Kidney Stones Specialists in Maharashtra
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated, allowing these substances to crystallis…
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What is Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated, allowing these substances to crystallise and clump together. Stones can vary greatly in size, from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball, and while small stones may pass unnoticed through the urinary tract, larger stones can become lodged and cause intense pain as they attempt to move through the narrow ureter. The condition is more common in hot climates like much of India, where inadequate fluid intake combined with sweating leads to more concentrated urine and a higher risk of stone formation. Kidney stones frequently recur once a person has experienced one, making identification of the specific stone type and underlying risk factors important for long-term prevention. Most stones pass on their own with adequate hydration and pain control, though larger or obstructing stones may require a procedure for removal.
Moderate
Common — a frequent urological condition in India, with hot climate and dietary patterns contributing to elevated rates
No
Causes of Kidney Stones
Caused by concentrated urine allowing minerals such as calcium, oxalate, or uric acid to crystallise and form stones, most often due to inadequate fluid intake combined with dietary factors. Risk factors include a diet high in salt, animal protein, or oxalate-rich foods, obesity, certain metabolic conditions, family history of kidney stones, and some medications. Hot climates that increase fluid loss through sweating and reduce urine output further raise the risk of stone formation.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Severe pain in the back or side that often radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, blood in the urine, nausea and vomiting, frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, fever and chills if infection is present
Treatment & Types of Kidney Stones in Maharashtra
Small stones are often managed with increased fluid intake and pain relief medication to allow natural passage, sometimes supported by medication that relaxes the ureter to ease passage. Larger or obstructing stones may require procedures such as shock wave lithotripsy to break the stone into smaller fragments, or minimally invasive surgical techniques to remove the stone directly. Identifying the stone composition through analysis helps guide dietary and medical measures to reduce the risk of future stones.
Kidney stones are classified by their mineral composition: calcium oxalate stones are the most common type, followed by uric acid stones, more common in people with gout or high-purine diets, struvite stones, associated with urinary tract infections, and cystine stones, caused by a rare inherited condition. Identifying the specific type through stone analysis is important because prevention strategies differ significantly between them.
Nephrology Specialists in Maharashtra (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my kidney stone pass on its own?
Small stones, generally under about 5mm, often pass on their own with increased fluid intake and pain control, while larger or obstructing stones may need a procedure to break up or remove them.
Are kidney stones likely to come back?
Yes, kidney stones frequently recur once a person has had one, which is why identifying the stone type and specific dietary triggers is important for long-term prevention.
What foods should I avoid if I've had calcium oxalate stones?
Moderating intake of oxalate-rich foods such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate, along with reducing excess salt and animal protein, can help lower the risk of forming new calcium oxalate stones.
How much water should I drink to prevent kidney stones?
Drinking enough water throughout the day to keep urine consistently dilute, generally at least 2 to 3 litres daily, is one of the most effective prevention measures, especially important in hot climates.
What is shock wave lithotripsy?
It's a non-invasive procedure that uses focused sound waves to break a larger stone into smaller fragments that can then pass more easily through the urinary tract, commonly used for stones too large to pass on their own.