Kidney stones are the most common problem in nephrology. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to notice the disease at the initial stage of development, as often, it does not have specific symptoms. A person begins to feel pain with kidney stones only if they begin to move toward the exit or clog the ducts. Next, we will understand how to timely identify the problem, consider modern methods of diagnosis and treatment.
The causes of the disease
There are a lot of factors for the occurrence of urolithiasis, however, you can never accurately say which of the causes provoked the disease in a particular case. Experts note such causes of kidney stones:
- genetic predisposition;
- increased intestinal absorption of calcium;
- metabolic disturbance in bone tissue, resulting in increased mobilization of calcium from bone tissue;
- congenital and acquired abnormalities of the urinary system;
- acute and chronic inflammatory processes;
- infectious diseases;
- violation of uric acid metabolism;
- malignant neoplasms;
- compliance with bed rest for a long period of time;
- eating large amounts of food high in animal protein;
- long period of fasting;
- the use of large quantities of strong coffee and alcoholic beverages;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, diuretics, hormones and laxatives;
- violations of phosphorus-calcium metabolism;
- features of climatic and geographical living conditions;
- adverse living conditions;
- features of professional activity.
It is also noted that the appearance of kidney stones may be due to the excessive hardness of the water used, the increased content of calcium salts in it.
Varieties of stones
In the course of studies that are necessarily carried out after the removal of calculi from the kidneys or their independent discharge, the following types of formations are distinguished:
- Cystine stones. Contain cystine amino acids. They have a soft structure, smooth edges and white-yellow color.
- Phosphate stones. They consist of calcium salt, which is part of phosphoric acid. Such stones have a fragile texture, gray-white color and are formed due to the alkaline composition of urine, which can occur as a result of infectious diseases.
- Oxalate stones. Formed from calcium salts, which are part of oxalic acid, they have a dense texture and uneven sharp edges.
- Protein stones. They consist of fibrin with an admixture of bacteria and salts, the texture is soft, and the edges are even, usually small in size.
- Carbonate stones. They consist of calcium salts, which are part of carbonate acid, such formations are soft and white.
- Cholesterol stones. They occur extremely rarely with elevated cholesterol, they crumble easily and have a black tint.
- Urate stones. They are formed due to uric acid, they are dense and smooth.
Determination of the type of stone makes it possible to understand the nature of its occurrence in order to subsequently have the opportunity to adjust the diet, as well as to cure concomitant diseases due to which solid formations could arise.
Pain characteristic
It is discomfort that is the first sign of pathological changes in the kidneys. What are the pains with kidney stones? They may be as follows:
- Drawing, aching and constant indicates the presence of inflammatory processes or infectious diseases.
- Aching pain, which alternates with stitching, is noted if the stones began to move along the ureters. Such pain can give to the coccyx, perineum.
- Pressive is noted in the presence of neoplasms. Sometimes it can turn into sharp, cutting.
- Pulsating or acute are noted in acute inflammatory processes.
The localization of painful sensations, as well as their nature, often helps in making the correct diagnosis. Pain at the exit of kidney stones is noted as the strongest; it can only hurt more if the calculus is stuck in the urinary tract.
Associated symptoms
Often, in addition to pain with kidney stones, the patient feels other manifestations of the disease:
- The appearance in the urine of blood is due to the fact that moving towards the exit, the stone injures the urinary tract. In mild cases, a slightly pinkish color of urine may be noted, in severe cases it resembles meat slops in shade.
- Violation of urination appears in case of obstruction of the ducts with calculus. Violation of the normal outflow of urine can cause the development of acute pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys).
- Deterioration of general well-being - an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills can be noted.
- With kidney stones, the side in which the diseased organ is located hurts.
Also, these symptoms can be a manifestation of a concomitant disease such as renal failure.
Diagnostics
If there is a suspicion of a kidney stone, a kidney hurts, what should I do? First of all, it is necessary to make the correct diagnosis, since it is the key to correctly prescribed treatment. Diagnostics includes the following activities:
- examination and questioning of the patient, during which all the symptoms that he experiences are clarified;
- laboratory tests of urine and blood, in which the levels of calcium, phosphates, oxalates must be clarified;
- ultrasound examination of the kidneys, which will show the presence of calculi, their location, as well as size.
In some cases, computed tomography with the introduction of a contrast agent may be prescribed as additional examinations. If it is necessary to carry out surgical intervention, the patient needs to consult a surgeon, anesthesiologist, therapist and nephrologist.
Conservative treatment
If the side hurts with small stones in the kidneys, medication can be prescribed, which is aimed at reducing pain, relieving inflammation and normalizing the genitourinary system. If the size of the lesions does not exceed 4 mm, doctors recommend the patient a long course of treatment, which includes taking:
- painkillers for pain with kidney stones, it can be No-Shpa, Papaverin, Analgin, Ketanov;
- diuretics to normalize urine diversion;
- antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases;
- vitamin complexes;
- herbal remedies that are taken for a sufficiently long time and normalize the functioning of the urinary system.
Medicines can also be prescribed that are used to dissolve kidney stones, they depend on the type of stones:
- "Urodan", "Etamid", "Allopurinol" with urate stones.
- "Cyston", "Marelin" with phosphate stones.
- "Blemaren", "Spilled" with oxalate stones.
- "Potassium citrate", "Kralit" with cystine stones.
In addition, courses of treatment with mineral waters such as Narzan, Naftusya, Essentuki, Borjomi can be prescribed. Treatment with physiotherapy is widespread: electrophoresis, vacuum, ultrasound, and sanatorium treatment is indicated to improve the general condition.
Surgery
Unfortunately, if the size of the renal formations exceeds 4 mm, surgical removal of stones is prescribed. Modern medicine can offer such methods of solving the problem:
- open abdominal surgery, it is used only if other methods are ineffective, for example, with an extremely large amount of education. Its disadvantages include the fact that it is very traumatic and because of this the rehabilitation period is quite long;
- laparoscopic surgery;
- endoscopic surgery;
- destruction of stones with a laser, followed by the removal of fragments through a small incision or naturally;
- remote crushing of stones into small fractions using ultrasonic waves;
- transurethral ureterorenoscopy, which involves the introduction of a urethroscope into the urethra and the grinding of kidney stones by means of a nephroscope. The operation is rather traumatic, therefore it requires high professionalism from the surgeon.
All surgical interventions are performed in a hospital.
Independent exit of kidney stone
Sometimes it happens that the patient learns about the disease only if the calculus has already begun to move towards the exit. In this case, the patient experiences renal colic - acute pain. He also wonders if the kidney hurts after the stone. There is no definite answer, however, discomfort will be present for some time after this, since formation could damage the urinary tract upon exit.
If a stone comes out and a kidney hurts, then the patient is prescribed painkillers to stop the condition. Also, to help advance, the patient is recommended to drink more water and take diuretics.
Urgent measures upon exit of calculus
Pain in kidney stones increases significantly when they exit. It can last from several hours to several weeks. If the first symptoms of this condition are detected, it is important to call emergency care to transport the patient to the hospital. While waiting, it is allowed to take painkillers, as well as take a warm bath for 15 minutes, this procedure will smooth muscles and ease the pain of moving the stone.
Diet
If the kidney hurts after the stone leaves, a special nutritional system is prescribed, which is aimed at eliminating irritants that can make urine more acidic or alkaline. During the diet, the following products are completely prohibited:
- meat, fish, mushrooms, beans with urate stones;
- chocolate, cocoa, sorrel, beets, lettuce, spinach with oxalate stones;
- salt, carbonated drinks, alcohol, currants, cranberries, dairy products with phosphate stones.
At the end of the rehabilitation period, their use is permitted, however, in limited quantities.
Folk remedies
If a kidney hurts after a stone, then it is recommended to take such folk medicines:
- a decoction of dried apple skins;
- infusion of vine branches and mustaches;
- infusion of rosehip root, knotweed, grapes, barberry;
- oat grains in husk.
It is also permissible to use ready-made pharmacy kidney fees, which must be brewed according to the recipe indicated on the package. Before starting such an independent treatment, you should always consult with your doctor.
Possible complications
Many nephrological patients care about the question - do kidney stones hurt? The answer is yes - yes! In addition, chronic pain can be one of the complications of a pathological condition, in which there is a constant inflammatory process. It can also pass from the kidneys to the urinary tract and bladder, which can interfere with the outflow of urine.
In the absence of treatment for pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), the disease can spread to the perinephric space (paranephritis), in which case a person experiences constant aching and throbbing pain.
Due to the lack of adequate treatment, chronic renal failure may occur, which negatively affects the functioning of the organs. And with acute blockage of the ducts, acute renal failure develops on both sides. Fortunately, this condition is extremely rare.
Preventive measures
How do kidney stones hurt? Reviews from patients with nephrology note that the pain is severe and unbearable if the inflammation is acute, and aching in chronic. In order to avoid suffering and protect yourself from the formation of stones, it is recommended to adhere to such tips:
- daily perform simple physical exercises to maintain body tone;
- completely abandon alcohol;
- maintain weight within normal limits;
- drink about 2 liters of clean water per day;
- reduce the consumption of salty and spicy foods;
- in the presence of stones of one of the types described above, you should adhere to a diet;
- timely stop inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system;
- treat infectious diseases.
It is much easier to prevent the onset of the disease than to cure its consequences.