Health & Diseases

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form inside your kidneys. These stones first start out as a tiny crystal in the kidney where it can get flushed out with your urine or it could remain in the kidney where it will become larger overtime. Ask anyone who has ever had one and they will tell you that the larger the stone, the worse pain they bring. If you are experiencing pain and suspect a kidney stone, get to a Chicagoland hospital as soon as possible.

While most leave your kidneys while they are still relatively small and therefore rather painless, there are the others that can get stuck due their larger size and can cause severe pain. The pain first starts out in your side or back and moves towards your lower abdomen over time. The pain will be migrating as the kidney stones makes their way through your body. Nausea and vomiting, fever and chills and painful urination can all be symptoms. You should seek medical attention at one of the hospitals in the Chicago area if you experience pain so intense you can’t sit still or get comfortable, are vomiting or have a fever or chills.

Since most of us have heard horror stories about the pain incurred at the hands of a kidney stone, we all want to know how to prevent this from happening to us. While this might seem like a great plan, there is no known single cause. However, there are some factors that can cause some people to be more susceptible. Not drinking enough water throughout the day can increase your risk of developing one. While they can occur in people of any age, they are more prevalent in those who are 40 and older. If you eat a diet that is high-protein, high-sodium and high-sugar can also increase your risk. One factor that you cannot change is your genetics. If you are related to someone who has had kidney stones, you are more likely to develop them as well.

If your Momence, Illinois healthcare provider determines that you have a larger stone that needs treatment, there are several different options. One of the most interesting procedures involves using sound waves to break up the stones. These strong vibrations come from an extremely loud noise that could make you uncomfortable. A more radical approach is through a surgery that requires an incision in your back. There are some other treatments available, so make sure to consult your doctor for their medical advice.

Kidney stones are not always fatal, as they tend to pass out from the body through urine. But surgery has to be done if:

-Infection is present.
-The patient has intolerable frequent bouts of severe pain.
-The patient is anuric (A condition in which there is total absence of urine production)
-If there is Hydronephrosis (Aseptic dilatation of the whole or part of the pelvicalyceal system of the kidney due to partial or intermittent obstruction to the outflow of urine)
-If there is Pyonephrosis (In this condition, kidney is converted into a bag of pus)

The treatment of renal stones or calculi can be divided into Non-Operative treatment and Operative treatment.

Non-Operative Treatment.

1-Small stones less than 5mm in size pass off with intake of copious amount of fluids and at times forced diuresis. Intravenous hydration followed by intravenous Frusemide may help pass the stones spontaneously.

2-Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

In this procedure, after cystoscopy, a ureteric stent (Double J Stent) is placed into the ureter on the side of a lager renal stone. Shock waves are generated (around 500-1500 shock waves) which blast the stone, getting it crushed, so it comes out by the side of stent.

ESWL has 3 advantages as this procedure does not cause incision, nor pain and above all, it is quite safe but its disadvantages are its cost factor and availability.

Operative Treatment

1-Endoscopic Procedures

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
PCNL is often done when stone is quite large.

In this procedure, Retrograde Pyelography (RPG) is done, stone is located in the pelvis of kidney. With a small 1cm incision in the loin, the PCN needle is passed into the pelvis of kidney and is confirmed by fluoroscopy. A guide wire is passed through the needle into the pelvis of kidney, now the needle is withdrawn with the guide wire within the pelvis. Over the guide wire, dilators are passed and a working sheath is introduced into the pelvis. A nephroscope is passed into the pelvis and if the stone is small, it is taken out and if big, it may have to be crushed using ultrasound probes and the fragments are removed. Ultrasound or pneumatic energy is used for fragmenting.

PCNL has its own complications as it may cause injury to colon and blood vessels, may cause urinary leak that may persist for few days and may cause sepsis.

2-Open Procedures

Depending upon the location of the stone, various types of procedures are done which are mentioned below:

A. Pyelolithotomy
B. Nephrolithotomy
C. Extended Pyelolithotomy
D. Pyelonephrolithotomy
E. Partial Nephrectomy
F. Nephrectomy (This is done when kidney is destroyed by pyonephrosis, following obstruction by stone)

3-Special Procedures

A. Bilateral Renal Stones: Kidney with better function has to be operated first. 1-2 weeks later, the opposite side is operated.
B. If there is pyonephrosis with a severe degree of fever, pain and tenderness, Nephrostomy is done. If kidney is nonfunctioning, Nephrectomy is done but if kidney is functioning ESWL/PCNL/Open Procedure is done. This is known as Percutaneous Nephrostomy.

However, it must be kept in mind that open procedures for management of stone disease have now become obsolete.