Nephrolithiasis - what is it and what are the methods of treatment?

Many people are familiar with the situation when a doctor discovers kidney stones. Yet this disease is called nephrolithiasis. What it is? This is the name of the process of formation in the kidneys of various crystal-like structures. They are different in chemical composition, location, the sizes range from a few millimeters to more than 10 centimeters in diameter.

Nephrolithiasis. What is it and what are the causes of it?

Stone-like structures can appear in the kidneys, renal pelvis, urinary tract. This process is characterized by the fact that substances that normally should be discharged outside are retained in the body and crystallized. It is noticed that men have kidney nephrolithiasis much more often than women. The formation of stones affects the nature of human nutrition. The more he consumes fats, animal proteins, foods with a high acid content, the higher the risk of nephrolithiasis. Also, the cause of the disease may be a low level of excreted urine (increased sweating, a small amount of fluid consumed). Frequent infections of the genitourinary system, metabolic disorders - these are the factors that contribute to the onset of the disease. A low-level lifestyle, large weight loss can also affect the formation of stones.

Symptoms

Sometimes the disease occurs without significant symptoms. However, in most cases, you can observe signs of nephrolithiasis, such as low back pain and kidney colic. All this can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The stool and intestinal gases do not depart, the amount of urine noticeably decreases. Nephrolithiasis also has symptoms: one in three patients notes the presence of blood in the urine. This is due to damage to the mucosa during the course of the stone. The body temperature is within 37.5 ° C. The disease is also dangerous due to its complications. If untimely treatment, inflammatory processes in the kidneys, stagnation of the urine, bleeding are possible. Also, the development of renal failure is not ruled out.

Types of stones

Most often in the kidneys are formed oxalate stones. They are the hardest formations, can arise because of excessive intake of vitamin C, with problems with metabolic processes. Appearance is diverse: small, large, smooth, warty. Dimensions sometimes reach a few centimeters. Excess uric acid in the body, violation of purine metabolism - this is the reason that urate nephrolithiasis is diagnosed. About 5% of all kidney stones have a phosphate base. Even less often are cystine or xanthine stones. Nephrolithiasis of the kidney can also have an infectious nature. Such a diagnosis is more often given to women than to men.

Diagnosis of the disease

If the patient observes signs of urolithiasis, then the visit to the doctor should not be postponed. Nephrolithiasis is fairly easily diagnosed. First of all, urine analysis is prescribed. As a rule, even in the early stages of the disease there is an increase in the number of leukocytes, the ESR is also higher than normal. Neoplasms in the kidneys are clearly visible on ultrasound diagnosis, radiographic images. However, it is worth noting that urates do not appear when using X-rays. In most cases, stones have a heterogeneous composition. Usually, salts of a certain type predominate, while others are in the form of impurities. That's why almost all the concrements are radiopaque. To clarify the diagnosis, you may need a CT scan, excretory urography. These methods allow you to see all the functional changes in the organs and choose the most appropriate treatment tactics.

Coronal nephrolithiasis. What it is

A special form of urolithiasis is the formation of coral stones. It is established that due to the peculiarities of the female body, the beautiful sex suffers such a disease much more often. Experts note a number of factors that can lead to the emergence of this type of stones. These include kidney disease (both congenital and acquired), a hot climate, unbalanced nutrition, poor ecology. The possibility of developing nephrolithiasis during pregnancy is not ruled out. The cause of this can be hormonal changes. Also, the hereditary factor also plays a role. Some doctors associate this disease with thyroid problems. Symptoms are as follows: pain in the lower back, kidneys, stool, nausea, the appearance of blood in the urine. Also, most patients note increased thirst.

Methods of treatment

Small stones leave the body on their own and do not require intervention. The doctor appoints a set of measures aimed at alleviating the patient's condition. It is recommended to increase the amount of water that a person drinks during the day. Also shown are light physical exertion. Appointed and certain medications that relieve swelling, pain syndromes. Practice is also the way of dissolution of the stone if urate nephrolithiasis is diagnosed. What is it, and how does this process happen? Litholytic therapy is prescribed if the stone is still in the kidney. The specialist selects drugs that dissolve the formation. However, it is forbidden to choose a medicine on your own. After destroying one type of stones, the drug has no effect on others and can even increase their growth. Therefore nephrolithiasis, treatment of it requires the advice of a competent specialist.

Crushing of kidney stones

If the stone is large, a crushing technique is used. This process occurs using ultrasound or a laser. The latter is the most effective, as it allows you to break any stones. The crushing can take place remotely, and a shockwave of the necessary power is generated. Also, contact grinding is practiced. A small puncture is simultaneously injected with a special liquid, thanks to which the crushed stone is immediately washed away. The whole procedure takes about one hour.

Surgery for nephrolithiasis

One way to remove kidney stones is endoscopic. During the intervention, a special instrument is inserted through the urethra or into the incision on the side (depending on the location of the formation). The stone is crushed, then removed with a loop. Operations that require a large incision of the abdomen are less frequent. Most experts choose sparing methods of getting rid of crystalline formations.

Methods of prevention

To prevent the development of urolithiasis, it is necessary to comply with a number of rules. It is very important to comply with a competent drinking regime. The amount of liquid a person consumes must be at least 1.5 liters. In addition, special attention should be given to its quality. If your house has hard water, then you can not do without quality filters. Do not abuse and mineral waters, as they can provoke the disease. Proper nutrition is also able to protect against nephrolithiasis. If urate is found, it is necessary to limit the amount of meat, by-products. It is necessary to abandon the use of smoked products. Oxalate stones impose their limitations. Food that contains oxalic acid is prohibited. Sorrel, spinach, beans, citrus fruits, strawberries - this is an incomplete list of foods that can aggravate the situation. Phosphoric-carbonate formations require the exclusion of products containing large amounts of calcium.

Basic principles of the diet with urolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis (bilateral or unilateral) makes its own adjustments to the patient's menu. In addition to eating and drinking, there are other things that you should pay attention to. Specialists recommend limiting the use of table salt. Also it is necessary to minimize alcoholic beverages, especially of questionable quality. Especially careful to treat vitamin C, because it is its excess can provoke nephrolithiasis of the kidneys. Treatment of many colds is accompanied by a plentiful intake of foods rich in this vitamin. Therefore, people prone to the formation of stones should not exceed the daily rate (1 gram). In the season of watermelons you can enjoy this berries. It cleanses the kidneys well, promotes excretion of sand and small stones. It is recommended to exclude canned vegetables, juices. It is better to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and also to prepare fresh.