Kidney Stones in Women

Explanation of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are small, solid masses that form when minerals or salts that are normally found in the urine turn into solid crystals inside the kidney (kidneys are organs that clean the blood i.e. they filter out water and waste products thus, making urine). In some cases these crystals are tiny and pass out harmlessly out of the body while in some they can build inside your kidney and form much larger stones.

In the latter case, if the stone become large enough, it may start to move out of your kidney and progress through the ureters (these are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to your bladed). If these stones get stuck in the ureter, they can be the reason for an infection that may lead to permanent damage in the kidney.

Kidney stones are also known as urinary calculi, urinary tract stone disease, nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis, ureterolithiasis and renal calculi. All these terms depend on where they are located.

What are the symptoms and signs of kidney stones?

A sign of kidney stones is tenderness when the abdomen or back is touched.

The symptoms of kidney stones are:
•Sudden and constant pain: The presence of stones may cause intense pain in the side, back, groin or the genitals. Sometimes a cramping pain called renal colic may be felt as the muscular wall of the ureter contracts in order to push the stone towards the bladder. This pain may occur in the left side or the middle of the abdomen. At times it may also travel into the groin.
•Presence of blood in the urine (hematuria): There might be traces of blood in the urine, sometimes it is visible whereas at times it might be detected through a laboratory test. Blood in the urine is an indicator of damage to the lining of the ureter of tissue inside the kidney.
•Painful and frequent urination: This symptom occurs when the stone is in the ureter of after the stone has left the bladder. A urinary tract infection may be accompanied by painful urination.
•Fever
•Appetite loss
•Vomiting and nausea
•Constipation or diarrhea
•Profuse sweating
•A general feeling of tiredness
What are the factors that might put a person at risk for kidney stones?
•Gender: Women are less prone to kidney stones
•Age: Middle aged people are more at risk of developing kidney stones
•Urinary tract infection is recurrent
•Reduced intake of water
•Kidney disorders
•Metabolic disturbances: Bowel, endocrine and kidney problems are some of them
•As excess intake of Vitamins C and D
•Blockage in the urinary tract
•Medications: Diuretics (water pills) and calcium-based antacids
•Consumption of alcohol
What is the treatment available for kidney stones?

The treatment of kidney stones depends on the cause and the type, however it is important to note that most stones can be treated without surgery. Smaller than about five millimeters stones can be removed by drinking lots of water and staying physically active. The doctor may prescribe some medicines to reduce the pain or treat infections.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This is one common method used in dealing with kidney stones. This treatment is performed under local anesthesia and uses the X-Ray imaging and ultrasound scanning to locate the stones. Once it is located, a machine called a lithotriptor is used to target shock waves to break the kidney stones into crystals small enough to be passed through the urine.

Ureteroscopic Stone Removal: Like the one above, this procedure is performed under local anesthesia too. In case the stone is lodged in the ureter, then a narrow flexible instrument called a cystoscope is passed up through the urethra and bladder. This done, the stone is captured and removed or broken down using a laser beam or shock waves that are generated by a device that is attached at the end of the cytoscope.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): In this procedure the doctor makes a small cut in your back and uses a telescopic instrument called a nephroscope to pull the stone out or break it up with a laser or shock waves. As this procedure is performed under local anesthesia, it can affect your co-ordination and reasoning skills. It is thus advisable to always follow the doctor’s advice.