People’s lifestyles today are full of rush and stress, which can partly damage their own health. For example, “drinking too little water” or neglecting to drink water frequently, which many people consider not a big deal. In reality, drinking too little water is one of the causes of kidney stones, which if severe, requires painful surgical treatment. Therefore, getting to know about kidney stones is a good way to help us take better care of ourselves and reduce the risk more effectively.
What are kidney stones and what causes them?
“Stones” are solid masses formed from the sedimentation of various minerals that clump together into lumps of different types and sizes. They can occur in multiple lumps and in various parts of the body, such as the gallbladder, bile ducts, bladder, or kidneys. The name of the abnormal condition changes according to the location of the stones. Therefore, kidney stones refer to solid lumps formed in the kidney area. Factors causing stones include:
- It may be caused by congenital abnormalities in the shape of the kidney, resulting in parts that form sacs, cysts, or blockages in the urinary tract, causing urine to flow poorly and remain stagnant, which is a cause that may be incurable or require surgical correction.
- It results from sedimentation, an imbalance of substances that cause stones, including calcium and oxalate, and substances that inhibit stone formation, such as citrate and magnesium. Factors that cause this imbalance include water concentration and urine volume; if too little, urine becomes concentrated, leading to stone formation. Stones start as small lumps that, if undetected, become the starting point for crystals to accumulate and grow larger.
What behaviors increase the risk of kidney stones?
Research has proven that “drinking too little water” is the main behavior that definitely leads to the cause of stone formation. Additionally, low citrate levels in the body also increase the chance of stone formation because citrate helps inhibit stone formation. Therefore, overall, to prevent kidney stones, managing diet is important to reduce the risk. People with a high BMI or significantly overweight tend to have a higher chance of developing kidney stones than those with normal weight. Also, people with acidic urine conditions caused by kidney disease or consuming high-purine foods are at higher risk of kidney stones because they are more prone to sedimentation.
What symptoms are warning signs of kidney stones?
Symptoms of kidney stones can be divided into 3 groups as follows:
- Symptoms from complications, including infections, pyelonephritis, nephritis, or kidney abscess, which cause high fever and pain in one side of the lower back where the affected kidney is located (left or right side).
- Symptoms caused by stones blocking urine flow, causing pain, urine retention, and obstruction, which may lead to infection, kidney dysfunction, and possibly kidney failure.
- Asymptomatic group, where no symptoms are shown but stones are found during routine health check-ups, which is good because early detection makes treatment easier.
A key point for pain indicating possible kidney stones is pain in the lower back and flank, not the front abdomen, because the kidneys are located on both sides of the lower back. However, it should not be mid-back pain but “flank pain” on one side. Mid-back pain is more likely muscle pain or back pain from work or exercise.
How are kidney stones treated?
Treatment of kidney stones depends mainly on the size and type of the stones. For example, small stones caused by uric acid can be treated by “dissolving” using medication that adjusts the pH level, causing the stones to gradually dissolve. If stones are composed of calcium, other treatments are used, such as puncturing to break the stones and suctioning them out, or using shock wave lithotripsy, which is a non-invasive method that breaks large stones into small sand-like particles that can be easily passed.
For very large stones, surgery is required. Doctors will evaluate the most appropriate treatment method by performing a CT scan to plan the treatment. After treatment, there is a 15-30% chance of recurrence. Post-treatment recommendations to reduce the risk of recurrent kidney stones include drinking plenty of water and closely monitoring symptoms with follow-up examinations to detect any new stones for further treatment.
Kidney stones are a very common condition because they can occur in anyone who drinks too little water and eats an inappropriate diet. Therefore, the easiest way to prevent and take care of yourself is to drink plenty of water and choose a proper diet. Doctors do not prohibit any specific foods but recommend eating in moderate amounts and drinking plenty of water. Additionally, regular annual health check-ups are advised because basic urine tests in health screening programs are sufficient to detect abnormalities that may increase the risk of kidney stones, allowing early detection and easier treatment without surgery.
