Kidney Stones an overview

Known by multiple names such as urolithiasis, nephrolithiasis, urinary stones, etc., kidney stone is not an unheard ailment that plagues our society. According to national and international statistics, the incidence of kidney stones is on a rise and will continue. Awareness through relevant and trustworthy information could have a huge impact on how we deal with this incessant condition.

Estimated cases of more than one million per year of kidney stones occur in India. Kidney stone cases are less in children as compared to adults. It has also been reported that children with asthma are four times more likely to develop kidney stones than children who don’t have asthma.

A severe, sharp pain in the lower back, side that extends to the lower abdomen and groin, varying in intensity and coming in waves, is a prominent symptom of kidney stones. The pain may shift to different locations as the stone travels through the urinary tract. Other symptoms may include- painful urination or burning sensation while urinating, pink/red/brown urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, persistent urge to urinate, urinating in small amounts or more frequently, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills if an infection is present.

There are various risk factors associated with kidney stone occurrence. A few major ones are discussed here, some could be surprising. Family or personal history of kidney stones, dehydration, diets high in protein, salt or sugar, obesity, digestive diseases or surgeries which change your digestive system (affect absorption of calcium and water), and conditions like blood pressure, cystinuria, and diabetes may elevate the risk for kidney stones. Medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, calcium-based antacids, indinavir (a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV infection), and topiramate (an anti-seizure medication) play a role in the prevalence of urolithiasis.

People are more likely to develop kidney stones if they suffer from chronic inflammation of the bowel, cystic kidney diseases, digestive problems or a history of gastrointestinal tract surgery, gout (a disease that causes painful swelling of the joints), hypercalciuria (a hereditary disorder in which urine contains unusually large amounts of calcium), hyperoxaluria (condition in which urine contains large amounts of oxalate), hyperparathyroidism (a disorder in which the parathyroid glands release too much parathyroid hormone, causing extra calcium in the blood), hyperuricosuria (a disorder in which there is too much uric acid in the urine), obesity, recurrent UTIs, cystinuria, and renal tubular acidosis (a disorder that occurs when the kidneys fail to move acids into the urine)

Calcium oxalate stones are the most common kidney stone subtype. They occur when levels of citrate are low, and levels of calcium/oxalate/uric acid are high. These kinds of stones are linked with consumption of foods high in oxalate present naturally in plants and animals. Frequent recurrence may require further evaluation of urinary function and metabolism. Calcium phosphate stones are caused when there is an abnormality in the functioning of the urinary system. These can be caused when there are some other urinary or kidney problems and can also occur with calcium oxalate stones. Struvite stones form as a result of urinary tract infections and are more common in women. They grow fast and can occupy the entire kidney. They can cause frequent, severe UTIs and even loss of kidney functions if left untreated. Uric acid stones are linked with high consumption of animal protein and not drinking enough water. They are more common in men and are more likely to occur in people who have gout, had chemotherapy, or have a family history of this stone. Cystine stones form as a result of cystinuria, a hereditary genetic disorder. The disorder causes accumulation of cystine amino acid in the urine, which can further lead to stone formation in kidney, bladder, and ureters.

To avoid kidney stone formation, it is recommended that water intake should be 3-4 litres/day. Dietary regulation is also recommended with strict restrictions on oxalate rich food and beverages such as tea, coffee and certain fruit juices. The treatment options currently available for kidney stone patients are limited. Usually, painkillers and diuretics are offered to the patients so that the stone can be passed out of the body naturally. Some kidney stones might be larger and may require removal via medical procedures. A few Ayurvedic medications are also available in the market that can help to clear out existing stones and prevent future stone formations. Warstone by Stalwart Lifesciences is one such product that is highly trusted by clinicians and patients alike.

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