In fact, the symptoms and signs of urolithiasis in women are not much different from the clinical manifestations of this disease in the stronger sex. Only, according to statistics, ladies are several times less likely to experience this unpleasant pathology.
Description
Urolithiasis, which doctors call urolithiasis, is a disease characterized by the appearance of solid stone-like neoplasms in the organs of the urinary system. In fact, these stones are crystals formed from s alts dissolved in the urine.
The occurrence of such foreign bodies in the urinary system entails injury to the mucous membrane and, as a result, inflammation. It is these phenomena that provoke the development of a characteristic clinical picture and signs of urolithiasis in women.
It is noteworthy that pathology can occur literally at any age. Sometimes stones are diagnosed even in little girls.
Usually stones have a mixed composition. Their dimensions can reach 10-15 cm. Medicine knows cases when stones weighed several kilograms. However, this happens only in the advanced stages of the defect. However, women are much more likely to find small stones, a few millimeters in size.
Reasons for appearance
In the fairer sex, urolithiasis develops against the background of an increase in the body of cystine, calcium, oxalates and uric acid directly in urine. Each of these elements is able to crystallize. The formed grains of sand settle in the organs of the urinary system and gradually increase in size.
The main causes of urolithiasis in women are the following factors:
- genetic predisposition;
- regular drinking of too hard water;
- malnutrition;
- pathologies and deviations in the musculoskeletal system;
- disorders in the activity of the liver;
- chronic diseases of the digestive tract;
- pyelonephritis (kidney inflammation);
- nephroptosis.
In addition, urolithiasis can occur in women living in adverse climatic conditions. Residents of areas characterized by a deficiency of ultraviolet rays and vitamin D are much more likely to develop stones. True, according to experts, too hot climate also negatively affects the state of the body. In this case, stones may already form due to regular dehydration.
Clinical manifestations
Often signs of urolithiasisdiseases in women are simply absent. In other words, pathology for a long time can be completely asymptomatic. To identify stones in such a situation is obtained only when their size becomes impressive. Another option is not ruled out - often calculi are diagnosed quite by accident, at the time of a routine examination.
If the defect manifests itself, then the main symptom of urolithiasis in women is often pain. Their intensity is quite different. Sometimes the pain is minimal, almost imperceptible, and in some cases it becomes so sharp that the woman simply cannot move. Sensations are localized, as a rule, in the lower abdomen or side. Doctors call this phenomenon renal colic. Their nature and intensity largely depend on the location of the stones and their dimensions. Maximum discomfort occurs after physical activity and shaking, for example, during a trip.
It is noteworthy that the pain changes in parallel with the movement of the stones themselves. At the same time, another sign of urolithiasis in women is also noted - the outflow of urine. As the stones move down the lower part of the ureter, the pain covers the labia. This process is accompanied by frequent urination and other dysuric disorders.
During such attacks, there are other symptoms of urolithiasis in women. They have fever, chills, hematuria, vomiting, nausea,leukocytosis.
There are other symptoms of urolithiasis in women. Most often these include:
- presence of sand in urine;
- vomit;
- nausea;
- admixture of blood in urine;
- pain when emptying the bladder;
- increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees;
- spontaneous release of stones;
- high blood pressure.
Urine with urolithiasis in women is always cloudy, with impurities. And if the stones are localized outside the kidneys, there are always drops of blood in it.
Varieties
There are different types of stones diagnosed with urolithiasis. Most often, their structure contains various substances. Only the predominance of a certain element gives the stone its name.
- Calcium. They are the most common and are divided into calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.
- Oxalate. Usually found in the urinary tract. Such stones are formed against the background of dehydration of the body due to autoimmune diseases, chronic infectious pathologies, alcoholism.
- Uratnye. Occurs as a result of an excess of uric acid. Often diagnosed in people suffering from obesity and gout.
- Phosphate. Appear against the background of bacterial defects.
- Cystine. Often formed in the process of amino acid metabolism disorders. Very rare.
- Cholesterol. Considered the rarest.
Signsthe formation of any stones always remain the same in the initial stages of the disease and during the movement of stones. Only the composition and structure of the neoplasms themselves differ.
Diagnosis
To detect urolithiasis is actually quite easy if a woman has had renal colic or pain in the lumbar region at least once. Objective signs of pathology, together with the results of laboratory tests, enable the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis and proceed directly to treatment.
As a diagnostic, the patient is first assigned certain tests. With urolithiasis in women, it is advisable to first take urine for examination. A standard analysis will reveal the nature of neoplasms and, of course, select the appropriate treatment regimen. pH plays the most important role. If it equates to 6, then, most likely, calcium oxalate and urate stones are present in the woman's body. If the pH level reaches 7.1, this indicates the presence of phosphate stones with magnesium. The result of 6, 5 indicates the formation of calcium-phosphate neoplasms. If the pH fluctuates between 5, 5-6, you can deal with the elimination of stones from uric acid.
True, urinalysis is considered insufficiently accurate and only allows one to guess what the mechanism of stone development looks like. It should be used only as part of a comprehensive diagnosis of the whole organism.
When a disease is detected, it is equally important to identify the initial causes of its occurrence. That is why it is so important to general analyzesadd also studies of hormones and trace elements. The activity of thyroid hormones, catecholamines, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D should be checked. It is equally important to determine the level of sodium and calcium in the body. An analysis that helps to assess the amount of uric acid is also considered mandatory.
Ultrasound and excretory urography are considered the best methods to detect even the initial signs of urolithiasis in women.
General principles of treatment
First of all, it is necessary to find out the reasons for the formation of stones, their location and exact dimensions. If the patient feels normal, is able to take care of herself and she is not tormented by pain, it is not necessary to conduct therapy in a hospital.
Surgical and conservative methods can be used to treat urolithiasis in women. Some folk remedies are considered quite effective.
The therapy itself is conventionally divided into two stages: the removal of the stones themselves and the correction of disturbances in metabolic processes that actually provoked the development of pathology. With small neoplasms, up to 5 mm in size, drugs that have a lithotropic effect are used. But large stones are removed only by surgery or by means of ultrasonic lithotripsy.
Diet for urolithiasis in women
The menu for such a disease should be compiled, depending on the type of neoplasm and the characteristics of the course of the pathology. But be that as it may,any woman with such a diagnosis is shown to drink plenty of water - at least two liters of water per day. It is also advisable to consume as many foods that are rich in fiber as possible.
A diet for urolithiasis in women should limit the amount of fried and smoked meat, rich broths, chocolate, cocoa, beans and coffee in the daily menu. Such a diet is shown primarily to those who have urate stones. It is extremely important to avoid alcohol and spicy foods completely.
Nutrition for urolithiasis in women who have encountered calcium stones should be deprived of fermented milk products, sorrel, lettuce, carrots, cocoa, strawberries, black currants and coffee. It is recommended to additionally take vitamin B6 at 0.02 g three times a day with meals. You need to drink it for at least a month.
The diet for urolithiasis in women with phosphate neoplasms should limit the amount of dairy products, fruits, eggs and vegetables. The menu should include as many fish, flour products and meat as possible.
The presence of cystine stones in the body involves drinking plenty of water and limited s alt intake. There are no other prohibitions.
Drug therapy
Of course, for a complete recovery, each patient with such a diagnosis requires certain drugs. Treatment of urolithiasis in women involves the use of antispasmodics and analgesics, which are necessary to eliminate the pain syndrome, a characteristic pathology. Oftenpatients are recommended to take "No-shpy", "Analgin", "Ketarol", "Baralgin". In the case of severe, intolerable renal colic, the doctor may prescribe narcotic analgesics.
Practically always, the treatment of urolithiasis in women involves the use of not only painkillers, but also means that promote accelerated removal of stones. For example, Ibuprofen, Tamsulosin, Nifedipine, Naproxen are often used for this purpose.
Medicines, as a rule, are selected on an individual basis, taking into account the chemical composition of the detected neoplasms:
- calcium oxalate stones need therapy with Blemaren, magnesium oxide, Hypothiazide, vitamin B6;
- based on uric acid - requires "Allopurinol" and "Blemaren";
- with calcium-phosphate stones, antibacterial drugs, boric acid, herbal remedies, "Hypothiazide", magnesium ascorbate, methionine are prescribed;
- cystine stones require treatment with ascorbic acid, Blemaren, penicillin.
If, according to the results of a urine test, an inflammatory process is detected, appropriate antibiotics are mandatory prescribed.
All necessary drugs are selected individually by a nephrologist or urologist based on the diagnosis.
Removal of stones without surgery
If drug therapy is ineffective or contraindicated, a different treatment regimen is selected for the patient. There are many minimally invasive and less traumatic methods that allow you to destroy and eliminate neoplasms from the organs of the urinary system. These procedures include:
- litholysis;
- ureterolitholapoxia;
- instrumental surgery on the ureter;
- remote lithotripsy;
- extraction;
- contact lithotripsy.
Surgery
When the size of the stone exceeds 5 cm, experts usually recommend surgery to the patient. It is also indicated for stones in the ureter.
Open operations are extremely rare today. Such an intervention usually consists of two stages: crushing and extracting the stone. Unlike other methods of therapy, such an operation provides for a more difficult and longer period of recovery of the body.
Treatment of urolithiasis in women with folk remedies
Some recipes are really famous for their effectiveness in combating this pathology. One of these means is the collection of Yordanov. For its preparation you need: mint, horsetail and nettle leaves, rose hips and juniper berries, elder flowers.
All listed components should be mixed, taking them in equal quantities. For 2 tablespoons of herbs, a liter of boiling water is needed. The prepared remedy should be allowed to brew, strain and take 3 times a day with meals. A single dosage is 50 ml. Usually,treatment of urolithiasis of the kidneys in a woman is quite long. That is why it is contraindicated in the acute course of pathology.
Small stones can be eliminated with all kinds of diuretic herbs:
- calcium and phosphate - a combination of madder, St. John's wort, parsley, burdock, cranberries, rue, bearberry and calamus;
- Uric acid neoplasms - strawberry leaves, lingonberries, horsetail, birch, parsley and dill seeds will help;
- corn silk, knotweed, horsetail, peppermint, strawberries can get rid of oxalate stones.
To eliminate small stones, decoctions can be prepared from several plants, it is not necessary to use all of the listed ingredients. For every 2 tablespoons of the mixture, a liter of boiling water is taken. It is necessary to insist the remedy for no longer than three hours. The prepared medicine should be drunk three times a day. The course of treatment should last 2-3 weeks. For each dose you need to drink no more than 20 ml of funds.
Prevention
Of course, it is much easier to prevent the development of urolithiasis than to treat it later. Doctors recommend following a few simple rules that will help slow down the process of stone formation and get rid of them. It is desirable to comply with these conditions for all women who have had renal colic at least once.
- Drinking balance. It is recommended to drink at least two liters of water during the day. In summer, this level can be increased to threeliters.
- Prevention of dehydration. In a hot climate, you need to drink more fluids, but in small portions.
- Dieting. A balanced diet can significantly reduce the risk of pathology. The choice of diet is best left to a specialist. If desired, the daily menu can be supplemented with useful multivitamin complexes and supplements.
- S alt restriction. It is better to unders alt dishes than vice versa. An excess of s alt puts an increased burden on the kidneys, contributing to the occurrence of pathology.
- Physical activity. Moderate stress on the back and stomach improves blood flow to the kidneys, which stimulates the metabolism and detoxification process.
Relapse Prevention
In order to prevent the recurrence of stones in the organs of the urinary system, you must:
- treat all diseases in time;
- exercise regularly;
- get rid of a sedentary lifestyle;
- eat well;
- do physical therapy after surgery;
- check vitamin D and calcium levels once a year;
- visit the urologist with the same frequency;
- take blood and urine tests every few months.
These simple measures make it possible to significantly reduce the likelihood of stones in the organs of the genitourinary system and eliminate all unpleasant manifestations of the pathology.
Complications
In the absence of timely andWith proper therapy, urolithiasis threatens a woman with such complications as:
- hydronephrosis;
- paranephritis;
- pyonephrosis;
- anemia;
- chronic inflammation;
- nephrosclerosis;
- kidney failure.
Incorrect treatment, neglect of the doctor's recommendations and abuse of folk remedies without the permission of a specialist - all this can lead to quite serious consequences.
