Kidney stones are hard, crystalline mineral deposits that form inside the kidneys. They are a common urinary tract problem that affects many people worldwide. In this blog post, we will discuss the main causes of kidney stones, common kidney stone symptoms, and various treatment options available including kidney stone treatment in Bangalore.

Causes of Kidney Stones

There are multiple factors that can lead to the formation of kidney stones in the body:

Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids is a major cause of kidney stones. When the urine is more concentrated, it is easier for minerals to crystallize and form stones.

Diet: Certain foods and nutrients are linked to an increased risk of kidney stones, including high sodium, high oxalate foods like spinach, rhubarb; high protein foods like meat.

Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to developing kidney stones due to family history or subtle biochemical issues.

Medical conditions: Diseases affecting the digestive system like inflammatory bowel disease can increase the risk of kidney stones.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

The sudden onset of intense pain is the hallmark symptom of kidney stones. Some of the common kidney stone symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the back, groin, or side – The pain often starts from the flank and back region and radiates to the groin.
• Pain during urination – Passing urine causes burning pain or pain at the tip of the penis.
• Blood in the urine – Small kidney stones may pass out in the urine causing it to appear reddish-brown.
• Nausea and vomiting – Pain from kidney stones is often severe enough to induce nausea and vomiting.
• Fever – In some cases, an infection may develop within the kidney causing high-grade fever.
• Restlessness – Patients usually shift positions frequently in bed due to the unbearable pain.

The pain and other kidney stone symptoms usually last for a few hours and come in waves as the stone passes down the ureter. Self-care measures like drinking analgesics may temporarily relieve pain. But immediate medical care is necessary.

Kidney Stone Treatment in Bangalore

Once kidney stones are diagnosed, treatment depends on the size, number, and location of stones. The goal is to remove or dissolve the stones to relieve blockage and pain. Treatment options available in Bangalore include:

1. Waiting and see approach: For small non-obstructive stones less than 5 mm, doctors may recommend conservative management with pain medications and increased fluid intake to allow the stone to pass spontaneously.
2. Shock wave lithotripsy: This non-invasive procedure uses shockwaves to break up larger kidney stones into smaller fragments that can pass in the urine. It is conducted as kidney stone treatment in Bangalore by experienced urologists.
3. Ureteroscopy: Using a thin, flexible scope (ureteroscope), the urologist can locate and remove or blast stones under direct vision. It is ideal for stones in the ureter and kidney pelvis. Kidney stone surgery in Bangalore is done by skilled laparoscopic surgeons.
4. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: Stones too large or complex are best treated with PCNL where a miniature camera is inserted directly into the kidney through a small incision to remove stones. Done as daycare procedure by urologist in Bangalore.

Conclusion – Kidney Stone Management at Amrutha Hospital

Once diagnosed with kidney stones, it’s important to seek prompt treatment from experienced specialists. Amrutha Hospital in Bangalore houses top Urologist in Bangalore with great expertise in managing all types of urinary stones. State-of-the-art lithotripter equipment and modern operation theaters allow conducting all kidney stone treatment modalities safely and effectively. Amrutha Hospital thus serves as a trusted destination for excellent kidney stone care and management in Bangalore.