The kidneys are filled with urine, the walls of the pelvis become distended, the ureters contract, spasmodic pains occur. The kidney does not have enough oxygen, as a result, the person feels renal colic. He is worried about sharp, intensifying pains. The cramping attack is so strong that it is difficult to endure. Such sensations can be compared with childbirth.
Renal colic can occur as a result of many factors and causes that will be considered in the article. What to do - colic in the kidneys interfere with a full life? More on this later.
What are the symptoms?
It is not difficult to distinguish an ailment by pain, if you know all the symptoms of colic in the kidneys that a woman and men can have with such a pathology. If a person first has an attack, and he knows the symptoms of the disease, he will be able to correctly diagnose and provide first aid to himself, observing all the recommendations from the article.
With the development of the disease, the patient develops the main symptom - pain, which begins suddenly. There is discomfort in the lumbar. The pain gradually increases, then descends from the original source of localization to the genitals and affects the intestines. It can be so strong that it resembles a cramping attack. With such an intensifying attack, a person cannot sit in the same position for a long time. The pain is so severe that it forces you to stand up and walk in a circle.
We must not forget that the symptoms can be different.
The first symptom, besides an attack, is difficulty urinating. The patient has little or no urine, and the urge will continue.
In addition to these symptoms, the patient will experience the following phenomena: dry mouth, vomiting, nausea. During this condition, the pressure may be elevated.
The patient may suffer from bloating and increased gas formation, such symptoms greatly complicate well-being.
Body temperature rises, the patient may have a fever. Usually during an attack he experiences shock. Pallor and cold sweat appear on the face.
Initially, the patient has little urine, but after the cessation of pain, a significant amount is released. It may turn reddish. Small traces of blood are noticed.
Causes of the disease
It is important to look for the main causes of colic in the kidneys. A similar factor cannot occur without certain influencing conditions.
To find out the reasons, it is important to seek the help of a specialist. Based on special tests, he will be able to choose the right course of treatment.
The main causes of colic in the kidneys are diverse, it is sometimes difficult to understand immediately what factor influenced the irritation.
One of the many reasons for the development of the disease can be called a mechanical obstruction as a result of poor passage of urine. This can happen due to the presence of stones stuck in the ureter.
With pyelonephritis disease, the ureter can block a clot of mucus or pus, and with tuberculosis of the kidney, dead tissue. Sometimes, the ureter can be affected by tumors of the kidneys, the organ itself, the prostate gland, as well as the hematoma after injuries or surgeries.
The cause of colic in the right kidney is inflammation of the urinary tract in diseases such as hydronephrosis and prostatitis. Renal colic in a patient can occur as a result of renal vein thrombosis, kidney infarction, as well as birth defects in the genitourinary system that could be caused by pregnancy. If the patient has a metabolic disorder, the water-salt and chemical composition of the blood has changed, then this is also a reason for the development of renal colic.
In addition to the hereditary predisposition, they distinguish the characteristic features of nutrition, which are due to the specifics of the national cuisine.
We must not forget about the existing problem of "secondary" stones, which are formed as a result of the outflow of urine. Salt crystals precipitate as a precipitate.
In addition to the above, drinking water can also cause the development of colic in the kidney (left or right). For example, in some regions of Russia, the incidence is higher than in others. A large percentage of patients in the Caucasus, in the Volga region.
The reason for the development of renal colic may lie in a sedentary lifestyle of a person, in a lack of vitamins A and group B in food. Factors that are of great importance for the development of the disease can be the use of drugs, as well as injuries and fractures. In addition, chronic bowel disease (ulcer). As we see, the reasons for the occurrence of an attack of renal colic are numerous.
To summarize the above, the main causes of colic in the kidney area are:
- obstruction factor due to poor urine flow;
- inflamed urinary tract with diseases;
- inflammatory process as a result of renal vein thrombosis, kidney infarction and congenital defects in the genitourinary system that were caused during pregnancy.
Additional factors include other factors: a sedentary lifestyle, an improper diet, a lack of vitamins, injuries, fractures, the use of drugs, low-quality drinking water, and much more.
Diagnostics
It is important to conduct the correct diagnosis of the patient. An accurate diagnosis can be identified after careful observation and analysis. It is difficult to determine the disease without carrying out these procedures.
At the doctor’s appointment, the patient should list all the symptoms that concern him and do not forget to mention the start date for the development of the disease. The doctor writes the information to the patient’s medical card, indicating information about body temperature and blood pressure, then probes the stomach, lower back and chest. All complaints are recorded. The specialist determines the development of the disease by the nature of the symptoms: if the patient has soreness of the lumbar, you can safely talk about renal colic. The pain can be severe or mild. The doctor can immediately palpate where a person has a pathological process. It is determined by the presence of compaction and muscle tension.
Before prescribing the necessary treatment, the specialist sends the patient for a mandatory diagnosis, which consists in the following:
- physical examination;
- passing ultrasound;
- excretory urography;
- radiography;
- general analysis of urine delivery;
- computed tomography.
Only diagnostics can help to correctly determine the diagnosis and identify differences from a number of other diseases. After all, kidney stone, sand and other factors provoke renal colic.
To correctly determine the diagnosis, the patient is first of all important to take tests. Which ones, we will tell below.
Blood analysis
With this analysis, you can see white blood cell counts. With renal colic, their growth is usually not observed. In the analysis, you can see the state of urea in serum, as a result of blockage of the urinary tract, urine can be detected in the blood. In addition to urinalysis, the patient is recommended to do a biochemical blood test to check in which condition the kidneys, acid-base balance, calcium and electrolytes work. It is recommended to evaluate thyroid function.
Analysis of urine
The analysis is carried out in order to detect blood clots, protein, salt, white blood cells. If it is found that the white blood cells exceed the number of red blood cells, thus we can draw a conclusion about the development of infection of the urinary system. If the ureter of the diseased kidney is clogged, a urinalysis may be normal, as the urine comes from a healthy kidney. If there is blood in the urine after the attack, it means that there is a mechanical obstruction in the ureter. And if the blood appeared before the attack, this suggests that the body has a tumor. The acidity level should not exceed 7.5. If there is an increase in the indicator, this indicates the presence of a bacterial infection or stones. If the acidity is less than 5.5, this confirms the presence of stones from uric acid salts. If there are crystals in the urine, their type may indicate the presence and composition of kidney stones.
Urinalysis
Treatment for colic in the kidneys does not work without passing such an analysis. The daily collection is expressed in the fact that all the urine that was produced by the patient must be poured into one container and sent for analysis to determine what factors caused the appearance of kidney stones and, as a result, renal colic. The study allows you to identify whether the stones remained after treatment, to find out their presence or absence in both ureters.
X-ray of the abdominal cavity and urinary system
With an x-ray, the doctor can determine if the patient is suffering from various diseases. An x-ray is able to detect acute pathology, intestinal tract disease, changes in the kidney, if any. If the doctor sees the kidney darker in the picture, then this means that she is sick. An x-ray allows you to determine whether the patient has swelling of the kidney. If a clear line is observed in the image that separates the shadow from the kidney, then this indicates swelling. In addition, the doctor can see the presence of stones in the patient.
Intravenous urography
What to do with colic in the kidneys yet? You should go through the following procedure. When carrying out it, the patient should lie on the x-ray table, where a special substance is injected into his vein, as a result of which it will be possible to see the structure of the organs. Sometimes the patient is asked to stand up and take pictures already in a standing position.
Such a procedure is important to assess the condition of the kidneys, to determine various changes in the kidney, the contours of the calyx and pelvis, patency and performance of the ureters. You can identify a variety of diseases that caused an attack of renal colic. In general, the procedure has many advantages. One big drawback is that the contrast agent used can cause allergies and impair kidney function. This procedure is prescribed individually.
Chromocystoscopy
With this examination, the doctor observes the condition of the mucous membrane of the urinary tract, bladder and ureters. A patient is injected with a harmless drug, which turns the urine blue. Then the doctor monitors the time. Paint should appear in the ureter and bladder. At the sight of stained urine, the doctor makes a final diagnosis. If the patient has impaired renal activity, then the urine is delayed, if it is delayed for 15 minutes, this may indicate significant violations in the kidneys.
Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder
It is important to have an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder. As a result of the examination, you can find out in what condition the urinary tract is located, the degree of expansion of the ureters, the state of the kidney tissue, and also to find out if the patient has kidney stones and what size they are.
Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis
The examination is carried out in order to determine the presence of certain symptoms that indicate a pathology of the disease. The causes may be appendicitis, stomach ulcer, ectopic pregnancy. If the patient has an acute abdomen, he is immediately operated on.
CT scan
If no study can determine the subject of the presence of stones, computed tomography should be done. In this case, instead of the usual two-dimensional, a three-dimensional image of the patient’s body is modeled, and the doctor can examine the affected area of the organ from different angles.
The accuracy of the determination is high. Computed tomography is used in complex cases.
Features of the disease
There are many diseases that are similar to renal colic, and it is easy to confuse them. Let's see what ailments are similar and how to distinguish them. It is important to know the characteristic features of pathologies that resemble renal colic.
Acute appendicitis
Renal colic and acute appendicitis are similar in nature to the course. Both diseases are expressed in acute pain. Many patients experiencing characteristic pain have appendicitis excised. Why were doctors so wrong? Because the appendix is located close to the right ureter.
How to distinguish renal colic from acute appendicitis? It is easy if you know the characteristic features.
A distinctive feature of renal colic from acute appendicitis is vomiting (if it appeared initially - renal colic, after a long time - acute appendicitis).
Hepatic colic
Renal colic is characterized by characteristic features, expressed in severe pain. It occurs in one place. To distinguish it from hepatic, you should know that pain with renal colic spreads down to the genitals, and with hepatic colic, up, and can be given to the chest, scapula or right shoulder.
Acute pancreatitis
With the development of a disease such as acute pancreatitis, abdominal pain intensifies and is given to the back and lumbar region.
The similarity of the diseases lies in the fact that the patient has pain in the intestines, flatulence, bloating, and other symptoms: vomiting, nausea. The difference is expressed in blood pressure: in a patient with pancreatitis, the pressure decreases, with renal colic it is normal.
Intestinal obstruction
The disease is similar to its symptoms described above: the patient has problems with bloating and flatulence.
The distinctive properties of the development of intestinal obstruction disease from renal colic are expressed in the nature of the pain, in the latter it is constant, and in the first there are contractions and depend on the frequency of contractions of the intestinal muscles. The next characteristic feature is the manifestation of high temperature as a result of obstruction due to peritonitis.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The disease is characterized by the fact that a person has abdominal pain that radiates to the lumbar region, as well as bloating, nausea and vomiting. A distinctive feature of the disease from renal colic is low pressure.
Shingles
For this disease, a feature is a rash on the skin. The patient has pain, but the place of its localization does not change, in contrast to renal colic.
Sacral radiculitis of the spine
The disease is similar to renal colic - the pain is severe. But the patient does not have other symptoms: vomiting and nausea. Other complaints are not observed.
Inflammation of the appendages
The pain mainly radiates to the lumbar region, due to which there is a similarity with renal colic. However, a woman may experience pain in the uterus, which can be detected by examination by a doctor.
As you can see, there are many diseases that are similar to the one in question. And it is not easy to recognize them, for this it is important to consult with a specialist and undergo diagnostic measures.
Disease Complications
It is important to know that with renal colic complications are possible. Which ones, we will find out below.
When the stone passes from the cup system, an ureter injury can occur that contributes to its blockage, resulting in severe pain. As a result, urine stagnates in the kidneys, which can lead to a decrease in the rate of filtration of urine in the affected kidney and an increasing load on it.
If the patient has a complete blockage of the ureter, a complication will lead to renal failure. It is important to treat renal colic, otherwise the consequences will be severe. In addition, if the patient ruptures the renal calyx, the urine will be surrounded by a fibrous capsule, similar to a tumor. If an infection is detected in the kidney, this can lead to pyelonephritis or sepsis, which as a result can cause the death of the patient.
As you can see, if treatment is not started in time, the disease can turn into serious complications.
How to treat the disease?
How to relieve kidney colic? Many people care about a similar question. Let's try to figure it out.
It is important to start an emergency treatment. Each patient is treated individually.
To urgently remove stones and mucus from the patient’s ureter, a specialist prescribes drugs that promote the movement of a foreign body to the bladder. Medicines help relieve spasms of the urinary tract and help to soon complete the pain attack.
In addition to medicines, the patient is recommended to use a large amount of pure water, as well as perform physical exercises.
To radically get rid of this disease, it is recommended to use a remote shock wave procedure, as well as surgical intervention.
If the cause of renal colic is a blockage in the ureter, this can be eliminated with medication (make the stone come out). You can use the remote shock wave procedure. If the patient's kidney lowered, as a result of which the ureter was bent, then at the very beginning of the disease the patient is recommended to wear a bandage.In addition, the patient needs to strengthen the muscular framework, so it is so important to choose free time daily for performing physical exercises. If the treatment measures taken are ineffective, the patient must be prepared for surgery. The structure of the ureter is subject to correction only as a result of surgical intervention.
If the patient has a tumor, as a result of which the ureter is bent or twisted, then the treatment is also carried out surgically. If the formation is not malignant, it can be removed. If a severe tumor - only with the help of surgical intervention and radiation therapy.
Perhaps outpatient treatment. The patient can be treated at home and visit the doctor as prescribed, if his condition does not cause any concern.
How to relieve pain with colic in the kidneys?
In addition to drugs, there are several ways and means that can alleviate the condition of the patient with an attack and characteristic pain.
You can improve the patient's condition if you use the right means. It is worth knowing how to provide first aid for colic in the kidneys, how to relieve pain.
Therapy begins with the use of heat (heating pad, bath temperature 37-39 ° C), antispasmodic and pain medication. The seizure can stop the intramuscular injection of 5 ml of Baralgin solution in combination with its oral administration of 0.5 g 3 times a day or subcutaneous injections of 1 ml of a 0.1% atropine solution in combination with 1 ml of a 2% solution of Promedol or 1 ml of 2% Pantopon solution (or 1 ml of 1% morphine solution). With a prolonged seizure, novocaine blockade of the spermatic cord (uterine round ligament) from the lesion is advisable. Renal colic, accompanied by fever, is an indication for hospitalization in the urology department, where ureter catheterization can be performed for therapeutic purposes.
The prognosis for timely and adequate treatment is positive.
Thermal procedures
If the patient has a kidney stone (colic), you can do a thermal procedure in the form of a compress. Lie down in a relaxed state with a heating pad on your stomach or spine. Such heat treatment can alleviate the condition.
But if the patient has inflammatory processes, then it is better not to carry out such a procedure.
Painkillers
What to drink with colic in the kidneys? To reduce spasm of the urinary tract, we can recommend Baralgin M, Drotaverin, Ketoralak. A cure for kidney colic will quickly relieve pain.
Ureter Catheterization
If the drugs did not help the patient, then catheterization of the ureter is indicated. With its help, colic is treated in the kidneys. A catheter is brought to an obstructed ureter and bypassed. So you can remove the accumulated urine, which will immediately facilitate the condition of the patient.
Anesthetics for 3-4 hours can help the patient.
Thus, in order to alleviate the attack, the patient must take urgent measures: painkillers and a thermal procedure in the form of a heating pad. There are other options than treating colic in the kidneys. But these are the most common.
Disease prevention
To prevent the disease, so that it does not return and could not spoil the life of the patient, it is important to observe preventive measures.
Many patients do not think about the consequences of the development of pathology and ignore the advice, which does not end very positively for them.
In order to preventive measures, the patient is recommended to follow these tips. With colic in the kidneys, you can:
- eat well;
- drink plenty of clean water;
- limit salt intake;
- exclude alcoholic beverages;
- avoid overheating;
- daily to include in her diet herbal preparations, as well as cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks.
It is important to follow a balanced diet. Be sure to drink a sufficient amount of liquid, which will reduce the concentration of salt in the urine. In the diet, it is important to reduce the amount of animal proteins, glucose and fats. Recommended treatment table No. 10 or No. 6. The patient is recommended to exercise.
If the patient has an outpatient regimen, it is important to pay special attention to the genitourinary system, go to the toilet more often, and wash your hands with soap. The patient is recommended for a long time to monitor the state of his urine, to look for the presence of stones.
It is not recommended by doctors to take several analgesic drugs at once, they will be able to enhance side effects. If the patient has urine in the body, do not drink a diuretic, this can trigger a new attack.
Recommended Diet
It is important for the patient to adhere to a special diet for colic in the kidneys.
In this case, exclude salt, proteins and fats. The menu should include carbohydrates, plant foods. Allowed to eat all vegetables and fruits, watermelons, melons, zucchini and pumpkins are especially useful.
It is imperative to use a variety of cereals with sand in the kidneys, colic, which contain a huge amount of carbohydrates. They provide the body with energy. Allowed to eat pasta. The patient should include lean meat and fish in his diet, and seafood (mussels, shrimps) is very useful. The patient most of all needs to eat soups, preferably on secondary broths. Vegetarian and dairy are best. Eggs are allowed to be consumed in the form of omelettes, as well as soft-boiled eggs. You can use no more than 2-3 eggs per day in dishes. It is allowed to add a small amount of butter to food, use olive, flaxseed and sunflower, because it is in them that there are many plant substances that are important for the body. In the patient's diet should be present cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir, mild cheeses.
Take food 4-5 times a day. Eat in the form of steam, stewed, boiled and baked dishes, fried foods are strictly forbidden.
If renal colic developed against a background of urolithiasis, then the menu should be adjusted. The diet of the patient should be varied and dietary.
If the patient has removed kidney stones by crushing, a strict diet is not required. However, at first it is best to stick to the right diet. Enter digestible food into the menu. Steaming meat and fish, exclude fried. Drinks containing gases should be removed from your diet. Drink more than 1.5 liters of water per day. During illness, it is better to drink 2 liters of pure water.
If the patient recurs an attack of colic in the area of the kidneys, one does not have to endure and wait until it all goes away! Urgently call an ambulance.
At the end of the article, we recommend that you consider and follow all the advice of a specialist and not ignore the prescribed treatment methods! Take care of yourself!