Urolithiasis, commonly referred to as kidney stones, is a prevalent condition, affecting more than one in 10 people at some point in their lives. These stones form when your body has too much salt and minerals but not enough water in the urine, which causes salt crystals to aggregate, forming ‘’stones.’’
These hard masses can get stuck in your urinary system and cause pain. They also increase the risk of kidney and urinary infections, causing permanent kidney damage. This proves that they are dire and must be treated as such. Read this article to learn more about the causes and diagnostic stages of urolithiasis and explore how you can prevent it.
Risk Factors and Causes
Here are three categories of risk factors leading up to urolithiasis:
1. Dietary and Lifestyle Factors
Diet and hydration play a crucial role in your kidney health. The major dietary causes of kidney stones include:
- High sodium intake: Excessive sodium leads to increased levels of calcium excretion in your urine, forming calcium-based stones.
- Low fluid intake: Fluids are solvents. Not being sufficiently hydrated will increase the solute concentration in your kidneys, and without fluids to flush it out, stones may form.
- Excessive animal protein consumption: A diet high in animal protein increases uric acid levels while decreasing citrate. This can lead to uric acid and calcium stones.
2. Medical Conditions
Sometimes, underlying medical conditions can predispose you to urolithiasis. Consider the following diseases:
- Gout: This is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid buildup in the blood. The excess uric acid can crystallise in your kidneys, forming stones.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): IBD, especially Crohn’s disease, contributes to kidney stones in many ways. For instance, diarrhoea, a common symptom of IBD, leads to dehydration. Similarly, IBD limits the absorption of certain substances that prevent stone formation.
3. Genetic and Anatomical Factors
Genetic factors affect the way your body processes substances. Some structural anomalies can impair the absorption of minerals, making you more prone to urolithiasis. Similarly, some anatomical abnormalities, such as a horseshoe kidney (both kidneys are fused) or a medullary sponge kidney (collecting ducts are dilated), increase the risk of UTIs and kidney stones.
Diagnosis
There are three types of diagnosis.
1. Clinical Presentation
Kidney stones typically come with sudden flashes of severe pain, often described as colicky and radiating to the groin or lower abdomen. Men may also have pain in their testicles. Other symptoms include a high temperature, feeling sick, vomiting, and having blood in your urine. In this case, medical experts such as those at The Urology Clinic should be contacted immediately. These professionals will conduct a thorough history and physical exam to guide further diagnostic evaluation.
2. Imaging Modalities
Imaging plays a critical role in confirming stone presence. A non-contrast CT scan offers excellent sensitivity to detect stones of all compositions and sizes. This scan provides accurate stone size and location, and can identify other abdominal issues. However, it involves radiation exposure, making it less preferable for pregnant women and young children. In this case, you must consider an ultrasound that is radiation-free but less sensitive for small or distal stones.
3. Stone Analysis
This is the third and final stage of diagnosis. A stone will be sent to the lab for infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction once it is passed naturally or removed surgically. This will identify the stone type, confirming risk factors, and inform dietary and pharmacologic interventions.
How to Prevent Urolithiasis
Kidney stones are physically and emotionally draining. Dealing with the pain, emotional turmoil, and anxiety regarding hospital visits can be overwhelming. As such, you must do your best not to let it get to that point. Here are two general measures you can take to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones:
1. Hydration
Hydration is the most effective method of preventing kidney stones. Increasing fluid intake helps dilute the stone-forming substances in the urine, preventing crystallisation. You should aim to drink up to three litres of fluids per day to ensure this.
While water is the preferred fluid, citrus-based juices like lemonade can also offer additional benefits by increasing the urinary citrate levels. You must also monitor your urine colour (ideally pale yellow) to ensure you are drinking enough water.
2. Monitor Sodium and Protein Intake
Reduce salts, processed and packaged foods, fast foods, deli meats, canned soups, and snacks to eliminate excess sodium from your diet. A practical strategy is to read food labels and choose low-sodium alternatives. Reducing your sodium intake in this way will promote kidney health and keep your heart healthy and blood pressure levels normal.
Similarly, aim to consume a moderate amount of animal protein like red meats, poultry, and seafood. Consider incorporating more plant-based protein sources such as legumes, tofu, and nuts.
Endnote
Urolithiasis is a serious condition that can cause long-term damage if not managed properly. Fortunately, you can avoid many kidney stones with simple lifestyle changes. Read the points above to expand your understanding of these and take proactive steps to reduce your risk of stone-related complications.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, medical knowledge is continually evolving, and individual circumstances can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, symptoms, or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. Open MedScience does not accept liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the use of this information.
