Impact of Kidney Stones and How RIRS Can Help

May 20, 2024

Kidney stones are solid stones that are formed by the self-present in the urine. These stones can sometimes block the way of urine resulting in infection, various kidney diseases, and sometimes kidney failure. These stones can vary in size. 

Sometimes Kidney stones can cause extreme pain in the back or side, hematuria (blood in the urine), nausea, and other symptoms that affect day-to-day life. The good news is, that this pain is temporary, and most of the time stone passes on its own without any complications. Make sure you drink plenty of water daily. 

However, the bad news is that sometimes it isn’t that simple. You may stop experiencing pain and incorrectly assume that a kidney stone has passed. You shouldn’t automatically assume that the stone is gone just because you’re no longer in pain. It may still be there, and you should always visit a doctor to be on the safe side. 

If a kidney stone is left untreated, you can end up with long-term kidney damage or even lose your entire kidney simply because you didn’t get checked out.

 

Types of Kidney Stones

There are four major types of kidney stones-

  1. Calcium- The most common stones are formed when calcium combines with other minerals like oxalate and phosphate, present in the body.
  2. Struvite- Struvite stones are often made by urinary tract infections (UTIs) and can be large as compared to calcium stones.  
  3. Uric Acid- Uric acid stones are often caused by eating very large amounts of protein foods and are often softer than other types of stones. Eating a lot of fish, shellfish, and meat especially organ meat may increase uric acid in urine.
  4. Cystine Stones- Cystine stones are a rare inherited condition that includes a mineral called cysteine present in urine and forms the stone.

Causes of Kidney Stones

 

 

A kidney stone can be formed through calcium, struvite, uric acid, or cystine when they are high in level. However, these stones can also be formed when these minerals are normal in level. Medication used in the treatment of medical conditions like kidney disease, HIV, and Cancer can also increase the risk of kidney stones

A small number of people get kidney stones because there are very few treatments that can increase the chances of high-level oxalate, phosphate, calcium, and uric acid in our bodies. But if these stones are formed then they may cause extreme discomfort and pain in the kidney. 

 

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Some people have no symptoms to show while having a kidney stone. However, some people do get some symptoms of kidney stones. Here are some symptoms-

  1. Extreme pain in the back, under the ribs, and traveling to the front or sometimes traveling towards the groin. This pain can be so severe that it can sometimes cause nausea or vomiting.
  2. Some symptoms consist of blood in the urine, and cloudy or sometimes bad-smelling urine.
  3. A person can also have a fever, shivers, or sweating if the urine becomes infected.
  4. Immediate urge to urinate due to stone stuck at the outlet of the bladder.
  5. Small stones, passing through the urine can cause uric acid stones.

Treatment Through Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS)

Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is a form of minimally invasive kidney stone surgery that uses a flexible ureteroscope to remove stones. The doctor inserts this thin instrument through the patient’s urethra, up the bladder, and into the ureter to the point where the stone is formed. Once the ureteroscope reaches there, the doctor can either remove the stone or break it down into smaller pieces.

RIRS surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia and is best for smaller stones located in the kidney or upper ureter. Its advantages over traditional open surgery include a shorter hospital stay, less discomfort post-surgery, lower risk of complications, and a quicker return to normal activities.

 

Why Sohana Hospital?

Equipped with advanced technology and highly experienced doctors and nurses, Sohana Hospital stands out as a beacon of hope. This leading hospital in Chandigarh ensures that patients get precise treatment for any discomfort and helps them recover soon. Expert staff at Sohana Hospital Mohali guides the patient about what to do and what not to do after surgery.

So if you have kidney stones and your body can get rid of them on its own, Make sure you visit Sohana Hospital and get proper treatment.