SHARADA UROLOGY CENTRE
Dr IYER'S UROVISION SERIES - 3
WELCOME TO MY STONE PAGE
URINARY STONES
Just
like Common Salt gets concentrated from the Sea water, Concentrated Urine(due
to poor fluid intake and therefore poor urine production) in the kidneys,
causes crystallization of some ingredients, which then aggregate to form
stones; most of the stones are formed in the Kidney initially; urinary bladder
stones are formed in bladders which do not empty completely. In some persons
with an in built biochemical abnormality or developmental defect in the
kidneys, stones form irrespective of concentration.
Any relation fo Gall Stones / Stones in the food we eat?
None
whatsoever; Gall stones are totally unrelated to the Urinary tract; stones in
the food are either digested or passed out unchanged in our stools.
How common are they?
12 out
of every 100 persons are affected by urinary Stones one way or another; almost
40 percent of all Urological problems are due to stones.
Therefore, proper investigation
and treatment is a MUST.
What are the symptoms?
Pain, either in the loins(back), in the side of
the stomach, lower abdominal, or in the Urinary bladder/urinary passage -
depending on the location of the stone. Some silent stones may not cause any
pain, especially when it is not causing any blockage.
Vomiting-
common when pain becomes severe
Fever- Indicates infection-
a serious complication requiring emergency attention
Blood in the urine-indicates trauma to the kidney and the
urinary passages by the stone
When do I consult my Doctor?
Any symptoms worse than a mild pain may indicate some complication; any
recurring problem should not be self treated. Previous history of stones is a
strong indication for prompt medical attention.
What tests will be required? Your doctor will examine you and advise
some pain killers; you also will be asked to undergo a urine & blood tests
and an ultrasound scan and may be a kidney - X-Ray too. After seeing the
results, you will be advised regarding the need for specialist attention or
hospital admission.
PAIN DUE TO URINARY
STONE USUALLY STRIKES AT MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - DO NOT ALWAYS WAIT TILL THE
MORNING - IT MAY BE AN EMERGENCY.
Pain Control: Tablets, injections, may require
admission to hospital, if uncontrollable or vomiting
A. Non Operative Antispasmodics (to relieve the colicky pain and spasm of the
tubes), fluid therapy in the first instance if there is no serious obstruction
seen on the scan.
B.Operative:
Stones in the Kidney are treated by LITHOTRIPSY (Breaking
by Sound /Shock Waves) or by Percutaneous (Telescope through a puncture made in
the Kidney from the side)method. In some cases, open surgery may be required.
Stones in the Bladder: Endoscopic Crushing under anesthesia(URETEROSCOPY);
some times open surgery may be required if stones are large.
Stones in the Ureter(the tube joining the kidney and the
Bladder) may be treated by either of the above three methods depending on the
sizeof the stone, shape and level of the stone and, most importantly the
Urgency of the situation; some times only an intenal tube may be
inserted(STENTING) to immediately relieve the urinary obstruction, to save the
Kidney function.
Recurrent Stone Formers:
These are patients in whom there
is an underlying biochemical abnormality or a developmental anomaly in the
kidneys (or infrequently, a residual stone left behind from an earlier
treatment). More thorough investigations are required: 24 hour urine
collection,
Fasting blood tests and stone
analysis if available are very helpful in zeroing in on the problem. Treatment
and prevention is accordingly planned.
Diet & Fluid management:
3 liter fluid inteake in an aveage
adult ensures adequate dilution of Urine and any stone forming elements in the
Urine. May need to be increased in warm climates.
Diet Almost complete Avoidance of: Red Meat, Dry Nuts,
(Straw)berries.
Restriction on consumption of :
Tomatoes, Spinach,Cabbage,Cauliflower, Tea, Chocolates, Dairy Products- Cheese,
Butter, milk etc. Many stones will pass spontaneously but not all; sensibility
is requiered in seeking medical attention and proper treatment; delaying will
not solve the problem; note that it is your
KIDNEYS, WHICH ARE
AT RISK
If
you need more information, Return to my home page
E
mail me at drmaniiyer@vsnl.com
Compiled in the Interest of patient
awareness and welfare By
Dr.S.K.MANI IYER, MS,
D.Urol(Lon), F.R..C.S.Ed.
Consultant
Urological Surgeon
SHARADA
UROLOGY CENTRE,(NOT SHRADDHA NURSING HOME!!!)
80 FT RD, KORAMANGALA BANGALORE
INDIA 560095
TEL: 009180 5715107; Cell 98450 34456
