Microliths in the kidneys are small stones, the harbingers of urolithiasis.
Small stones are formed in the urinary organs, which nevertheless give quite tangible pain. This disease can occur in people of all ages - in children, and in adults, and in the elderly. In the last decade, urolithiasis has become a fairly common disease, which is likely due to the influence of adverse environmental factors.
Causes of kidney stones
The main cause of kidney stones is a violation of the body's metabolism. Such a violation leads to the formation of special insoluble salts, the main culprits for the appearance of microlites in the kidneys. According to the chemical composition of stones and kidney microliths differ. Among them there are both oxalates and phosphates, as well as urates, etc. But it can be safely stated that even with an inborn predisposition to stone formation, this disease does not threaten you if there are not any of the factors that have it.
Predisposing factors of the disease
- climatic. The climatic factor assumes a permanent habitat in a hot climate. Due to the heat, a person sweats much more than usual, as a result of which the concentration of salts in the body increases, which leads to increased stone formation;
- geographical. The geographical factor includes, in particular, the composition of the water in the area, since hard water containing a high concentration of calcium salts will contribute to urolithiasis. The composition of food also belongs to the same factor, since the formation of acid and spicy foods contributes to stone formation. In addition, there are geographical areas that are deprived of ultraviolet rays, which affects the development of the disease;
- diseases. Diseases include, first of all, vitamin deficiency. Patients with bone diseases such as osteomyelitis and osteoporosis are also prone to urolithiasis. Diseases of the intestines and stomach, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and colitis, can lead to the fact that the patient forms not only microlites in the kidneys, but also full stones. Diseases that contribute to stone formation include, of course, diseases of the kidneys, as well as of all other organs of the genitourinary system;
- Lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle or sedentary work can cause a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism, which directly leads to urolithiasis.
Symptoms of the disease
It must be said that microliths in the kidneys practically do not manifest themselves in any way, but full-fledged stones more than four millimeters in diameter can already lead to rather strong pain.
Urolithiasis is manifested by aching pain in the lower back, blood in the urine, as well as the possible appearance of stones in the urine. Pain in most cases is aching and dull, but in some cases it can be sharp. In addition, pain in the body is almost always directly related to changes in body position.
Disease treatment
What should be done if the patient does not have full stones, but microlites in the kidneys? Treatment in this case is practically not carried out, it is enough just to be observed by a urologist once a year, undergoing a planned ultrasound examination. Also, the elimination of microliths is facilitated by the daily consumption of one liter of water, tea or other drinks on an empty stomach.
Only a urologist who leads the patient is involved in the treatment of full kidney stones. Depending on the course of the disease, both conservative treatment and surgical intervention are possible. In addition, all patients with urolithiasis are required to follow a special diet, which contributes to the rapid removal of stones from the body.