Kidney/Ureteral Stone

Home Ureter/Kidney Stone
kidney stone

Kidneys are one of our most important organs that help us maintain our lives. It helps us eliminate waste products from our body through urine. The kidneys, located on both sides of the waist area under the ribs, are responsible for cleaning the blood. During this process, some minerals and salts accumulate in the kidneys. If these salts and minerals cannot be excreted through urine, they accumulate and stick in the area. kidney stone occurs.

The ureter is the thin channel between the kidney and bladder. Ureteral stone is an important health problem that will cause obstruction of the urinary tract. Kidney stone When it passes into the ureter to come out with urine, it is called a ureteral stone. These stones sometimes get stuck in the ureter and cause an obstruction. If it is not excreted, it may cause problems such as urinary tract infection.

Large ureteral stones block the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder, causing the kidney to enlarge. When this enlargement is prolonged, it can lead to kidney failure. Another may be infection due to urinary tract obstruction, which may cause inflammation that we call pyelonephritis. 

Ureter/Kidney Stone Symptom

Kidney stone symptoms It may not be visible at first. However, sudden onset of back and abdominal pain is one of the biggest symptoms of kidney stones. When stones pass into the urinary tract, in some cases they can be passed out of the body with little or no symptoms. However, the presence of larger stones can cause urine to accumulate in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Meanwhile, kidney stones have painful symptoms, as we mentioned above.
In the future, if ureter/kidney stones block the urinary tract, more serious symptoms may occur. Except this kidney stone The most common symptoms in people with diabetes can be listed as follows:
  • Hematuria (blood in the urine)
  • to vomit
  • Burning, painful sensation while urinating
  • Nausea
  • Pain in the lower abdomen
  • Pain in the lower back area of the ribs
  • Change in the color, texture and density of urine (cloudy, foul-smelling urine)
In case of infection, these symptoms may be accompanied by fever and chills. Ureter/kidney stones They are usually excreted through urine without causing any harm to the body. However, stones that recur and cannot be excreted through urine need to be treated.

Causes of Kidney Stone Formation

There are many different waste products in urine. If these wastes are concentrated in a small amount of liquid, the wastes gradually crystallize and kidney stone may cause formation. Most of the time, these wastes are excreted through urine without forming stones. However, in the presence of risk factors and insufficient fluid intake, the formation of kidney stones accelerates and the stones may reach a size that cannot pass the urinary tract or even block the urinary tract. The chemicals that form these stones are calcium, oxalate, urea, cystine, xanthine and phosphate.

Many factors such as diet, metabolic diseases, inadequate fluid intake or loss, and some medications can cause kidney stones. Besides these factors kidney stone Among the factors that cause its formation;

  • Stone disease in the family
  • High protein diets last too long
  • not drinking enough water
  • Obesity
  • Other kidney diseases or kidney abnormalities
  • Intestinal surgeries
  • Stomach surgery to lose weight
  • Eating too much salt and sugar
  • Heavy use of laxatives
  • Some migraine and depression medications
  • metabolic syndromes
  • Some supplements (vitamin D, calcium, etc.)
  • Gout
  • insufficient physical activity
  • Factors such as urinary tract infection are also included.

kidney stone

Kidney Stone Types

Kidney stones are divided into four according to their content and formation. Stones can be the size of a grain of sand or the size of a pebble.

Calcium Oxalate Stones:Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stones. It is formed by the combination of calcium and oxalate in the urine. During the formation of these stones, other risk factors due to insufficient water intake and excessive calcium intake often accompany these causes.

Cystine Stones: Cystine stones, caused by a hereditary disease, are the rarest type of kidney stones. These stones can form before the age of 25 and are a frequently recurring disorder. Therefore, it may cause deterioration in kidney functions and kidney failure.

Uric Acid Stones: Factors such as long-term high-protein diet, gout, and insufficient fluid consumption increase the amount of uric acid and cause the formation of uric acid stones. Organ meats and shellfish can also cause high amounts of uric acid in the urine. Uric acid stones can also be hereditary. kidney stone is the type.

Struvite Stones: These stones, also known as infection stones, form as a result of recurrent urinary tract infections. It is generally seen more in women.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Kidney Stones?

Increasing your fluid intake, especially water intake, is one of the things you should do to prevent kidney stones. Under normal conditions, urine should be light yellow. Water intake should be increased instead of tea, coffee, fruit juices and acidic drinks. Because some of these drinks may cause dehydration or other problems due to the sugar they contain. It should not be forgotten that people who work in hot environments, do sports, do outdoor activities and do heavy physical work should drink plenty of water.

It is also important to eat more vegetables and fruits. Vegetables and fruits can reduce the amount of acid in urine. For this reason, vegetables should be consumed together with animal foods that can increase the uric acid level.

Reducing salt and sugar is another method that can be used to prevent kidney stones. In addition, since the salt and sugar content in packaged foods cannot be controlled, high-risk groups are recommended to consume less packaged foods.

Obesity kidney stone Since it is also a risk factor for the formation of kidney stones, weight loss is recommended to reduce or prevent kidney stones. However, caution should be exercised before attempting methods such as bariatric surgery or a high-protein diet for rapid weight loss.

Blood and urine tests may also be done to prevent kidney stones from forming. Because many blood and urine tests can provide insight into which foods need to be replaced, these tests can help determine an appropriate eating plan for someone at risk.

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

It is important to have a detailed examination by a urologist in diagnosing kidney stones. In most cases kidney stone Its symptoms may be sufficient for a urologist. However, various tests can be performed to completely clarify the diagnosis of kidney stones.
  • Blood test: A blood test may be done to check whether the kidneys are working properly. The blood levels of substances such as uric acid and calcium, which may be especially effective in kidney stone formation, are also examined.
  • Urine test: A urine test can detect the presence of blood and infection in the urine. Urine testing can provide important details to identify conditions that may accompany kidney stones and clarify the diagnosis. Additionally, a 1-day urine collection test may be applied. The urine collection test detects substances in the urine that may cause or prevent stone formation.
  • Display methods: Kidney stones can be diagnosed with imaging methods. Different methods can be used along with imaging methods in the diagnosis of kidney stones.
  • Computed tomography: It can determine the location and size of kidney or urinary tract stones, including small ones. Computed tomography can also determine whether there are different diseases in the kidneys and surrounding organs.
  • Ultrasound: Information about kidney stones can be obtained through ultrasound using high-frequency sound waves. Fast and reliable results are obtained. Very small stones and those entering the urinary tract can sometimes be missed on ultrasound. However, ultrasonography is preferred in pregnant women to avoid exposure to radiation.
  • Intravenous urogram (IVU) or intravenous pyelogram (IVP): It is based on the principle of monitoring the filtration process of the kidneys with x-ray after intravenous contrast material is administered. However, it is not a preferred method in recent years. Today, this imaging has been replaced by CT urography.
  • Kidney stone analysis: A stone that has previously been passed through the urinary tract can be brought to the urologist and the substances in which the stone is formed can be examined. Stones can be collected by urinating on gauze, socks or a strainer. By examining the stone in the laboratory, the doctor is given an idea about applying a treatment that will prevent stone formation.

kidney stone

Treatment Methods

If ureteral stones under 5 mm do not cause serious pain or signs of obstruction, drug treatment is given and it is expected to pass within 3 weeks. Theoretically, while 6 mm and smaller stones fall out, 8 mm stones do not. The probability of a 7mm stone falling is % 50. If it does not pass, ESWL, that is, stone breaking with external sound waves, or ureteroscopic stone breaking is performed. If the ESWL procedure fails, or if the stone reaches the middle and lower part of the ureter, URS is performed. Generally, URS or laparoscopic treatments are preferred for stones larger than 1 cm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ureter/Kidney Stones

1-Do Kidney Stones Damage the Kidneys?
Kidney stones can damage the kidneys, especially if left untreated for a long time. Kidney stones can cause serious infection if they recur, have occlusive properties, and can even lead to kidney failure if treated late.

2-Does Kidney Stone Breaking Operation Damage the Kidneys?
Kidney damage that may occur during ESWL is minimal and reversible. So it doesn't leave any permanent damage.

3-Do Ureter/Kidney Stones Pass on Their Own?
Stones smaller than 6 mm may pass spontaneously. In such cases, more water and movement will allow you to drop the stone more easily. In women, who are more likely to pass stones than men, an evaluation is made to see whether the stones will pass on their own before deciding on surgery. Kidney stones are more likely to form spontaneously if you have a history of stones.

4-What Happens If Kidney Stone Is Not Treated?
If diagnosed but left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract and even kidney failure and varying degrees of infection, depending on the size, location, and obstruction of the stone.

5-What to Do to Pass Ureter/Kidney Stones?
Drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water a day, reduce tea and coffee, do not drink acidic drinks, move a lot and exercise are useful methods to prevent the formation of new stones.

6-Does a stone falling into the bladder cause pain?
Bladder stones may not show symptoms in all patients, but common symptoms in patients can be listed as follows: Burning and painful urination. Light or dark blood in the urine. Difficulty urinating. Intermittent inability to urinate.

7-How Long Does It Take to Break Kidney Stones with Sound Wave?
The process of breaking a kidney stone can take approximately 30-40 minutes. There is no need for anesthesia for the patient for the procedure.
telefon iletisimi
whatsapp communication