How are kidney stones treated?

We recently spoke to leading consultant urologist, Mr Nkwam Michael Nkwam, who, here in this article below, details what kidney stones are, outlines the causes and symptoms, and tells us how they are normally diagnosed.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They are made up of minerals and salts and they can vary in shape and size.

What are the causes of kidney stones?

The formation of kidney stones may be influenced by factors such as dehydration, recurrent UTIs, dietary choices, and family history. Men are also two to three times more likely to get kidney stones.

What are the main symptoms?

The main symptoms include severe pain when urinating, abdominal pain, discoloured urine, blood in the urine, changes with the urgency and frequency of urinating, and fever and chills. If these symptoms occur all at once, it is considered a medical emergency.

How are kidney stones diagnosed?

The diagnosis typically involves a medical history, a physical examination, and tests. The main tests include a CT scan or an ultrasound scan.

How are kidney stones treated?

Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size of the stones, the severity of symptoms, and the type of stones. Ibuprofen can be very effective when it comes to treating pain caused by kidney stones.

Medications may also be prescribed to dissolve the kidney stones in certain cases. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy is a non-invasive technique that uses shockwaves to break up the stones, which makes it easier to pass them.

Another option is a ureteroscopy. This surgical procedure involves a thin telescope being inserted through the waterpipe and into the bladder to reach the stone. Laser fibres can then fragment and remove the stones from the kidneys.

Endoscopic open surgery may also be necessary. Dietary and lifestyle changes will be recommended where appropriate, too.

To book a consultation Mr Nkwam Michael Nkwam today, simply visit his Top Doctors profile.