A stone in the pelvis of the kidney appears in 4% of the population of the entire planet. When the disease occurs, 1/5 of the patients have no symptoms. Sometimes signs appear in the presence of large stones. In this case, urgent treatment is required. How to treat the disease and how to determine that foreign bodies appeared in the kidneys?
What are stones in the pelvis?
The pelvis is the main part of the kidney in the form of a bowl, it is required for the production of urine. The bowl is divided into two parts: large and small. Urine then flows through the ureters into the bladder and is excreted. If the ureter is blocked with stones, then the pelvis increases.
With the accumulation of a certain volume in the kidneys, urine passes on. While urine builds up in the pelvis, kidney stones form. The metabolic processes of the body affect the rate of their formation. The increased content of salts in food allows crystals to form. When the ureter is blocked, a dangerous condition may occur.
Stones are solid crystalline compounds. They appear in adults, can occur in children. Most often, crystals form in one kidney, but in 15% of cases are detected on both sides.
Causes of the appearance of stones
In order for stones to appear in the renal pelvis, there must be reasons. Why do some people have salt deposited in the kidneys, while others do not, doctors cannot say for sure. There are factors that increase the risk of a disease:
- daily use of hard water saturated with salts;
- predisposition, heredity;
- long-term chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- dehydration after infectious diseases;
- disruption of the digestive tract due to poisoning;
- treatment of osteoporosis;
- violation of the water-salt balance;
- vitamin deficiency;
- malfunction of the thyroid gland;
- excess of smoked, salted, spicy products;
- living in hot countries;
- long-term medication treatment;
- lack of ultraviolet rays.
Stones can have a different size, from grains of sand to several millimeters. The composition of the crystals differs, depending on the cause of the appearance:
- Phosphate salts are based on phosphoric acid salts. Appear as a result of infection.
- Cystine
- Ureths are more common than others. Formed due to uric acid salts.
- Oscalatal.
- Cholesterol is rare.
Symptoms of kidney stones
There are two types of stones in the pelvis of the kidney:
The movable ones have sharp edges and cause severe pain when passing through the ureter. Fixed provoke stagnation of urine. May not manifest themselves for a long time. Signs of stones are:
- renal colic in the lumbar region;
- pain during urination;
- burning in the lower abdomen;
- frequent desire to visit the toilet;
- nausea;
- the appearance of sand in the urine;
- increase in body temperature;
- the appearance of nausea and vomiting;
- cold sweat;
- bloating;
- increase in pressure.
Symptoms of a stone in the pelvis of the kidney occur suddenly. The pain becomes so intense that a person cannot find a place for himself. Exacerbation occurs from several times a month to 1 time per year. But in any case, treatment is necessary. After 1-2 hours, renal colic subsides, until the next time.
When stones move along the urethra, blood often appears due to damage to the walls.
Danger of stones
It is important to timely treatment of kidney stones. Why is the appearance of stones terrible? The main danger lies in the fact that the elements increase in size over time and block the urethra. The outflow of urine is difficult, which leads to acute pain and disruption of the body.
If urine passes slowly, then the human body gets used to this condition and the disease does not betray itself. Kidney stones without pain are detected by chance on an ultrasound scan. With prolonged presence of excess components in the kidneys, there is a risk of infection.
Foreign objects in the pelvis allow bacteria to firmly gain a foothold in the kidneys. It is not always possible to get rid of them with antibiotics. Because of this, pyelonephritis appears. Inflammation increases and, if untreated, goes into a purulent stage. There are known cases of purulent fusion of kidney tissue. This leads to chronic renal failure. In especially severe cases, blood poisoning and death occurs. Therefore, urologists pay attention to the timely diagnosis of kidney stones.
Diagnosis of stones
The doctor makes a diagnosis based on tests, anamnesis, patient complaints and the results of ultrasound diagnostics. With stones in the pelvis of the kidney, the patient complains of severe pain from the affected organ. On palpation, the pain intensifies.
Urine is necessarily given up. Red blood cells, white blood cells, an increase in protein levels are detected in it and bacteria are detected. A general blood test will tell you about the presence of inflammation.
The x-ray shows the changes that have occurred with the kidneys and in the pelvis. Sometimes MRI and CT of the kidneys are used.
To determine the method of treatment, it is necessary to exclude diseases with similar symptoms. It may be appendicitis or inflammation of the pancreas. For this reason, an ultrasound scan is performed to confirm or reject the diagnosis.
Drug therapy
If stones are found in the pelvis of the kidney, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. The choice of the optimal method depends on the severity of the disease, the general condition of the patient and the results of the diagnosis. Treatment is conservative and surgical. The conservative method is used for stones up to 1 mm and includes:
- compulsory diet with the exception of meat and offal;
- restoration of water balance;
- intake of healing mineral waters;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- the use of antimicrobial agents;
- the use of infusions of herbs;
- physiocabinet;
- if possible, spa treatment.
In treatment, antispasmodics and antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are used. Herbal preparations for the treatment of kidneys are used in many cases.
- "Fitolit" removes small stones, used for prevention.
- "Blemaren" is used to alkalize urine, effectively combats mixed formations.
- "Cyston" is a mild diuretic, dissolves stones.
- Kanefron is the most popular drug.
Shock wave therapy
Removal of stones from the renal pelvis is possible by the shock wave method. The advantage is the absence of cuts on the body. Due to this, the recovery period is reduced. Sand is split by shock wave action and excreted from the body along with urine.
But this method does not split all types of stones, so it is necessary to find out what type of neoplasms in the body. And also the method has some contraindications. After this procedure, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent bacterial complications and diuretics.
Surgical solution
Kidney pelvis stones can be removed surgically. Two methods are used:
- Open way. The oldest, but effective way to deal with stones. An incision is made and the lesions are removed mechanically. But it is more dangerous and traumatic. A long rehabilitation period is possible. Currently rarely used.
- Endourethral surgery. A tube is inserted through a puncture in the skin, through which the stone is crushed. Different methods are used: mechanically, laser, ultrasound. Complications may occur, but less frequently than with open surgery. During surgery, local anesthesia is used.
Home Treatments
When stones appear, kidneys hurt. What to do at home if there is no way to call a doctor? You can use traditional methods of treatment, but they may not bring results, but the situation will not worsen.
Watermelon is used to treat the disease. You need to eat it for at least two weeks to remove most of the stones. When pain occurs, you can take a warm bath to expand the ureter.
If you drink a rosehip broth for a month, then the patient's condition can be alleviated. At least six glasses should be drunk per day.
A glass of warm water with two tablespoons of honey will help to remove the stones. The course of treatment is from 1 to 8 months. Even knowing if the kidneys hurt what to do at home, you should still consult a doctor.
Stone prophylaxis
For the prevention of kidney formations, simple rules must be followed:
- drink quality water two liters a day;
- normalize weight;
- to live an active lifestyle;
- during sedentary work, take a break every two hours;
- reduce salt intake;
- animal products should not exceed 220 g per day;
- reduce the amount of sugar;
- control calcium intake;
- use herbs to treat kidneys;
- increase the number of citrus fruits;
- use drugs for stone prophylaxis, but only as directed by a doctor.
If you follow the basic rules, you can reduce the risk of kidney stones. At the first signs of the onset of the disease, consult a doctor. Self-medication can cost the patient’s health, or life.