Parsa Hospital Urology Department

Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Types, and Modern Treatment Methods

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form from the buildup of minerals and salts inside the kidneys. These stones can vary greatly in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a pea or even bigger. Their appearance can also be smooth or jagged, resembling a deer’s antler. Small stones may pass without causing symptoms and exit the body through urine, but larger stones can get stuck in the urinary tract, leading to severe pain and other complications.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Recognizing the symptoms of kidney stones is crucial for seeking timely medical attention and initiating treatment. These symptoms can appear suddenly and their intensity can vary:

• Severe and Fluctuating Pain: One of the most prominent signs is severe, colicky (wave-like) pain in the side and back, just below the ribs. This pain may radiate down to the lower abdomen and groin. Sometimes, the pain is so intense that the individual cannot find a comfortable position.

• Urinary Problems: Pain and burning during urination, frequent urination (needing to urinate more often than usual), and a strong urge to urinate are common symptoms.

• Changes in Urine: Urine may appear red, pink, or brown, indicating the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). Cloudy urine or urine with a very foul odor can also be a symptom of kidney stones.

• General and Digestive Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting, especially when the pain is severe, are other signs. Fever and chills may also occur, particularly if the kidney stone is accompanied by an infection.

Kidney Stone Symptoms in Women

Although the symptoms of kidney stones are generally similar in women and men, there are some notable differences. Women may experience pain not only in the usual areas but also in the groin and vulvar region. Sometimes, these pains are mistaken for menstrual pain, urinary tract infections, or other gynecological conditions, which highlights the increased importance of accurate diagnosis by a doctor. In some cases, women with kidney stones also complain of chronic stomach pain. This overlap of symptoms necessitates that if such signs appear, the necessary investigations are carried out to rule out or confirm kidney stones, preventing incorrect treatments and prolonged suffering for the patient.

Symptoms of Kidney Stone Movement

When a stone moves from the kidney and enters the ureter (the narrow tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), symptoms typically intensify. These symptoms include dull and sharp pain in the stomach, very severe pain on one or both sides of the back that may be wave-like, blood in the urine, fever and chills (if infected), cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and nausea and vomiting.

Types of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are classified into different types based on their chemical composition. Understanding the type of stone is important for choosing the appropriate treatment method and preventing the recurrence of stones:

• Calcium Oxalate Stones: This is the most common type of kidney stone, accounting for about 80% of cases. These stones often form in acidic urine and result from the combination of calcium with oxalate (a substance found in many foods). Their color is usually yellow or golden-brown.

• Calcium Phosphate Stones: Less common, these usually form in alkaline urine. These stones may be associated with specific metabolic disorders.

• Uric Acid Stones: This type of stone develops in individuals with high levels of uric acid in their urine (e.g., due to excessive animal protein consumption or gout) and acidic urine.

• Struvite Stones (Infection Stones): These stones are caused by urinary tract infections, especially by bacteria that break down urea. This type of stone is more common in women and can grow rapidly and become large. Their color is usually white or light gray.

• Cystine Stones: This type of stone is rare and is caused by a genetic disorder called cystinuria, in which the amino acid cystine is excessively excreted in the urine. Their color is usually yellowish-green or light brown.

Reasons for Kidney Stone Formation

• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water causes urine to become concentrated, increasing the likelihood of minerals crystallizing.

• Diet: High consumption of salt, sugar, animal protein, and foods rich in oxalate can increase the risk of forming certain types of stones.

• Overweight and Obesity.

• Underlying Diseases: Such as digestive problems, gout, hyperparathyroidism, and recurrent urinary tract infections.

• Family History and Genetics.

• Medications: Certain medications like diuretics and calcium-containing antacids.

Diagnosis of Kidney Stones at Parsa Hospital

• Medical history and physical examination.

• Urine test.

• Blood test.

• Imaging methods: ultrasound, CT scan, plain abdominal X-ray.

• Analysis of the passed stone to determine its type.

Immediate Treatment for Kidney Stones and Home Remedies

• Drink plenty of water.

• Pain relievers.

• Prescription medications: alpha-blockers and preventive medications.

Kidney Stone Lithotripsy (ESWL) and Other Kidney Stone Surgeries

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): A non-invasive method that breaks stones using sound waves.

• Ureteroscopy (URS): Insertion of a thin tube through the urethra to visualize and break stones with a laser.

• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): A minimally invasive surgery for large kidney stones.

• Laser Kidney Stone Surgery: Use of a laser in URS and PCNL procedures.

Comparison Table of Main Kidney Stone Treatment Methods

2. Bladder Diseases: From Urinary Tract Infections to Structural Problems

The bladder is a sac-shaped, muscular organ in the pelvis responsible for storing urine produced by the kidneys and then expelling it from the body. Bladder health is crucial for the normal functioning of the urinary system and individuals’ quality of life.

2.1. Bladder Infection and Inflammation (Cystitis)

Symptoms of Bladder Infection

• Burning or pain during urination

• Frequent urination

• Urgency to urinate

• Dark, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine

• Blood in the urine

• Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen

Treatment of Bladder Infection

The primary treatment is with antibiotics. Drinking plenty of fluids and maintaining good hygiene are also very important.

2.2. Bladder Stones

Symptoms of Bladder Stones

• Pain in the lower abdomen

• Painful urination

• Frequent urination

• Difficulty starting urination or interrupted flow

• Blood in the urine

Treatment of Bladder Stones

For small stones, drinking plenty of water may be sufficient. For larger stones, a procedure called cystolitholapaxy (breaking the stone through the urethra) or, in rare cases, open surgery is used.

2.3. Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele)

Symptoms of Bladder Prolapse

• Feeling of pressure or heaviness in the vagina

• Seeing or feeling a bulge in the vagina

• Urinary problems such as incontinence or incomplete emptying

• Pain during sexual intercourse

Treatment of Bladder Prolapse

Non-surgical treatments include Kegel exercises, vaginal pessaries, and estrogen therapy. In more severe cases, reconstructive surgery (anterior colporrhaphy) is used.

2.4. Other Bladder Disorders

• Bladder Exstrophy: A rare birth defect treated with complex surgeries.

• Bladder Diverticulum: Formation of a pouch in the bladder wall that can cause infection and stones.

• Bladder Tumor: The most common symptom is painless blood in the urine. Treatment depends on the stage and grade of the tumor.

• Neurogenic Bladder: Impaired bladder function due to nerve problems.

• Bladder Spasm: Involuntary and sudden contractions of the bladder muscle.

• Bladder Catheter: A tube for draining urine that has diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

3. Prostate Health: A Comprehensive Guide to Men’s Diseases and Treatments

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ that is part of the male reproductive system, and problems related to it become more prevalent with age.

3.1. Understanding the Prostate Gland

Normal Prostate Size

The normal size of the prostate in a young man is about 20 to 25 cubic centimeters. This size naturally increases with age.

Prostate Ultrasound and PSA Test

Prostate ultrasound is used to measure prostate volume, and the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test is used for prostate cancer screening and to evaluate other prostate problems.

3.2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Symptoms of BPH

• Frequent urination (especially at night)

• Difficulty starting urination

• Weak or interrupted urine stream

• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying

Treatment of BPH

Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications such as alpha-blockers (e.g., terazosin) and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and in more severe cases, surgery (e.g., TURP or laser surgery).

3.3. Prostate Inflammation (Prostatitis)

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland and can be acute (bacterial) or chronic (chronic pelvic pain syndrome). Stress can worsen symptoms. Treatment depends on the type and may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and stress management techniques.

3.4. Prostate Cysts

Prostate cysts are fluid-filled sacs that are often asymptomatic and do not require treatment. If they become symptomatic, they may need drainage or surgery.

3.5. Best Prostate Doctor in Tehran

Choosing an experienced urologist for the treatment of prostate diseases is very important. Parsa Hospital benefits from a distinguished and experienced team of urology specialists and subspecialists.