Kidney stones are one of the most painful diseases that can occur in a man. Kidney stones are crystallized minerals and salts that form in the kidneys . They can be as small as a dust speck or as large as a grape. Luckily most kidney stones can be treated, particularly if they are caught early before they grow too big or cause problems. Knowing about the kidney stone treatment in Chennai options allows you to take immediate action and make informed choices about your treatment.
Causes of kidney stones and importance of early treatment
Most kidney stones form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid to crystallize and stick together. Dehydration, diet, obesity and some medical conditions are risk factors. Small stones often pass out of the body in the urine. It is uncomfortable, but surgery is usually not needed.
But larger stones can block the flow of urine, cause severe pain (renal colic), and lead to kidney damage or infection if left untreated. So, it is vital to get the kidney stone treatment in Chennai on time – the earlier a stone is detected and treated, the less invasive the treatment options are likely to be.
Conservative management Small stones
Stones <5mm are usually managed conservatively as first line. This means drinking plenty of water – two to three litres a day – to help flush the stone through the urinary tract. “Pain meds are ordered. Alpha-blocker therapy may assist in ureteral relaxation and passage of stones.
The patient is usually requested to strain the urine and save the stone for laboratory examination. This may help identify the composition of the stone and guide dietary changes to prevent future stones.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a very effective treatment for stones that are too big to pass on their own, but not big enough to warrant surgery. This treatment is non-invasive. The procedure uses sound waves that are focused from outside the body to break the stone into smaller pieces that can be passed in the urine.
EWL is usually done as a day case, no cuts are needed and it has a good success rate for stones in the kidney and upper ureter. It is one of the most common treatment for kidney stone treatment in Chennai and is well tolerated by most of the patients.
Ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy Ureteroscopy is the treatment of choice for stones in the lower ureter or those too hard to be treated by ESWL. The doctor inserts a thin, flexible scope up the urethra and bladder and into the ureter. Using a laser, he breaks the stone into tiny pieces. It is done under general or regional anesthesia and is done without any external incisions.
Most patients go home the same day or the morning after with little discomfort and a generally quick recovery.
Big Stone Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
PCNL is still the procedure of choice for very large or complex stone burden. They make a little cut in the back and go right into the kidney with a scope and break up and get the stone out. It requires a short hospitalization but has excellent clearance rates even for staghorn calculi and other difficult stone burden
Kidney stones are very treatable but the window of time for easier, less invasive treatment is greatest when diagnosed early. Don't wait until you are in extreme pain or have complications to see a physician.
GEM Hospital provides a complete urology service with advanced lithotripsy, ureteroscopy and surgical removal of stones by experienced specialists. Whether your stone is complicated or little, their team knows what to do. Contact us today. Take the first step towards relief.