Media Room

URINARY STONES

Our kidneys form urine by filtering the waste chemicals from the blood. Sometimes, these chemicals (like calcium, phosphorus, oxalate, uric acid) crystallize and form urinary stones which can cause damage to the kidneys.

Causes
• Low intake of fluids and high intake of salt and foods rich in oxalates and purines.
• Medical conditions like chronic diarrhea, gout, hypercalcemia, etc.
• Anatomical abnormalities of the urinary system.

Symptoms
Common symptoms are colicky flank pain, dysuria, passing blood in urine, urinary tract infections.

Diagnosis
• Imaging- XRay, Ultrasound, CT Scan
• Urine and blood investigations

Treatment
• Observation and Medical Therapy
• ESWL-Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy
• URS-Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy
•  RIRS-Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery
•  PCNL-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
•  Cystolitholapaxy
•  Laparoscopic and open Surgery

Prevention
•    Adequate fluids intake
•    Reduced salt intake
•    Reduced intake of high oxalate foods like spinach, peanuts, chocolates
•    Reduced intake of high purine foods like red meat, shellfish

Dr. Shriyansh Chahar, MBBS, M.S (General Surgery), M.Ch. (Urology)
Urologist