Kidney stones are among the highly common urinary system related conditions that affect people all over the world irrespective of their age and gender. These stone-like hardened mineral based masses form in the kidney as a result of consuming low fiber and processed foods, staying under hydrated or drinking hard water.
Once a person starts facing the symptoms of kidney stones, the episodes of sudden pain may become a nightmare. Other than intense abdominal and back pain, a person may suffer symptoms such as urinary infection, burning sensation while passing urine and presence of blood in the urine.
Considering the seriousness of the kidney stone symptoms, one should not delay the treatment. Leaving kidney stones untreated won’t make them dissolve on their own. On the contrary, there are high chances that the condition may become critical with time
The patient may have to face the consequences of delaying the kidney stone treatment as the following complications:
- Frequent and severe pain- Delaying kidney stone treatment can result in the increase in size of the stone. When such a stone travels through the urinary tract, there is a high possibility that it may get stuck in the ureter and block it. In such a situation, the ureter tries to push the stone by contracting and relaxing again and again. This can lead to a very intense pain in the abdomen, lower back and groin region.
- Recurrent infections in the urinary tract- When a kidney stone blocks the ureter, it obstructs the proper flow of urine. This may lead to build-up of urine in the urinary tract and strain the kidneys excessively. The site of urine collection becomes vulnerable to the disease causing microbes. This can lead to urinary tract infections from time to time. As a result, you may find yourself enduring frequent urinary discomforts.
- Loss of kidney function- The obstruction of urinary flow and the pressure against the bladder strain the kidneys and they may get overworked. If this continues for a long time, the kidneys can get damaged and they may permanently lose their functioning. Over time, this may also cause chronic kidney disease.
- Increased risk of infections in the kidney- Recurrent urinary tract infections is a common side-effect of delayed kidney stone treatment. However, in severe cases, this infection can travel to other parts of the urinary system as well. Prolonged urinary tract infections can lead to infections in the kidney and this can turn into a very serious condition. If medical treatment is not done in time, the infection can travel through the bloodstream and even cause sepsis.
- Swelling and inflammation in the kidneys- The kidney stone can block the ureter either partially or completely. In case of partial blockage, you may notice urinary discomforts. But if the blockage is complete, your urine flow may be stopped entirely. This can cause the kidneys to swell up and lead to a condition known as hydronephrosis.
- Increased chances of cancer in the kidney- Kidney stones are known to be associated with an increase in the risk of renal cell carcinoma and upper tract urothelial carcinoma. This may happen due to long term irritation and inflammation of the kidneys. According to studies, people with kidney stones have a 39% greater chance of developing renal cell carcinoma. Similarly, the risk of upper tract urothelial carcinoma also increases by 1.7 fold.
Now that you know how serious it can be to delay the treatment of kidney stones, you must get in touch with an experienced urologist as soon as you start noticing the symptoms of kidney stones.
Kidney stones are absolutely curable. A wide variety of treatments are available, ranging from dietary changes to medicines to surgical options.
Home remedies, lifestyle changes and dietary practices can be quite effective in managing the symptoms of kidney stones. For flushing the kidney stones out faster, you can ask your doctor to prescribe certain medications that allow easier removal of the kidney stones. However, these medications may not work in the case of large kidney stones. In these cases, it is better to discuss the surgical treatment with your doctor.
Owing to the advancements in the field of medicine and technology, now you don’t need to undergo the conventional open surgery for kidney stone treatment. A number of effective and least invasive surgical options have come into existence and you can say goodbye to your kidney stone problem without any hassles.
The three most widely used surgeries for kidney stones are laparoscopic surgery, shock wave lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy.
In laparoscopic kidney stone treatment, the surgeon removes the kidney stone using laparoscopic equipment through a small incision in the lower abdomen region. On the other hand, in shock wave lithotripsy and laser ureteroscopy, the surgeon first crushes the stone using shock wave pulses or laser energy. These smaller stones then pass through the urinary tract and are removed along with the urine.
All the three advanced procedures for kidney stone treatment are 100% painless and safe. They do not involve any risk of complications or infections and also offer a speedy recovery. You just need to follow your doctor’s instructions and you can get back to your routine life within 4-5 days
Since these modern surgeries have so many advantages over the conventional procedures, many hospitals offer these nowadays. One such healthcare provider that you can consult for these surgeries is Pristyn Care.
They are associated with some of the best urologists in Delhi and all the other major Indian cities and have a great success rate in kidney stone surgeries. All you need to do is give them a call and consult their specialist. You can then clear all your doubts with the doctor and undergo the surgery at a nearby Pristyn Care partner hospital.
Take Away
The only wise way to get rid of kidney stones is to undergo the proper doctor recommended treatment. Rather than delaying or relying on just regular home-remedies, you should remember the gravity of the situation. If your doctor asks you to undergo surgery, make sure that you only choose one of the above-mentioned modern that will benefit you healthwise. So, be smart enough to go for the right treatment and keep away any bad consequences of prolonged condition of kidney stones.