Renal stones/ Kidney stones

What are Renal stones?

Renal stones, also known as kidney stones are solid masses of crystalline mineral material and acid salts that are formed in your kidneys but can be transported throughout the urinary tract comprising of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Kidney stones are generally found in people between ages 20 and 40 years. Kidney stones is a very painful medical condition that creates problems when these stones block urine from leaving the body resulting in kidney infections or kidney damage.

There are mainly four types of kidney stones: Calcium, Uric Acid, Struvite and Cystine.

What are the causes of Renal stones?

Renal stones are formed when your urine has excess of stone-forming substances like calcium, oxalate, uric acid and less of fluid in urine. These stones may also be formed if there is lack of substances in urine that prevent crystals from sticking together.

What are the symptoms of Renal stones?

Renal stones may not cause any problem until they move around within your kidneys or passes into your ureter. Various symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Severe pain on one side of back or abdomen
• Pain that radiates to groin area
• Severe pain that comes and goes
• Pain while urinating Pink, red or brown urine
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea & vomiting
• Persistent need to urinate
• Increased frequency of urination
• Fever and chills
• Small urine output

How can Renal stones be treated?

The treatment for kidney stones depend on the type of stones you have.

If you have small stones, your doctor may recommend drinking water, taking pain relievers and medical therapy.

For large stones, your doctor may recommend certain procedures like:

• Using sound waves to break up stones
• Surgery to remove very large stones
• Using a scope to remove stones
• Parathyroid gland surgery