For Bala, (not his real name), the pain started as a minor discomfort in his right abdomen. As it got worse, he got really sweaty, cold and nauseous. He was unable to sit or lie down comfortably, and even walking was painful.
Eventually, he ended up in the emergency room, where a 5mm kidney stone was found to be the cause. It would take four days for the pain to subside.
A kidney stone is a hard object made of excess chemicals such as calcium, oxalate or uric acid in the urine. These can be treated with shockwave lithotripsy; ureteroscopy, which involves the insertion of a small telescope through the urethra; or percutaneous nephrolithotomy, where a scope is inserted through a small incision in the back.
Urine is made up of various waste materials. When there is too much waste in too little liquid, crystals begin to form. These attract other elements to form a mass that will keep getting larger unless it is passed out.
Usually, these wastes are eliminated from the urine by the kidneys. In most people, drinking enough fluids washes them out; otherwise, other chemicals in the urine stop a stone from forming.
The causes for kidney stones include not drinking enough water, obesity, and eating food with too much salt or sugar. Eating too much fructose may also increase the risk.
Symptoms include severe pain on either side of your lower back; a persistent stomach ache; blood in the urine; nausea or vomiting; dizziness, fever and chills; and urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
The kidney stone will start to hurt when it causes an infection or blockage, building rapidly to an excruciating point. In most cases, stones pass without damage, but usually not without a lot of pain.
Along with pain medication, the normal treatment is to drink a lot of water as doctors prefer to let the stones pass without surgery. One may also be given medication to help make the urine less acidic.
But if the stone is too large, blocks the flow of urine, or presents an infection, it needs to be removed.
The diagnosis of a kidney stone involves looking at a patient’s medical history, a physical examination, and imaging tests. Bala’s doctor wanted to know the exact size and shape of the kidney stone, which can be determined through an X-ray or CT scan from the kidneys to the bladder.
The scans are used to determine which treatment option is most suitable, and will also be used to monitor the patient’s stone before and after treatment.
With the test results, the doctor will decide how to treat the stone. The health of one’s kidneys will be evaluated through further blood and urine tests. The patient’s overall health and the size and location of the stone will be considered.
Kidney stones increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Those who have developed a stone are at a 50% risk of developing another one within five to seven years.
Bala is sharing his story to encourage people to see a doctor at once if they experience any of the above symptoms. Drinking lots of water when playing sports or exercising can prevent dehydration and stop a stone from forming.
He also advises those who have previously had a stone to see a dietician to change their eating habits.
TELEME Healing Life Stories is a collection of inspirational stories of how ordinary people triumph over their health conditions and recover to lead a healthier life after that. Feel free to email [email protected] to share your story.
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