Kidney stone disease is a prevalent medical condition that occurs worldwide. It is estimated that the number of patients with kidney stones in their urinary tract is continuously increasing globally. In India, 12% of the overall population suffers from kidney stone disease, and 50% of them develop subsequent renal damage. Certain areas with the most cases in India include Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, and Bihar.

Causes of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones can develop due to several factors rather than a specific cause that doctors can pinpoint. Kidney stones occur when there is a favorable environment for growth within the kidney. This “right” environment means that crystal-forming substances, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid, are present in the kidneys. When your kidneys cannot dilute these substances, stones are likely to form. Other contributing factors include the characteristics of your urine, such as the inability to prevent the crystals from forming, which could lead to kidney stones.

Drink Sufficient Water

Kidney stones can be caused by low urine output. Thus, if you do not make it a regular habit to replace the fluids your body loses during the day, you are more likely to develop stones. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, most people get 80% of their water intake from drinking, and the remaining 20% from food. Men should try to consume 125 ounces of water a day (15-16 glasses), and women should aim for 91 ounces (11-12 glasses), much more than the typical 8 glasses most of us think we need. Increasing your water intake to these new and higher levels can be done by always having a glass or bottle by your side, consuming a couple of glasses when you first wake up, at your meals, and sporadically throughout the day. While it may take time to adjust, your body will eventually adapt.

Your Diet

While most people believe that calcium is the main culprit behind kidney stone development, research suggests that “restricting dietary calcium may increase kidney stone risk.” High calcium levels in your urine do not necessarily come from eating too many calcium-rich foods. Instead, they come from the way your body handles this mineral. Salt is the dietary substance that can have one of the most significant impacts on kidney stone development. If you take in too much salt, your body has a harder time absorbing calcium from your urine into your blood, leading to stone formation. Thus, lowering your salt intake can decrease your risk of kidney stones. Eating less of oxalate-rich foods like spinach, bran flakes, rhubarb, beets, beans, nuts, and nut butters, berries, coffee, and soda may also help.

Cranberries, though high in oxalate, are found to decrease oxalate excretion while increasing the amount of citrate your body releases, creating a therapeutic effect. Indian diets generally consist of high amounts of sodium (salt), protein, calcium, and oxalate-rich foods. Calcium constitutes 80-90% of the urinary stone content, and people with high calcium consumption are at higher risk. An increase in sugar consumption can also lead to the development of kidney stones.

Your Bathroom Habits

Conditions like chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease can change the natural digestive process. Prior surgeries like gastric bypass surgery enhance the water and calcium absorption ratio in people, increasing the risk of stones. Keeping these types of conditions under control can help reduce your bouts with diarrhea, thus reducing your chances of stones. Likewise, try to avoid any type of food substance that typically sends you to the bathroom while also replacing your fluids as much as you can when you’re sick and prone to more bowel issues.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is a known risk factor for heart disease and diabetes, but it can also increase your risk of kidney stones. Researchers have found that obese individuals often have higher amounts of uric acid and sodium and a lower pH in their blood, leading to a greater incidence of uric acid stones. Losing excess weight can help reduce your risk.

Medications

Some medications can increase your risk of developing kidney stones, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about any potential side effects. Certain supplements, vitamin-C supplements, calcium-based antacids, excessive laxative usage, and medications for depression and migraines can all contribute to kidney stone formation. Your doctor may be able to recommend alternative medications or suggest ways to reduce your risk.

Family History

Having a family history of kidney stones can increase your risk, but it’s not a guarantee that you will develop them. Take care of the other risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices to help reduce your risk.

Digestive Disorders and Surgery

Certain disorders of the digestive system can affect calcium, electrolyte, and water absorption, which may increase your risk of forming kidney stones. Common disorders include gastric bypass surgery and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions can lead to an imbalance in the body’s chemistry, which can increase the likelihood of kidney stone formation.

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic conditions that affect the body’s chemical processes may also increase the risk of kidney stone formation. These conditions include renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, and hyperparathyroidism. In these cases, the body may produce an excess of certain chemicals that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Urinary Tract Infections

Chronic urinary tract infections can also increase the risk of kidney stone formation. These infections can cause inflammation and damage to the urinary tract, leading to the formation of larger stones in the kidney. These are commonly called struvite or infection stones.

Anatomical Abnormalities

Certain anatomical abnormalities can also increase the risk of kidney stone formation. These include obstruction of the kidney or ureter, calyceal diverticulum, horseshoe kidney, ureterocele, vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral stricture, and medullary sponge kidney. These conditions can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract infections, which in turn can contribute to the formation of kidney stones.

Other Risk Factors

In addition to the above conditions, there are several other risk factors for kidney stone formation. These include:

• Gender: Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women.
• Race: Non-Hispanic white people are more likely to develop kidney stones than other races.
• Previous History: People who have had kidney stones in the past are more likely to develop them again.
• Family History: People with a family history of kidney stones are more likely to develop them.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids can lead to an increased risk of kidney stone formation.
• Diet: Eating a diet that is high in protein, salt (sodium), and/or sugar can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
• Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop kidney stones.
• Gout: People with gout are more likely to develop kidney stones.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: People with polycystic kidney disease are more likely to develop kidney stones.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as calcium-based antacids or diuretics (water pills), can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
• Reproductive Age: Women of reproductive age who have had one or more pregnancies are more likely to develop kidney stones.
• Oxalates: Eating a diet that is high in red meat or high in oxalates can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
• Urine Chemical Imbalance: Having a condition that causes high levels of cystine, uric acid, calcium, or oxalate in your urine can increase the risk of kidney stone formation.

Kidney stone treatment

Kidney stone treatment is a process that aims to break up and remove kidney stones that have formed in the urinary tract. Kidney stones are hard deposits that can develop in the kidneys when waste products and minerals in the urine form crystals that stick together.

Kidney stones can be treated depending on their size and location. Small kidney stones may pass out of the body without requiring any treatment. However, larger kidney stones may need to be destroyed or removed using an endoscope. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can help relieve pain if the kidney stone is causing pain as it travels through the ureter. If the stone is not passed within four weeks, causes complications, or is larger than 10 millimeters in diameter, it will usually have to be broken up or surgically removed. Alpha blockers can make it easier for stones to pass out of the body, especially for stones that are about 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter.

Uric acid stones can sometimes be dissolved with medication such as alkaline citrate salts, sodium bicarbonate, and allopurinol. If the stones don’t pass out of the body on their own, they can be broken up with ultrasound shock waves or removed in a surgical procedure such as ureterorenoscopy (URS) or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL or PNL), depending on the size and location of the stones.

Kidney stones can cause severe pain and discomfort and can even lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. Our centre offers a range of effective treatment methods to help you find relief from your symptoms and prevent further complications.

Our experienced healthcare professionals specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones. We use state-of-the-art technology and the latest medical techniques to provide our patients with the best possible care.

We offer a variety of treatment methods, including:

1. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This treatment uses shock waves to break up kidney stones into small pieces that can be passed through the urine. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not require surgery.
2. Ureteroscopy: This treatment uses a small scope to look inside the ureter and kidney to remove the stone. This is typically an outpatient procedure and does require anesthesia.
3. Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): This treatment involves making a small incision in the back and inserting a scope to remove the stone. This is typically an inpatient procedure that requires anesthesia.
4. Medical management – In some cases, medication can be used to help break up or dissolve the stone, or to manage pain and discomfort during the passing of the stone.

Our team of experts will work with you to determine the best treatment option for your specific needs. We will also provide you with personalized care and support throughout your treatment journey.

Don’t let kidney stones control your life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists and take the first step towards finding relief from your symptoms.

FAQs

If you have further questions about kidney stones or their treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is here to help you find the answers you need.