No doubt, kidney stones are among the most common medical conditions. The formation of these stones in the kidney is highly painful and can happen to a large number of people globally. The deposits may take the form of minute grains or may develop into larger pebble-like stones in addition to varying in size. Problems arise when these stones, in some cases, kidney stones, travel through the urinary tract, resulting in pain that is quite severe.
There are many different stages of a kidney stone passing via the urinary system, the last and final stage is the most significant, where the stone makes its way into the bladder and the body. This stage facilitates the patient in knowing how the stone can be passed and how to manage symptoms during this stage.
In this blog, we look to cover symptoms that arise in the last stage of passing a kidney stone along with the ways one can reduce the suffering from such symptoms and know when professional attention is required.
How Kidney Stones Are Formed?
Crystals of calcium, oxalate, and uric acid all tend to accumulate in a person’s urine which is concentrated. These substances rather than dissolving tend to form solid crystals which tend to grow over time. This phenomenon is termed as kidney stones.
Primary Reasons for Kidney Stone Formation
The formation of k¡dney stones can be attributed to various elements which include:
- Dehydration – Lack of hydration results in water being drawn from the body which increases urine concentration and can lead to formations of a stone.
- Dietary Factors – High intake of onions, spinach, nuts, salt and excessive consumption of animal proteins are some of the leading causes of stone formations.
- Genetics – If a family member from the lineage had stones in the k¡dneys, then there’s a higher chance for other family members to develop them too.
- Medical Conditions – People suffering from hyperparathyroidism, frequent UTIs, and various metabolic disorders are at higher chances of developing kidney stones.
Kidney Stones Passing Stages
Kidney stones go through four stages of processes before eliminating from the body.
- Formation in the Kidney – The combine crystalizes into a stone mass in the k¡dney.
- Movement into the Ureter – This stone passes from the k¡dneys into the ureter, this usually results in intense pain due to the movement through the narrow path.
- Entry into the Bladder – The stone is now located in the bladder, therefore it is not causing any obstruction and therefore symptoms may reduce or vanish.
- Final Passage Through the Urethra – This stage is when the stone is eliminated from the body through urination.
Moving from the last step of the process to the next entails a shift from the bladder to the urethra where the stone can be eliminated through urination. These last steps in the process of kidney stone removal typically produce the least amount of discomfort, unlike other more advanced stages. However, there is some level of pain still experienced during this phase.
Symptoms Discomfort Experienced At This Stage
– Burning Sensation While Urinating – There are more problems one faces whenever one needs to urinate with the kidney stone present which includes irritation that leads to burning of urination.
– Frequent Urge to Urinate – A person with a stone tucked inside the bladder constantly needs to pass out urine.
– Mild Pain Or Pressure – The kidney stone also exerts pressure as well as causes pain when the stone is on the move through the bladder and urethra.
– Cloudy Or Blood Tinge Urine – A person suffering with urinary tract infection along as an additional effect to the stone will notice some blood during the passing of the stone of the urine.
– Relief After Passage– The signs associated formerly with bearing pain along with the excessive feeling of having the need to urinate disappears after the stone has been released. Many people report having these feelings once the kidney stone has been passed.
How to Ease the Final Stage of Passing a Kidney Stone?
Here are some tips that can assist with the elimination strategy, even though this stage is the least challenging:
1. Stay Hydrated
To enhance the half-life, drink a lot of water. Correct hydration optimally succors flushing the stone out. You should aim for at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Drinking warm water or water mixed with lemon accelerates the urge to urinate for some people.
2. Urinate When You Feel the Urge
Avoiding the passing of urine only hinders the removal of the stone. It is necessary to urinate at the very first feeling of a need to do so, to lessen the chances of further blockage or irritation in the urinary tract.
3. Use a Strainer to Collect the Stone
Use a strainer while urinating if your doctor recommended collecting the stone for analysis. This strategy helps to catch the stone and aids in easier identification burgeons which type the stone is, allowing better treatment planning in the future, if it happens again.
4. Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
If you experience constant discomfort, using ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen can help alleviate the discomfort and aid in reducing inflammation. Always follow the recommended dosage, or speak to a health care professional if you are in great discomfort.
5. Utilize Heat Therapy
When it comes to discomfort, placing a warm heating pad or a compress to the lower abdomen can soothe is helpful in relaxing the muscles. It is best to utilize it for pain that exists within the bladder or urethra.
When to Get Help?
Even though most kidney stones naturally dissolve, some could necessitate the help of a physician. You should call the urologist if you have:
- Severe, unbearable pain that does not go away with the help of medicines
- Chronic fever or chills that can be a symptom of infection
- An absence of urinating, which can mean a blockage
- There is urine that is full of blood, which can lead to other different complications
- Nausea and vomiting which makes staying hydrated a challenge
The suitable help is available nowadays for those who have very large kidney stones. Advanced methods exist in order to safely try to make use of them.
Advanced Treatments for Kidney Stones
For stones that do not dissolve naturally, the most effective kidney stone treatment involves some form of surgical intervention.
1. Retrograde Intrarenal surgery (RIRS)
RIRS is a new, minimally invasive one-step procedure to treat kidney stones in which the urologist enters through the urethra utilizing a flexible ureteroscope and accesses the kidney. The stones are then fragmented by a laser into pieces small enough to be passed naturally. RIRS is one of the preferred methods for medium-sized stones that are retained.
2. FANS RIRS (Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Laser Lithotripsy)
FANS RIRS is an upgraded type of RIRS, which utilizes a flexible ureteroscope and high-power laser to fragment and extract kidney stones. This method has little to no downtime, making it an effective treatment option for patients with complicated stones.
Specialized Treatment for Kidney Stones in Gurgaon
There is no need to worry if you are looking for specialized care for kidney stones as Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is a remarkably skilled urologist in Gurgaon with special focus on managing kidney stones. He uses RIRS and FANS RIRS techniques to effectively and efficiently remove stones from the kidney using a minimally invasive approach.
Dr. Deepanshu strives to make certain that all of his patients receive thorough attention from the moment of diagnosis until postoperative care. If you are suffering from kidney stone pain or need targeted surgical attention, Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is the doctor to see for optimal urological treatment in Gurgaon.