filter.
Drugs & Medicines
What are the options for kidney stone medications?
Treatment of kidney stones is based on the size, the chemicals that make them up, and the location of the stones. In some cases, stones will pass out of the body on their own without the help of a doctor.
1. Treatment when there are no symptoms
For those of you who do not have any symptoms, but were diagnosed with stones in the kidney, you can do the following things to help remove the stones.
- Drink 2-3 liters of water to thin the urine.
- Take pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, as directed by your doctor.
- Medical therapy, such as alpha blockers or therapy that can relax the ureter (urinary tract) muscles.
2. Treatment with severe symptoms
Meanwhile, stones that do not pass on their own require help from a urologist, a doctor who specializes in bladder disease.
Stones that are too large can cause bleeding, kidney damage, and urinary tract infections. Because of this, you may need treatment that is directly supervised by a doctor, namely:
- ESWL Therapy (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) to break stones.
- The operation of removing the stone is called percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
- Ureteroscopy, which is the use of a ureteroscope to find crystals in stones.
- Surgical removal of the parathyroid glands to prevent stone growth.
3. Natural way to break down kidney stones
In addition to drinking water, here are natural ways to pass stones through urine. However, keep in mind that usually this method needs to be consulted with your doctor before you try it.
- Avoid foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, beets, and almonds.
- Drink lemon water as it binds calcium and inhibits stone formation.
- Limit foods high in sodium to reduce the amount of calcium in the urine.
- Reduce your intake of animal protein, which can increase uric acid levels.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that help treat kidney stones?
Kidney stone treatment will not be successful if it is not accompanied by lifestyle changes that help overcome this problem. Here are some things you need to do after being diagnosed with this disease.
- Take medication as directed by your doctor.
- Follow the doctor’s advice regarding diet.
- Drink water, at least 2-3 liters a day.
- Call the doctor if the condition gets worse.
If you have any other questions, please consult with your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.
Prevention
Prevent kidney stone disease
People who have had kidney disease on this one are very likely to experience the same condition. Therefore, you need to change your lifestyle to be healthier to prevent it.
These lifestyle changes also depend on the type of stone and why the condition has developed.
1. Drink enough water
Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day can help the body get rid of excess minerals from the body. Mineral buildup can occur when the body is dehydrated and increases the risk of kidney stones forming.
2. Limiting consumption of animal protein
For those of you who have had stones in your kidneys, you should also limit your intake of beef, chicken and eggs. In some cases, consumption of processed milk may also need to be limited.
3. Reduce eating salty foods
The salt and sodium content in salty foods can trigger kidney stone disease by increasing the amount of calcium in the urine. Therefore, you need to limit your salt intake to a maximum of 1 teaspoon of table salt a day.
4. Maintain ideal body weight
Obesity is often associated with a risk of kidney disease, including kidney stones. The reason is, being overweight can increase the amount of calcium in the urine and insulin resistance.
5. Be careful with calcium supplements
Calcium in the diet usually doesn’t have a big impact on the risk of stone formation. It is advisable to eat foods rich in calcium, unless a doctor recommends limiting their intake.
Instead, ask your doctor about calcium supplements, as they are said to speed stone growth. On the other hand, a low calcium diet can also increase stone formation in some people.
Calcium in food has no effect on your risk of kidney stones. Continue to eat calcium-rich foods unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Don’t forget to always consult a doctor or nutritionist regarding a diet that is suitable for your current body condition.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Ferri, Fred. Ferri’s Netter Patient Advisor. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders / Elsevier, 2012. Print. Page 627
Kidney Stone. (2020). Mayo Clinic, Retrieved 11 April 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755
Solan, M. (2018). 5 things can help you take a pass on kidney stones. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved 13 July 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-things-can-help-take-pass-kidney-stones-2018030813363
Kidney Stone: diagnosis and treatment. (2020). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 13 July 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355759
Kidney stones: common painful, preventable. (2012). Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved 13 July 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/kidney-stones-common-painful-preventable
