An Introduction To Kidney Stone Treatments

The treatment of kidney stones is pretty similar for both adults and children. The most common kidney stone therapy that is non-invasive is to drink water in order to allow the kidney stone to pass in the urine stream. Doctors may offer you some medication. However, in case the kidney stone is too large to pass through the urinary tract, the next best option is surgical removal of the stones.

One of the most common ailments across the globe is kidney stones. Over half a million people are rushed to emergency rooms due to kidney stone pain and issues related to the same. According to medical studies, one in ten people have kidney stones at some point in their lives. Kidney stones are small masses made up of tiny crystals that are present in the kidney or ureter at the same time. Some kidney stones may pass along while urination without any problem. However, if they grow in size up to at least 3 millimeters they can cause blockage in the ureter. The symptoms of kidney stones include shooting pain in the groin area and back. The pain caused by kidney stones is called renal colic and often stays for about 20 to 60 minutes. In this article, we are discussing kidney stone disease treatment for a better understanding.

What Are The Types Of Kidney Stone Treatments?

There are multiple kidney stone disease treatments that are discussed below:

Home Remedies for Kidney Treatment
Before we jump into medical kidney stone therapy, it is essential to figure out all the important home remedies that help with the removal of kidney stones. The most common is, drinking sufficient water (7-8 liters) on a daily basis in order to flush out kidney stones. Some other popular home remedies are drinking lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pomegranate juice, and basil juice, and avoiding oxalate-rich foods such as grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy
It is a non-invasive kidney stone disease treatment that uses high-energy sound waves in order to break kidney stones into fragments which can then be easily passed out through your urinary tract without causing any pain or discomfort. This method of kidney stone therapy is preferred among most individuals as it does not require any kind of incision or cuts in the body. However, the individual may need to be under anesthesia as they may feel strain around their abdomen and back.
Ureteroscopy
In this procedure, a small flexible telescope is inserted into the bladder and ureter which is used to diagnose many infections and ailments along with ureteral stone. It is a convenient method for the urologist as it helps in finding the stone precisely in case the stone is of a subsequent size. This method is used for the stones present in the ureter especially those that are closest to the bladder.
Ureterorenoscopic Lithotripsy
In cases where the stone is stuck within the bladder or the ureter, doctors use a ureteroscope for the removal of the stone. it is a non-invasive procedure as there is no incision required. A ureteroscope with laser fiber is inserted in the bladder and ureter. Laser fiber is used to transmit holmium energy that further leads to the breaking up of the stone allowing the stones to come out through the urethra.

Does Your Health Insurance Plan Cover Kidney Stone Disease Treatment?

Kidney stones are formed by the hard deposits of minerals that may cause blood in urine causing extreme pain and discomfort when passing through the urethra. Kidney stones are painful but are not dangerous. Most kidney stone treatments depend on the diagnosis provided by the doctor and the size of the kidney stone that you are diagnosed with.

Health insurance for kidney treatment provide kidney stone therapy to the insured individual, including doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and medications. However, multiple health insurance plans may have exclusions for certain procedures such as surgery or lithotripsy. It is essential to read the policy document thoroughly before investing in a health insurance plan required for kidney stones.

Kidney Stone Therapy Diagnosis

If you experience symptoms such as difficulty in urination, pain while urination, or the presence of blood in urine you must consult your doctor immediately as they are all indications of kidney stones. There are certain diagnostic tests designed that help determine the size and placement of the stone in your urinary tract which further helps determine the kidney stone disease treatment.

CT Scan
Doctors may ask you to undergo a CT Scan, X-ray, and ultrasound in order to reveal the placement of the stone in your urinary tract.
Blood Tests
Blood tests determine the levels of calcium or uric acid in your blood which may indicate the presence of kidney stones in your urinary tract
Urine Test
In order to determine if you have kidney stones, your doctor may send your urine samples to the lab for testing which will assess the amount of minerals present in your urine and if they can form kidney stones in the future.

Conclusion

There are various kidney stone treatments that a patient can undergo but the most preferred one is allowing the kidney stones to pass naturally in the urine stream as kidney stones are not dangerous but painful. Men are more prone to kidney stones and have a higher chance of being diagnosed with the same. It is advised to stay hydrated and drink at least 7 to 8 liters of water on a daily basis along with keeping a healthy diet.

Kidney Stone Treatments: FAQs

1. Can Kidney Stone Disease Treatment Be Done Without Surgery?

Yes, most urinary tract stones are treated without any surgery in most cases. In case you have a kidney stone, medication and regular intake of water will help the kidney stone to pass in the urine stream within 4 to 6 weeks. The only concern for most individuals is the amount of pain that comes with kidney stones for which painkillers are prescribed by doctors.

2. What are the common symptoms of kidney stones?

Kidney stone symptoms include intense pain around the groin area and on its sides, inability to pass urine, burning sensation while passing urine, presence of blood during passing urine, nausea, and vomiting in some cases. It is essential to determine the size of the kidney stone and its placement in order to reach a conclusive kidney stone treatment.

3. What are the most common reasons for kidney stone formation?

The most common reason for having kidney stones is insufficient water intake. It can also be caused if it is hereditary, due to underlying medical conditions, consuming certain kinds of food that are high in salt or sugar content, consuming excessive processed food, and more.