The appearance of kidney stones is scientifically called urolithiasis. All age groups, without exception, can be affected by this disease. If a kidney stone has formed, symptoms of the disease, such as lower back pain and discoloration of urine, may not be present. The disease most often develops as a result of a violation of water-s alt metabolism, but there are additional reasons. The appearance of stones depends on:
- heredity;
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system: gastritis, cystitis, prostatitis, colitis;
- presence of injuries and bone diseases;
- vitamin D hypervitaminosis;
- frequent consumption of acidic, s alty and spicy foods and hard water;
- excess ultraviolet.
Main symptoms of urolithiasis
What are the signs that a kidney stone has formed? Symptoms accompanying the disease can be manifested by pain in the lower abdomen, as well as in the belt area on one or both sides. This is due to the fact that the stone that enters the ureters causes discomfort and renal colic. About the disease cansignal the following signs:
- discoloration of urine;
- renal pain, recurring periodically and subsiding;
- increased blood pressure;
- appearance of edema.
Asymptomatic urolithiasis is possible, but in extremely rare cases. However, the patient sometimes accidentally learns that he has a kidney stone. Symptoms may be mild or absent altogether. And only a doctor during an ultrasound examination will be able to detect the presence of the disease.
Urolithiasis requires conservative and operative treatments with the main goals being:
- removal of kidney stones;
- prevention of re-formation of calculi (recurrence);
- eliminate the infection.
In the conservative treatment of this disease, special drugs are used that are aimed at normalizing metabolism, dissolving stones and stopping inflammation in the urinary system. Patients are also recommended diet therapy. With small stones, this method is effective.
Surgical removal is used if a large kidney stone is detected. Symptoms of the disease in this case are most often pronounced. The same is done if the kidney stones have a coral complex shape.
There is an alternative to open surgery. This is the crushing of kidney stones under the influence of acoustic electro-hydraulic waves.
Folk remedies used for treatmentkidney stones
There are also non-traditional methods of treating urolithiasis, which include various decoctions of plants that contribute to the crushing of kidney stones and their painless removal. But before using folk remedies, you should definitely consult a doctor, because kidney stones may suddenly start to come out. Symptoms in this case will be very painful, you will need urgent help from doctors. This is due to the fact that urinary stones have a different chemical nature, and different means will be required to dissolve them. Incorrectly selected herbs can lead to their further growth or the development of attacks of renal colic.
Diet of patients with urolithiasis
If doctors found sand, kidney stones, symptoms of urolithiasis make themselves felt regularly, you must strictly follow a special diet in nutrition:
- Drink plenty of fluids to remove s alt deposits and small stones.
- Eat a diet of foods that maintain the pH of the urine and help the natural dissolution of stones.
- Limit foods that can contribute to the formation of urinary stones.
- Completely eliminate chocolate, legumes, sorrel, cabbage, figs and organ meats from the diet.
- The menu must include dishes from fish, meat, fruits and vegetables.
- It is allowed to eat sour apples, pumpkin, cranberries, lingonberries, plums and pears.
- You should also remember aboutphysical exercise, during which calcium moves from the blood to the bones.
