What are Kidney Stones? Causes & Treatment

What are Kidney Stones? Causes & Treatment Kidney stones are lumpy salt, calcium, or other mineral deposits that occur inside the kidneys. Kidney stones can form as a result of certain diets being overweight, having certain medical problems, and using certain vitamins and medications.

When urine becomes concentrated and bind together resulting in stones, it can be rather uncomfortable to pass these stones. To pass a kidney stone, you normally simply need pain medicine and plenty of water.

Kidney Stones and Their Causes Several factors could be to blame, including: • • • • • •

Dehydration Diet Obesity Type 2Diabetes Calcium excretion in the urine is increased due to a congenital renal impairment.

Urine with high amounts of particular substances

You may have back pain, pain when peeing, an urgent desire to urinate, or even blood in your urine if you have kidney stones. If you have a kidney stone that becomes infected, you may get a fever and chills. It’s vital to know that kidney stones can strike at any time. If you think you might have kidney stones, see your doctor for a formal diagnosis.

What is the technique for removing kidney stones?

Kidney stone passage can be compared to childbirth in terms of agony. If you’d prefer not to go through all of that, the good news is that kidney stone removal cost Singapore. If you have an Integrated Shield Plan with a complete rider that covers private hospitals, you won’t have to pay anything if you choose treatment.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequent method of removing kidney stones nowadays, especially for tiny stones. Sound waves are used to break up kidney stones into smaller fragments, making them easier to pass naturally through the urinary tract.

You’ll be given painkillers or a general anesthetic to help you rest before the treatment and to reduce any discomfort you may experience during it.

What are the advantages of using ESWL? ESWL is a low-risk technique that eliminates kidney stones completely in the majority of cases. It’s also non-invasive, so there’s no need for surgery, and you’ll recuperate much faster than you would otherwise. Because it’s a day operation, you should be able to get in and out of the hospital quickly, with a recovery time of about 2 hours. For a few days after treatment, you may find traces of blood in your urine, but you will most likely be able to resume normal activities. Infection and internal bleeding are possible side effects after kidney stone removal; however they are quite rare.

Possible Treatments of kidney stones If a kidney stone is causing you problems, a ureteroscopy may be able to assist you remove it safely. Before utilizing a laser or other specific equipment to release the stone and split it up into smaller pieces, your doctor will put a thin tube through your urethra and into your urinary system. You won’t experience any discomfort because you’ll be unconscious during the process. A minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure, in which a specific instrument is put into your kidney through a small incision (0.5cm in diameter) in your back, or open surgery, are two other choices.

Kidney stone treatment for small stones If your kidney stones are little, you might be able to pass them without the need for surgery. The following suggestions will assist you in passing kidney stones: •

Water to drink

Drinking 1.8–3.6 liters of water each day will maintain your urine dilute and avoid the formation of stones.

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Anti-inflammatories

When passing a little stone, pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium may be helpful in relieving minor pain.

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Medical treatment

Medication may be required in some circumstances to aid with the passage of kidney stones. These drugs are known as alpha blockers, and they operate by relaxing the muscles in the urinary system, allowing you to pass the stone faster

and with less pain. Tamsulosin and the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin are examples of alpha blockers.

How may kidney stones be avoided?

To lower your chances of acquiring kidney stones, you can adopt a few lifestyle adjustments. These are some of them: • • • •

Throughout the day, drink plenty of water. Urine that is light and clear is a positive indicator that you are drinking enough.

Rhubarb, beets, ladies’ fingers, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, almonds, tea, chocolate, black pepper, and soy products are high in oxalate.

Reduce your consumption of salt and animal protein.

Calcium-rich foods should be consumed, but calcium supplements should be used with caution. Before taking them, consult your doctor because they have been related to an increased risk of kidney stones.

For those who have specific types of kidney stones, some drugs may be beneficial. Depending on the sort of kidney stone you have, your doctor will prescribe the proper treatment. Based on criteria such as the size, position, and hardness of the stones, your doctor will recommend the best treatment option for you.

In Singapore, where can I find a urology specialist?

This is something that a urology specialist Singapore may help you with. A visit to a doctor should be made, and questions about the entire kidney stones surgery procedure should be asked. In any case, a kidney specialist will have the appropriate equipment and skills to analyses your situation.