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Kidney stones
What should you not eat if you have kidney stones?
Since the main component found in kidney stones is calcium oxalate stones, it is necessary to eat less food high in calcium and oxalates in our diet. Common foods that are high in calcium include soy products such as tofu, soy milk, and dairy products like cow's milk and cheese, which should be consumed in moderation. Additionally, it is advisable to eat fewer foods high in oxalates, such as celery, spinach, strawberries, and chocolate. Moreover, if the stones are uric acid stones, it is important to consume less seafood, animal organs, beer, and other foods high in purines. It is best to drink more water every day and urinate frequently to dilute the urine, which can reduce the formation of stones.
How can kidney stones be expelled from the body?
The method of expelling kidney stones from the body is related to the size of the stones. If the diameter of the kidney stone is less than 0.6 centimeters, it can generally pass smoothly through the ureter and urethra to the outside of the body. This can be facilitated by drinking plenty of water and performing physical activity to naturally expel the stones. If a stone gets stuck in a physiologically narrow part of the ureter during expulsion, conservative treatment methods can be used to dilate the ureter, allowing the stone to pass on its own. If the kidney stones are relatively large but do not cause obstruction within the kidney, they can be observed temporarily without treatment. If larger stones get stuck in the ureter or urethra and cannot be expelled on their own, surgery is generally required to remove the stones. After surgery, it is also important to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently.
Are urinary stones the same as kidney stones?
Urinary stones and kidney stones are not exactly the same. Urinary stones refer to stones in the urinary system, including kidney stones, ureter stones, bladder stones, and urethral stones. Therefore, kidney stones are just one type of stones in the urinary system, and urinary stones include kidney stones. If kidney stones occur, one should promptly visit the hospital's urology department for examinations such as ultrasound or CT scans. This facilitates understanding the specific size, location, number of stones, and whether there is accompanying hydronephrosis or infection, allowing for targeted treatment. If the stones are small, drinking plenty of water, urinating frequently, and exercising can help expel the stones from the body. If the stones are large, or there is hydronephrosis, it is advisable to consider surgery as soon as possible.
Which department should I go to for kidney stones?
Kidney stones should be treated by a urologist. For kidney stones, a urology department will perform an ultrasound of the urinary system to examine them. The symptoms of kidney stones mainly depend on the size, shape, and location of the stones, as well as the presence of any obstructions or complications such as infections. Smaller kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms in patients unless the stone falls into the ureter, which can cause acute renal colic, severe lumbar and abdominal pain, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, urgency, and hematuria. If kidney stones are accompanied by a urinary obstruction or infection, patients may experience persistent high fever. If the kidneys have multiple columnar stones, it can lead to impaired renal function and cause renal insufficiency. Therefore, kidney stones should be taken seriously. If the stones are relatively large, consider surgical treatment or lithotripsy.
What is the best treatment for kidney stones?
Kidney stones are generally treated by drinking a lot of water. Smaller stones may be expelled due to the push of a large volume of urine. Secondly, antispasmodic analgesics like M-type cholinergic receptor blockers can be used to relax the ureteral smooth muscle and alleviate spasms. Thirdly, controlling infection is crucial because urinary tract obstructions caused by stones are prone to infections, and infections often lead to the formation of struvite stones, perpetuating a vicious cycle that exacerbates the condition. It is essential to actively remove obstructions caused by stones and use antibiotics for prevention. Fourth, surgical treatment should be considered when pain cannot be alleviated by medication or when the stone is too large.
Kidney stone symptoms
The symptoms of kidney stones depend on the size and shape of the stone, as well as its location in the kidney, whether there are infections, obstructions, and other factors. Smaller kidney stones, which are smooth, can be expelled with the urine without causing noticeable symptoms. Stones lodged in the lower part of the renal pelvis or in the calyces can be asymptomatic. If the kidney stones are larger, located in the calyces or the renal pelvis, they can compress the kidney and cause back pain or dull pain because the stones can lead to the dilation or obstruction of the renal pelvis or kidney. Patients may experience back pain, fever, and if there is an infection, localized fever may occur. Additionally, kidney stones can scratch the mucous membrane of the ureter or kidney, causing bleeding.
What department should I go to for kidney stones?
Kidney stones are a urological condition requiring treatment at a hospital's urology department. Diagnosis involves imaging, such as ultrasound or CT scans, to determine the stone's exact size and location for appropriate treatment. If the stone is relatively small, with a diameter of six millimeters or less, referred to as a small stone, it generally does not require special treatment. Increased fluid intake, frequent urination, and exercise can help facilitate the expulsion of the stone. If the stone's diameter is between 0.7 and 1.5 centimeters, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or ureteroscopy may be considered. For larger stones exceeding 1.5 centimeters, possibly accompanied by hydronephrosis, the recommended treatments are percutaneous nephrolithotomy or open surgery for stone removal.
Is kidney stones serious?
Whether kidney stones are serious depends on the specific size and location of the stones, and whether there is accompanying kidney hydronephrosis or infection. If it is just a small stone inside the kidney, such as one with a diameter of about five millimeters, this situation is not serious. By drinking more water, urinating frequently, exercising more, and combining with medications like stone expulsion granules and stone expulsion solutions, the stones can generally be expelled from the body. If the stones are large and cause kidney hydronephrosis, or even lead to pyelonephritis or renal abscesses, this situation is more serious. It requires anti-inflammatory treatment and timely surgical intervention to remove the stones, relieve the obstruction of the urinary system, and protect kidney function.
What department should I go to for kidney stones?
Patients with kidney stones need to visit the urology department of their local hospital for standard examinations and treatments. Doctors will conduct an ultrasound and CT scan of the urinary system to determine the exact size of the stones. If the stones are relatively small, measuring less than 1.52 centimeters, they can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. If the stones are larger, surgical treatment is necessary. Currently, the main method is a minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy with holmium laser lithotripsy. Patients generally need about 7-10 days post-operation before they can be discharged from the hospital.
Can people with kidney stones eat pineapple?
Patients with kidney stones can eat pineapple, as well as seasonal vegetables and fruits, as these have no impact on kidney stones. However, patients should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and refrain from drinking alcohol. Treatment plans for kidney stones should be based on their size. It is advisable to first visit a hospital for urinary system ultrasonography and CT scans to assess the size of the stones. Smaller kidney stones may be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, while larger stones may require surgical intervention.