Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They are common and may cause excruciating pain. As these stones move through or block the urinary tract, they can cause discomfort and pose serious health problems. In this article, we’ll discuss kidney stones, including how they form, the different ways to get rid of them, and the best ways to treat them.
We will pay special attention to how patients are treated in India, a country known for its advances in healthcare delivery.
Understanding Kidney Stones
Kidney stones comprise of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid that come from the urine. Some are as small as sand grains, while others can be as big as a golf ball. One important thing we’ll look into is kidney stone treatment in India, which refers to the wide range of advanced treatments for kidney stones available in the country for people suffering from this condition.
What causes Kidney Stones?
There are four main types of kidney stones and each one has different causes. There are calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones.
Each of these stones has a different origin.
Calcium Stones – Most calcium stones are made up of calcium oxalate and are the most common type. They form due to excess calcium in the urine, which can be an effect of your diet.
Uric acid stones form when the body breaks down proteins. People who eat excess meat or who have gout are more likely to get these stones.
People who have had urinary tract infections are more likely to get Struvite stones. Stones made of struvite can be large and block the urinary tract.
Cystine Stones: These are less common stones that form in people with cystinuria, a genetic condition in which the kidneys get rid of specific amino acids.
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Four Steps to Passing a Kidney Stone
Usually, there are four steps to passing kidney stones. In these stages, the stones form, move, get stuck, and are then ejected from the body.
Formation: The first step is for substances like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid to build up in the kidneys. Over time, these things turn into stones as they crystallize and harden.
After the stones are formed, they start to move through the urinary tract. Smaller stones may move through the body without causing any problems, but larger stones can cause intense pain as they move.
Obstruction: A stone can sometimes get stuck in the urinary tract and stop urine from flowing. If this blockage isn’t fixed quickly, it can cause a lot of pain and lead to serious problems.
Expulsion: The kidney stone leaves the body through urine in the last stage. At this stage, you may need medical help, especially if you have a bigger stone.
Treating Kidney Stones
Treatments for kidney stones have evolved in the last few years. “Kidney stone treatment in India” in contemporary times is a mix of non-invasive methods, medications, and minimally invasive surgeries.
Conservative treatment includes drinking more water, changing the diet, and taking painkillers, all of which can help smaller stones pass.
Medication: Some medicines can help break up kidney stones or make it easier for them to pass through the urinary tract.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: For larger stones or ones that are causing problems, minimally invasive procedures like Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), Ureteroscopy (URS), and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) may be used.
Summary
India is home to some of the world’s best medical centres for advanced and effective kidney stone treatment. With their cutting-edge technology and experienced doctors and nurses, these hospitals provide complete care for people with kidney stones, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. Kidney stones can have a big effect on a person’s quality of life. The four-step process of getting rid of these stones can be difficult and painful. But as kidney stone treatment in India gets better, this health problem is getting easier to deal with and less painful for the patient. The Indian healthcare system has many ways to treat kidney stones that are effective and focused on the patient, irrespective of their size.
