Kidney stones are a pressing health problem suffered by millions around the world and create sharp pain, discomfort, and distress. Stones are often thought of as a fleeting concern- something that requires immediate attention and agony. However, stones may entail much deeper underlying issues than what meets the eye.
One of the issues of growing concern among medical practitioners is the relationship between kidney stones and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) – a grave long-term affliction which can lead to complete renal failure if left unattended.
This blog looks into the impact of stones on kidney functional efficiency, mechanisms inciting progression towards chronic disease, and what actions can be taken by the patients to foster healthy renal function.
Knowledge Base on Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard mineral or salt deposits that form within the kidney and may range greatly in size from molecules to sizable stones. Stones may affect any part of the urinary tract including the kidney or the bladder.Here are the most notable types of kidney stones:
• Calcium stones (most common, usually calcium oxalate)
• Uric acid stones
• Struvite stones (related to infections)
• Cystine stones (rare, genetic)
Smaller stones typically pass with little to no symptoms. However, larger stones may impede the flow of urine, resulting in excruciating pain, infection, or possibly even damage to the kidney.
Do Kidney Stones Increase the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease?
The brief answer: yes, it can. Research shows that having kidney stones is at least mildly associated with developing CKD later in life. While not every patient will develop kidney disease, certain circumstances increase the chance.
The following explains how kidney stones may lead to chronic kidney damage:
1. Prevent Urine From Flowing Freely
Having a stone within the urinary tract can cause excess pressure to build within the kidney. Over time this can damage very sensitive kidney tissue, reducing its function. Even a few days of constant blockage can result in permanent harm to the body.
2. Repeat Infections
Stones, especially struvite stones, often come hand in hand with repeated UTIs. Chronic infections may lead to scarred kidney tissues, which significantly affect their ability to filter blood effectively.
3. Inflammation and Scarring
The formation of kidney stones induces inflammation that may result in fibrosis (scarring) of the kidneys. This scarring continues to worsen kidney functional capacity and contributes to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
4. Stone Recurrence
Individuals with one stone are prone to have multiple stones in the future. Recurrent stones over time increase the kidney’s functional damage.
Risk Factors That Worsen the Link
Some of the conditions that are prone to synergistically increase the risk of getting kidney stones and subsequently developing CKD are:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Known family history of kidney disease
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Poor fluid intake
Also, certain uncommon genetic disorders such as cystinuria and primary hyperoxaluria may increase stone forming tendencies and risk of kidney failure when not treated.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Although a kidney stone might not completely damage your kidneys at one go, keep an eye out for symptoms that could suggest something worse is on the horizon. A few signs that may suggest your kidneys are under some level of pain or strain are:
- Chronic pain in the lower back or flanks
- Presence of blood in urine (hematuria)
- Recurrent infections in the urinary bladder
- Reduced production of urine
- Increased fluid retention (edema) in the ankle and legs
- Low levels of energy and chronic tiredness
If you have any of these symptoms after suffering from a kidney stone, consult a qualified urologist or nephrologist without delay.
Preventing Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease
The following steps are suggested for those who have a history of kidney stones or have an increased tendency to develop them to help maintain kidney health:
1. Hydration
Drinking fluids is the most important factor in preventing the formation of stones. Increase your water intake to 2-3 liters a day unless contradicted to by your physician.
2. Dietary Adjustments
Greater or fewer amounts of particular food might also be required like:
- Lower your sodium intake, if applicable.
- Restrict foods high in oxalates, such as nuts, spinach, and beets, if calcium oxalate stones are formed.
- Decrease consumption of animal proteins.
- Increase consumption of citrates by incorporating foods such as lemons or oranges.
3. Routine Follow-Ups
Having kidney stones already means you should keep an eye on your blood pressure, analyzing your urine, as well as imaging through a means of Ultrasound or CT scans can preemptively help identify issues that can potentially damage your kidneys.
4. Control Other Factors
Having well-managed diabetes and controlling hypertension along with obesity has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of chronic stone formation and damage to the kidneys.
5. Medications
Formulating a plan based on the type of test stones you have on your metabolic evaluations, particular medications may assist in staving stones from forming.
Treatment plans to preserve kidney functionality
If stones are posing risk for obstruction, infection, or damage that is recurring, extracting the stone immediately is essential so that mean long-term problems do not occur as a result.
If stones are of greater or medium size than their location, they can be treated by the following:-
– RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) – this is the use of a flexible scope with little incisions.
– Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) – a method where sound waves break stones into smaller pieces.
– Ureteroscopy (URS) – this is the use of a thin scope that is passed through the urethra to either remove or break the stone.
– Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) – Surgical removal for larger stones.
In pursuing these goals we try not only relieve the symptoms, but also assist in helping sustain functionality for the kidneys in the long-run.
Closing Thoughts
If left untreated, kidney stones can be a painful inconvenience. They can affect your health in the long run. Getting the condition diagnosed as early as possible, getting the treatment done, changing lifestyle where necessary, and monitoring conditions helps in preventing chronic kidney disease.
The best step to take if you have experienced kidney stones, or are worried about your kidney is to consult a specialist.
Dr. Deepanshu Gupta is a well-known urologist who treats, diagnoses, and prevents the formation of kidney stones and other related issues. Under his care, patients do not only get care for their kidney stones but also helped to maintain their long term health, because he uses state-of-the-art operating techniques that put the patient first.
Dr. Deepanshu Gupta, if you require help relating to taking care of your kidney, has the support and expertise that one would require. Book a call today!