Urolithiasis complaints. How to treat urolithiasis at home? General urine analysis

Find out the symptoms and treatment of urolithiasis in women. What are the features compared to urolithiasis in men? The choice of treatment method for urolithiasis: surgical or conservative, depends on the types and sizes of stones.

Symptoms and treatment of urolithiasis in women

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of urolithiasis in women depend on the size of the stones formed in the urinary system. Patients complain of malaise, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes loss of appetite. Patients are greatly bothered by burning and pain when passing urine.

The urge to urinate often becomes more frequent, but either there is no urine at all, or it is released in negligible quantities.

Periodic increases in temperature are also characteristic. At laboratory examination is discovered increased level leukocytes and “rods”, on the face all the signs of acute inflammatory process. Subsequently, stabbing, cutting pain occurs in the lumbar region.

Sometimes their intensity is so great that it is necessary to resort to the introduction of narcotic analgesics. As a rule, this happens during the passage of a stone through the ureter.

The most important distinguishing symptom of the disease is regular pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, radiating to the labia.

It varies in intensity, but never goes away completely. Attacks of renal colic during the passage of stones last from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

When examining the patient, a positive Pasternatsky sign is always found on the affected side. It is determined by tapping the edge of the palm in the area of ​​the kidneys. When palpated with both hands, they also reveal painful sensations in the affected kidney.

The stones are in renal pelvis, an attack of colic passes after the released element passes the ureter and descends into bladder Large stones block the ureter and require immediate medical attention.

Urine tests reveal a large number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, salts (oxalates, phosphates, urates), as well as protein. In severe cases, when stones pass large sizes, urine turns red. This occurs as a result of damage to the paths excretory system body.

Drugs to treat the disease

If an attack of renal colic develops, the patient is prescribed bed rest. Warmth applied to the lumbar region, general acceptance hot bath. Prescribed intravenous or intramuscular injection antispasmodics, which promotes the passage of stones from the ureter.

These include:

• no-shpa,
• baralgin,
• baralgetas,
• maxigan.

To relieve pain, the following is administered intramuscularly:

• voltaren,
• dicloran,
• analgin with papaverine.

The kidneys consist of pelvis and calyces, and it is in them that stones are formed. When trying to get out, large specimens block the passage. This process complicates, and in severe cases makes it impossible, the outflow of urine, and also causes mechanical trauma to the mucous membrane.

As a result, hydronephrosis develops (urine literally swells the kidney) and a severe inflammatory process. There is a need to administer antibiotics (antibacterial therapy).

Before using them, it is necessary to culture the urine for sterility, as well as for microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics. Based on the results obtained, the doctor prescribes treatment.

Anti-inflammatory drugs of the cephalosporin series are used:

• ceftriaxone,
• cefatoxime,
• emcef,
• cephalexin,
• cefradine,
• cefuroxime

For pyelonephritis, drugs that enhance microcirculation are prescribed:

• trental,
• pentoxifylline,
• agapurin.

Nitrofurins:

• furazolidone,
• furadonin,
• furagin.

Sulfonamides:

• urosulfan,
• biseptol,
• bactrim,
• etazol.

For the purpose of prevention, it is prescribed medicines from herbs canephron, trinephron, cystone and others.

Causes of urolithiasis in women

Each sick woman has her own unfavorable factors which contributed to the formation of stones in the urinary system. They are external (exogenous), internal (endogenous) and local (specifically in the kidneys).

Among the external reasons are:

• harmful effects of climate on the body (dehydration during heat, vitamin D deficiency, lack of sunlight,
• dietary errors, consumption of large amounts of spicy and sour food, which contributes increased acidity urine,
• sedentary lifestyle,
• work in hazardous work (hard work) physical work, hot workshops in factories, constant contact with pesticides, fertilizers and other dangerous chemicals),
• drinking water with large amounts of calcium salts.

A number of chronic diseases (internal causes) lead to the formation of kidney stones:

• Hyperparathyroidism, increased secretion of hormone by the parathyroid glands. They are located around the thyroid gland. As a result, the exchange of calcium and phosphorus is disrupted, which leads to the formation of stones.
• Chronic processes in the stomach and intestines (peptic ulcer of the duodenum, as well as stomach, gastritis, colitis).
• Injuries with bone damage.
• Insufficient production of enzymes (enzymopathy).
• Liver disorders.
• Hereditary predisposition.

Local causes of stone formation include:

• Hydronephrosis, urine retention in the kidney, which leads to its expansion and complete violation assigned function. It can be congenital, as a result of developmental anomalies, or acquired.
• Inflammation in the kidneys (acute or chronic form pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, nephritis, etc.).
• Prolapse of the kidney (nephroptosis).

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General signs of disease for all types of stones

Women get sick less often than men. Almost 70% of cases have coral-shaped stones (calculi), sizes ranging from a millimeter to a couple of centimeters. This is the most severe form of the disease, since such stones are very difficult to pass, bringing severe pain from ruptures of the mucous membrane of the ureters.

The asymptomatic nature of the disease is very rare.

The diagnosis in such cases is made after ultrasound examination, to which the patient was referred for a completely different reason.

Signs of urolithiasis in women:

• Pain in the lower back on both sides or one side.
• Frequent visits to the toilet, pain when emptying the bladder.
• The urine produced is cloudy and contains blood.
• Blood pressure increases.
• Body temperature jumps from 38 to 40 degrees.
• Soreness of the labia.

Surgical and conservative treatment methods

Treatment of urolithiasis in women is carried out conservatively or surgically. It all depends on the severity of the course, the location and number of stones, as well as the neglect of the disease.
The question of stone removal is often raised. This can be done using different methods.
TO surgical methods treatments include:

• A conventional strip surgery, the surgeon opens the abdominal cavity and removes the stones.
• Gentle surgical intervention using a laparoscope (trocars are inserted through minimal incisions, these are special surgical instruments and the stone is removed). Patients recover after such treatment much faster than with strip intervention.
• Crushing stones using a shock wave (external lithotripsy) is the best and, of course, expensive option for getting rid of stones. In this case, absolutely no cuts are made. Under X-ray or ultrasound control, a shock wave is applied to the stone, which destroys the stones.
• Transurethral methods. It is carried out using a thin metal tube with a fixed video camera and lighting. It is inserted into the urinary canal, opening access to the stone.

Several crushing methods are used:

• Using a laser, pneumatic instrument, ultrasound and under the control of the surgeon's eye, the stone is destroyed in the ureter. This process is called contact ureterolithotripsy.
• Crushing a stone in the renal pelvis (pyelolithotripsy).

It is also possible to remove stones through the skin (percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy). To do this, a hole one centimeter in diameter is created in the lower back, between the skin and the renal pelvicalyceal complex. Then large and coral-shaped stones are removed through it.

Diet, principles of nutrition in pathology

The diet for urolithiasis in women depends on what salts are included in the stones. With oxalates, products that increase gastric secretion are contraindicated:

• spices,
• salt,
• rich broth.

Limit consumption of foods containing oxalates:

• sorrel,
• spinach,
• legumes,
• chocolate,
• cocoa.

In cases with urate and oxalate stones, an active lifestyle is recommended. A diet low in purines is necessary. Exclude products of animal origin:

• kidneys,
• liver,
• brain,
• grilled meat,
• fish.

Sorrel, spinach, radishes, beans, peas, beans, and lentils are contraindicated. In the absence of edema and hypertension It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids because large amounts are excreted in the urine. uric acid.

Patients with phosphate inclusions are difficult to treat. It is necessary to maintain acidity in the urine. For this purpose, limit the consumption of fruits and vegetables. It is strongly recommended to limit drinking regime. It is necessary to include in the diet:

• oat groats,
• boiled meat and fish,
• oil,
• eggs,
• flour dishes.

Methods for diagnosing urolithiasis in women

If you experience symptoms suspicious of urolithiasis, you must urgently contact a specialist who can diagnose the disease and prescribe therapy.

To diagnose this disease, a doctor mandatory will recommend taking blood and urine tests, undergoing an ultrasound and computed tomography, and in some cases retrograde pyelography. All these methods will be able to provide him with information about ongoing processes.

With an exacerbation of urethrolithiasis, an increased number of leukocytes will be observed in blood tests, which leads to a shift in left side leukocyte formula, as well as toxic granularity of neutrophils and high ESR. Urinalysis performed on special test cards is often characterized by hematuria, and in combination with infection – leukocyturia. The appearance of protein (0.03-0.3 g/l), single cylinders and salts is also observed. Attention should also be paid to the state of the pH environment, which changes depending on the chemical composition of the stones formed. So, for stones with urate crystals, the pH environment will be acidic, oxalate crystals will be slightly acidic, and phosphate crystals will be alkaline. An alkaline environment also indicates the presence of infection. To determine the pathogen, bacteriological urine culture is performed, which will help in choosing the right antibiotic.

Retrograde pyelography, performed using a special contrast agent injected through the urethra, reveals the level of blood pH and magnesium and calcium salts.

Other methods are capable of assessing the degree of development of the disease.

Treatment of urolithiasis with traditional methods

To cure this disease, both medical and traditional methods.

Traditional methods are a complement to the traditional treatment of urolithiasis. This technique recommends using not pills, but special diets, baths, herbal infusions and infusions, etc. The essence of the methods is to normalize the pH environment and other components of urine, therefore, before using them in practice, you should find out what type of stones were found in the organ. The choice of products for diets and herbs for decoctions and infusions depends on this.

1. Oxalate (the most common, obtained from the salt and ether precipitates of oxalic acid) - a watermelon-bread diet that can enhance kidney function, for 1-2 weeks, drinking hernia tincture, corn silk, bearberry and knotweed three times after eating (the infusion is made from 1 tbsp of these herbs, poured in 1 tbsp of boiling water), the use of a warm bath, which relieves spasms and dilates the urinary tract. It is recommended to take cabbage, potatoes, apples (in moderate doses), cereals, pears and cucumbers. Limiting the consumption of cocoa, chocolate, legumes, fruits with large amounts of vitamin C, fatty meat and fish.
2. Phosphate - drinking decoctions of “sour” fruits, herbs, for example, rosehip roots. To prepare the decoction 8 tbsp. dry roots are poured with boiling water (V = 1 l.) and heated over fire for a quarter of an hour. After this, another 1 liter of water is diluted and 1/2 tbsp is taken. 3 times a day. Taking teas with madder, horsetail, knotweed, bearberry and lingonberry leaves is also very effective. It is recommended to eat cereals, cabbage, fish, lean meat, currants and fruits. Limit the consumption of cocoa, chocolate, legumes, spices, coffee and alcohol.
3. Urate - taking oat infusion and decoction of strawberry leaves, currants and knotweed herb (taken in a 2:1 ratio). The latter is taken in 2 tbsp. before every meal. Decoctions with mint, birch and lingonberry leaves, and dill seeds will also help. Recommended for consumption are cereals and white cabbage. Foods such as cauliflower, beans, coffee and cocoa should not be consumed.

For all cases, the course of treatment herbal infusions and decoctions should not exceed 1 month. In addition, all proposed recipes are used under constant supervision of the attending physician. It should also be taken into account that in the presence of large stones, traditional methods, on the contrary, can lead to deterioration of health, since they can block the outflow of urine.

Possible consequences of urolithiasis

Urolithiasis must be treated, otherwise it can cause unpleasant and dangerous consequences. If the disease “starts”, complications develop such as:

1. Hydronephrosis, in which the urinary tract is blocked, and as a result, the outflow of urine is impaired, which increases the pressure in the renal pelvis, atrophying their tissue.
2. Nephrosclerosis causes shrinkage of the kidneys due to the process of replacing renal tissue with connective tissue occurring in them. All this causes the development of pyelonephritis.
3. Renal failure and purulent melting of the kidney.
4. Acute cystitis with characteristic inflammatory processes.

Prevention of urolithiasis

The most common reason The appearance of this disease in women is hypothermia. Therefore, you need to wear long sweaters and jackets to keep your lower back area warm, and also avoid miniskirts.

It is also necessary to carefully select food products to exclude the presence of preservatives and dyes. Eat right, following an individual diet. Consume alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as well as canned food, as little as possible.

It is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of fluid (average daily norm about 3l). Selection and reception mineral water monitored by a doctor, as it can be useful for some types of stones, but harmful for others.

To prevent the disease, it is advisable to use vitamin-mineral complexes, including magnesium, calcium and B vitamins. Unlike vitamins, it is necessary to limit the consumption of certain medications that can affect stone formation (for example, aspirin).

If symptoms of the disease occur, under no circumstances should you self-medicate, you must go to a specialist as quickly as possible.

Remember that urolithiasis is more dangerous for women than for men, as it can lead to infertility.

Urolithiasis in women - symptoms and treatment

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The name of one of the common diseases in urology, caused by the formation of stones in the kidneys and bladder, is urolithiasis. Urolithiasis occurs both in young people and in old age. The number of stones is not constant, but varies from one to several. The size also changes: from a grain of sand to several centimeters.

General information

The diagnosis of ICD in adults is made in 35-40% of all urological visits. Men are 3 times more likely to develop stones than women. Kidney and urinary stones occur in the working population. In elderly people and children, the course of urolithiasis as a primary pathology is rare. The older generation is characterized by the formation of uric acid, while the younger generation - protein. But in most cases there are mixed species stones. They are usually localized in the right kidney. But from 10 to 18% of cases are attributed to bilateral kidney damage due to urolithiasis.

ICD classification

IN international classification diseases of the 10th revision have been allocated a separate group. According to the classification, the forms of urolithiasis are divided into:

• According to location:
  • ureters (ureterolithiasis);
  • kidneys (nephrolithiasis);
  • bladder (cystolithiasis).
• Types of stones for urolithiasis:
  • oxolates;
  • phosphates;
  • urates;
  • cystine stone.
• According to the process:
  • primary;
  • relapse.

Causes of the disease

Inflammation of the kidneys can cause illness.

The specific causes of urolithiasis that provoke the development of urolithiasis have not been determined; many factors influence the formation of the pathology. But there are circumstances according to which there are two main causal factors:

• Hereditary tendency to metabolic disorders.
• Inflammatory process in the kidneys or urinary tract.

Metabolic disorders lead to the development side effects- stones, sand.

Risk factors

It is wrong to apply the above reasons to every case. They will not work without predisposing factors, which are sometimes created by a person independently. Risk factors are divided into two types:

• External (exogenous):
  • excessive consumption of foods containing carbohydrates, proteins and salts;
  • difficult working conditions;
  • lack of vitamins;
  • geographical factor (climatic conditions).
• Internal (endogenous):
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • diseases of the stomach, intestines;
  • renal pathologies.

Symptoms and course of urolithiasis in women and men

Women experience pain in the genital area.

Signs of urolithiasis in people - painful sensations. The location of the pain indicates where the stone is located. Urolithiasis in men and women is caused by pathological formations in organs urinary system. They are the same, the symptoms of urolithiasis are similar. The difference is in the distribution of pain. In women, pain is felt in the genital area, and in men, pain is also felt in the bladder.

Symptoms of urolithiasis:

• pulling feeling in the lower back;
• colic in the lower back;
• pain when going to the toilet;
• , hematuria;
• constipation;
• swelling on the face, limbs;
• increased body temperature;
• increased blood pressure.

Symptoms of urolithiasis are conventionally divided into types, depending on the focus of the pathology:

• The stone is in the kidney, the person feels a pulling sensation in the lower back. The color of the urine changes and traces of blood may appear. Every movement increases the pain.
• Stone in the channel. Urine accumulates in the kidney, pain moves down the abdomen. If the duct is completely blocked, the pressure of urine on the organ increases, and renal colic develops.
• The calculus got into the bladder and got stuck there. are felt frequent urge to urination, pulls the lower abdomen, radiates to the leg, groin. Blood may appear in the urine, which is characterized by a change in its color.

Urolithiasis in children

The childhood form of the disease does not have clinical symptoms, therefore, the disease can be diagnosed using a laboratory method.

The likelihood of developing urolithiasis in children is small - about 20 cases per 100 thousand. main reason- disturbance of the urination process associated with abnormal development of the urinary organs. When urine stagnates, salts crystallize, and sediment, sand, and stones appear. In pediatric pathology, oxalates and phosphates are more often detected.

A characteristic feature of childhood disease is the absence of clinical symptoms. The child does not explain well where it hurts, how it hurts, so an attack of urolithiasis is accompanied by crying. Vomiting, constipation, or upset may occur. The older the baby, the more pronounced the pain attack is.

Urolithiasis and pregnancy

Kidney stones are uncommon during pregnancy. Pregnancy is not a risk factor for the development of pathology, and ICD is not an indicator for its termination. Urolithiasis in women occurs before pregnancy, and interesting situation only aggravates the situation. Dilated ureters in pregnant women cause a more pronounced clinical picture.

What is the danger of the disease?

Complications of the disease are very dangerous for the body.

Urolithiasis of the kidneys and bladder is complex and dangerous. It can cause problems in the form of kidney failure and loss of the kidney, and the blocked duct interferes with the flow of urine. Failure to correct the disorder in a timely manner may result in the destruction of the organ. There are cases when developing urolithiasis turns into a chronic disease (pyelonephritis), which is also dangerous for the development of renal failure.

Diagnostics

The fact that urolithiasis has appeared in the kidneys or urinary tract becomes clear by characteristic features. To understand what an organ looks like and confirm the stages of the disease and make a diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods are needed:

• general analysis of urine and blood;
• radiography;
• Ultrasound of the kidneys, urinary ducts and urethra;
• urography (if necessary);
• CT scan.

Conservative therapy

Effective treatment of the disease is possible using complex therapy.

Treating the disease is not an easy task. Modern methods Treatments are aimed at alleviating pain, relieving inflammation, and eliminating small stones. The choice of method depends on the type of stone, its location and changes in the structure of the organ. Conservative therapy includes:

• general strengthening procedures;
• diet;
• drug therapy;
• sanatorium treatment.

Drug treatment

Divided into the following groups:

• Antibiotics. Mandatory point of therapy. The antibiotic is selected individually by the urologist.
• Painkiller medicine. Medicines relieve pain during an attack of renal colic (Tempalgin, Baralgin and others).
• Antispasmodics. They remove the cause of the spasm, relax the walls of the ureter, facilitating the passage of the stone (Papaverine, No-shpa, Diprofen).
• Medicines to help pass the stone. The purpose depends on the size, composition, location (Furosemide).
• Drugs that dissolve stone. Selection of products based on the composition of the stone (“Fitolysin”, “Solimok”, “Urodan” and others, as well as dietary supplements - “Prolit”, “Litovit”).

Target drug therapy prevent exacerbation of urolithiasis, alleviate the general condition of a person, relax the muscles and walls of the ureter (kidney), dissolve possible stones and painless removal. Special attention are used for the treatment of urolithiasis in women during pregnancy, because many medications are dangerous to take during this period.

Diet is an important aspect of therapy

You cannot choose a diet at random. Nutrition is determined after determining the composition of the stone.

The doctor will prescribe a diet after determining the composition of the stone.

TO dietary nutrition It's important to approach it thoughtfully. Nutrition for urolithiasis may or may not have any effect. It all depends on metabolic disorder, which formed a certain composition of stones. Principles of dietary nutrition:

• be sure to drink 2-2.5 liters of pure water per day;
• providing energy-balanced nutrition.

To select the right products, you need to determine the chemical composition of the stone:

• Urates indicate excess uric acid, so exclude legumes, alcohol, and limit meat consumption. It is important to adhere to a dairy-plant diet.
• Oxalates are excess oxalic acid. Foods enriched with acid (spinach, sorrel, beets, chocolate, tea) are removed from the diet. Reduce consumption of tomatoes, beef, chicken. The menu includes foods enriched with vitamin B6.
• Phosphates. Reduce the amount of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, alcohol, salt. Include foods enriched with calcium in your diet: cottage cheese, nuts, hard cheese.

ICD manifests itself in all age categories without gender characteristics, so both men and women need to follow the diet. Diet for urolithiasis in women is not only a method of treatment, but also prevention (it will prevent the creation of new ones and reduce existing stones). Diet for urolithiasis in men is no less than important stage, but it is much more difficult. It is difficult for men to limit and control themselves.

What causes urolithiasis?

Urolithiasis disease occurs when changes occur in the normal balance of water, salts, minerals and other substances in the urine. The most common cause of urolithiasis is lack of water. Try to drink enough water so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water (about 8-10 glasses per day). Some people develop kidney stones as a result of another condition, such as gout.

How to diagnose urolithiasis?

Urolithiasis can be detected if you go to the doctor or emergency room with pain in the abdomen or side. The doctor will ask you a few questions about your lifestyle and the pain you are experiencing. He will then perform an examination and refer you for an imaging procedure, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, to look at your kidneys or urinary tract.

Additional tests may be needed if you have more than one stone or if you have a family history of kidney stones. To determine the cause of the disease, your doctor may order a blood test or ask you to collect urine for 24 hours. This will help your doctor determine whether you will develop stones in the future.

Urolithiasis can be painless. In this case, you will know about the stones if the doctor finds them while testing for another disease.

How to treat urolithiasis?

In most cases, the doctor will advise you to take home treatment. Painkillers may be needed. You will have to drink more water and other liquids to avoid dehydration. The doctor may prescribe you medications that will help the stones pass.

If the stone is too large to pass on its own, or if it is stuck in the urinary tract, you will need other treatments. Out of ten cases of urolithiasis, one or two will require additional treatment.

The most common treatment for urolithiasis is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWLT). DEVLT uses a shock wave to break the stone into small pieces. These fragments can be passed out of the body in urine. Sometimes the doctor will remove the stones or place a small plastic tube (stent) in the ureter to keep it from closing while the stones pass.

How to prevent urolithiasis?

If you have had kidney stones before, it is likely that you will get it again. You can try to prevent stones by drinking enough water so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water, about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. You may have to give up some foods. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to prevent stone formation.

Treatment of urolithiasis

To pass small stones, most people only need to take painkillers and drink enough fluids.

Treatment of urolithiasis for the first time

If the doctor believes that the stone will pass on its own and you can cope with the pain, then he may suggest home treatments:

• Using painkillers. Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve your pain. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a stronger remedy.
• Absorbing enough fluid. You will have to drink a lot of water and other liquids to help the stone pass.

The doctor may prescribe medications that will help the body remove the stone.

If you experience unbearable pain, or stones are blocking your urinary tract, or you have an infection, your doctor will suggest lithotripsy or surgery to remove the stone.

Prevention of subsequent diseases

If you have already had urolithiasis, there is a high chance that you will get it again. Almost half of all people who have had stones will develop new stones within 7 years unless action is taken.

You can prevent kidney stones by drinking more fluids and changing your diet. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about whether you need changes. Your doctor may also suggest medications to prevent stone formation if you have risk factors such as a family history of the disease.

What to think about

You need more intensive treatment for urolithiasis if problems continue and you:

• Urinary tract infections.
• Renal dysfunction.
• Weakened immune system.
• Transplanted kidney.

Prevention

If you have already had urolithiasis, there is a high chance of getting it again. But you can take a few steps to prevent this:

v Drink more fluids. Try to drink enough water so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water (about 8-10 glasses per day). Gradually increase the amount of liquid, perhaps adding one glass per day, until the amount reaches 8-10. Gradual increase will give the body time to get used to large amounts of fluid. There is enough water when your urine is clear or light yellow color. If it is dark yellow, then you are not drinking enough fluid. If you have kidney, heart or liver disease and your fluid intake is limited, talk to your doctor before increasing your dose.

v Change your diet. This may help depending on what caused the kidney stones. Your doctor may need more tests before deciding whether changing your diet will help prevent stones from recurring.

Medicines

If new stones appear despite increased fluid intake and diet changes, your doctor may prescribe medications to dissolve the stones or prevent new ones from forming.

Home treatment for urolithiasis

Home treatment involves taking more fluids and painkillers - sometimes this is the only thing needed to pass the stone.

Drink liquid

When a stone passes, you need to drink enough water so that your urine is light yellow or as light as water (about 8-10 glasses per day). If you have kidney, heart or liver disease and your fluid intake is limited, talk to your doctor before increasing your dose.

Take painkillers

Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve your pain. NSAIDs include aspirin and ibuprofen (as Motrin and Advil). If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a stronger remedy.

Medicines

Medicines that make it easier to pass stones

Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve your pain when a stone passes.

Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help your body pass the stone. Alpha blockers have proven that they can clear stones from the body faster without severe side effects. Ask your doctor if they are right for you.

Medicines to prevent stone formation

The type of medicines you take depends on the type of stones.

Calcium stones

Calcium stones are the most common type of stone. To prevent their formation you can take:

• Thiazides.
• Potassium citrate.
• Orthophosphate.

Uric acid stones

Only 5-10 out of 100 stones are composed of uric acid, by-product, which is excreted from the body in urine. To prevent their formation, you can take:

• Potassium citrate.
• Sodium bicarbonate.
• Allopurinol.

Cystine stones

Only a small percentage of stones are made up of a chemical called cystine. Medicines to prevent their formation:

• Potassium citrate.
• Penicillamine.
• Tiopronin.
• Captopril.

Mixed stones

Some mixed stones (staghorn stones) are formed due to frequent kidney infections. If you have mixed stones, you will need antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent new stones from forming. Surgery may be required to remove stones. Urease inhibitors can prevent the formation of new stones.

Operation

Surgery is rarely required to treat urolithiasis. Surgery is only needed if the stone is very large, is caused by an infection, is blocking the flow of urine from the kidneys, or is causing other problems such as heavy bleeding.

• In percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or nephrolithotripsy, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back. He then inserts an empty tube into the kidney and either removes (lithotomy) or breaks and removes (lithotripsy) the stone. This surgery may be necessary if other methods do not work or if the stone is very large.
• In open surgery, the surgeon cuts into the side to get to the kidneys. He then removes the stone.

If the kidney stones were caused by problems with the parathyroid gland, your doctor may recommend removing it (parathyroidectomy). This can prevent further education stones.

Other treatments

Other treatments for urolithiasis are more common than surgery. You may need one of these methods if you have severe pain, a stone is blocking your urinary tract, or if you have an infection. Possible options:

• External shock wave lithotripsy (ESWLT). ESWL uses a shock wave that travels easily through the body, but is strong enough to break the stone into small pieces. This is the most common procedure for treating urolithiasis.
• Ureteroscopy. The surgeon inserts a very thin camera (ureteroscope) into the urinary tract to the location of the stone and then uses an instrument to remove or break up and remove the stones. You may need a small hollow tube (urethral stent) that is placed in the ureter, keeps it from closing, and collects urine and stones. This procedure is used to remove stones that have passed from the kidneys to the ureters.

The stone treatment you need will depend on the size of the stone, its position in the urinary tract, and your health.

Causes

Urolithiasis is a consequence of a change in the normal balance of water, salts, minerals and other substances in the urine. How this balance changes determines the type of stones. Most stones are of the calcium type - they form when the level of calcium in the urine changes.

Factors influencing changes in urine balance:

• Insufficient amount of water. If you don't drink enough water, salts, minerals and other substances in your urine can combine and form stones. This is the most common cause of urolithiasis.
• Other diseases. Many diseases can affect the normal balance and cause the formation of stones. Examples of such diseases include gout and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.

Most often, urolithiasis occurs in families, where stones are found in several generations of family members.

IN in rare cases urolithiasis occurs due to the fact that parathyroid glands produce too much of the hormone, causing calcium levels to rise and possible education calcium type stones.

Symptoms

Urolithiasis begins in the kidneys. If stones remain in the kidneys, they usually do not cause pain. If they leave the body through the urinary tract (including the ureters, which connect the kidneys and bladder, or the urethra, which carries urine out of the body), their movement can cause:

• No symptoms if the stone is small enough.
• Sudden sharp pain, which spreads in waves. Urolithiasis can cause pain in the back, side, abdomen, groin or genitals. People who have had stones usually describe it as "the worst pain I've ever experienced."
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Blood in the urine (hematuria), which can be caused by either kidney stones or stones passing through the ureter.
• Frequent and painful urination, which happens due to stones in the ureters or after the stone has left the bladder and passes through the urethra. Painful urination can also be a result of a urinary tract infection.

Similar symptoms can also occur with appendicitis, hernia, ectopic pregnancy and prostate.

What's happening?

Urolithiasis begins with the formation of tiny crystals in the kidneys. When urine leaves the kidneys, it may carry this crystal out, or it may remain in the kidney. If the crystal remains in the kidney, other crystals will eventually attach to it, forming a large stone.

Most stones leave the kidneys and travel through the urinary tract while they are small enough to pass out of the body easily. In this case, no treatment is needed.

Larger stones may become lodged in the ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters). This can cause pain and possibly block the flow of urine to the bladder and out of the body. The pain may increase over 15-60 minutes until it becomes unbearable. The pain may subside when the stone no longer blocks the flow of urine, and usually goes away when the stone moves into the bladder. Large stones usually require treatment.

• The smaller the stone, the easier it is for it to leave the body on its own. Out of ten cases of urolithiasis, one or two will require additional treatment.
• The average time for a stone to pass is 1-3 weeks, and two-thirds of stones that pass on their own pass within four weeks of the first symptoms.
• In about half of people who suffer from kidney stones, the disease may return within seven years if preventive measures are not taken.

Urolithiasis can also cause other diseases:

• Increased risk of urinary tract infection or worsening of current inflammation.
• Kidney damage if stones block the flow of urine from both kidneys (or from one in people with one kidney). Most people with healthy kidneys Urolithiasis does not cause serious damage until the urinary tract has been completely blocked for 2 weeks or more.

Kidney stones are especially dangerous for people with one kidney, people with weakened immune systems, and people with a kidney transplant.

Urolithiasis during pregnancy

When urolithiasis occurs during pregnancy, your obstetrician and urologist will decide whether you need treatment. Treatment will depend on the stage of pregnancy.

What increases the risk?

Some risk factors (things that pose a threat) to urolithiasis increase the likelihood of the disease. Some of them can be controlled, while others cannot.

Risk factors that can be controlled:

Risk factors you can control:

• Amount of liquid drunk. The most common cause of urolithiasis is lack of water. Try to drink enough water so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water (about 8-10 glasses per day).
• Your diet. Diets high in fat, sodium, and oxalate-rich foods such as green vegetables increase the risk of kidney stones. If you think your diet may be a problem, make an appointment with a nutritionist and review your diet.
• Overweight . This can cause both insulin resistance and increased calcium in the urine, which increases the risk of urolithiasis.
• Medicines. Some medications, such as acetazolamide (Diamox) and indinavir (Crixivan), can cause kidney stones.

Risk factors that cannot be controlled

Risk factors you cannot control:

• Gender and age.
• Men aged 30-50 years are more likely to suffer from urolithiasis.
• Women after menopause low level estrogen causes people to get sick more often. Women with removed ovaries are also susceptible to the disease.
• History of illness in the family.
• Frequent urinary tract infections.
• Other diseases, such as Crohn's disease, hyperparathyroidism or gout.
• Bowel surgery or gastric bypass surgery.
• Insulin resistance, which can result from diabetes or obesity.

When to see a doctor?

Consult your doctor immediately if you notice possible symptoms of urolithiasis:

• Sharp pain in the side, abdomen, groin or genitals. It can intensify in waves.
• Blood in urine.
• Signs of a urinary tract infection.

Contact your doctor if you have been diagnosed with urolithiasis and you are also concerned about other problems:

• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Acute pain in the side near the kidney.

Contact your doctor to find out if you need an examination if:

• You have been diagnosed with urolithiasis and require strong pain medication.
• The stone came out, even if the pain was not severe, or there was none. Save the stone and find out if it needs to be tested.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a “policy of waiting.” If you feel better, you do not need medical treatment. If you feel worse, talk to your doctor about what to do next.

If, on the advice of a doctor, you decide to wait for the stone to pass, then it can pass without additional treatment if you:

• You can control the pain with medications.
• You know how to find and collect loose stones.
• You do not see signs of infection, such as fever and chills.
• You can drink plenty of liquid.
• Do not experience nausea or vomiting.

Who to contact

If you need urgent help with acute pain in case of urolithiasis, you can call an ambulance.

Medical personnel who can diagnose and treat urolithiasis:

• Family doctor.
• Nurse.
• Paramedic.

Tests and analyzes

Most often, urolithiasis is diagnosed the first time you visit a doctor or emergency room with severe pain. Your doctor or emergency physician will ask you some questions and perform an examination. After the stone passes, your doctor may order additional testing to see if you will get stones again.

Tests for diagnosing urolithiasis

Your doctor may order one or more of the following tests to diagnose urolithiasis, look at where the stones are located, and determine whether they may be harming your urinary tract.

(sonogram) is best suited for pregnant women.

Tests to determine the type of stone

Determining the type of stone will help with the choice of treatment and measures to prevent the appearance of stones. The tests may include:

• Medical history and physical examination.
• Analysis of stones. Your doctor may ask you to collect the stones by passing the urine through a fine sieve or fine cloth. He will then determine the type of stone.
• A blood chemistry test to measure kidney function, levels of calcium, uric acid, phosphorus, electrolytes and other substances that may cause stones.
• Collect urine for 24 hours to measure volume, pH, calcium, uric acid, and other substances that may cause stones. This test can be done at home.

Urolithiasis ranks second among all urological diseases after inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract.

Urolithiasis disease is a chronic disease that is caused by metabolic disorders and is accompanied by the formation in the kidneys and urinary tract stones formed from constituents of urine. Its most common form is nephrolithiasis(kidney stone disease).

This common disease has existed since ancient times. The stones were found in ancient Egyptian mummies buried several thousand years ago. The disease is common in all countries of the world. In Russia, it is most often found in the Caucasus, the Volga region, the Urals, and the Arctic. Also common in the republics Central Asia and Transcaucasia.

People of working age from 20 to 50 years old are most often affected. Urolithiasis accounts for up to 30-40% of patients in urological hospitals.

Causes of the disease

Among the reasons are insufficient intake of vitamin A into the body - hypo- or vitamin deficiency.

Damage to the kidney tubules, leading to the formation of stones, is also observed with a lack of vitamin D, which, apparently, can explain the prevalence of urolithiasis in the Arctic, where there is a significant lack of vitamin D. However, here it is necessary to observe the “golden mean”, since in case of an overdose vitamin D, that is, long-term administration of large doses, the appearance of stones is possible. It has been established that the occurrence of urinary calculi, consisting of calcium salts of oxalic acid, is also influenced by a lack of diet, and, accordingly, a lack of vitamin B 6 in the body.

Another factor influencing toxic effect and leading to stone formation is primary hyperparathyroidism - a disease parathyroid glands, conditioned excess production parathyroid hormone and characterized by a pronounced disturbance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Hereditary factors also play a significant role in the occurrence of urolithiasis. genetic factors, causing the so-called urolithiasis - uric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, that is, simply put, the presence of a large amount of salts in the urine.

Primary pyelonephritis (kidney inflammation) often precedes stone formation. In the re-formation of stones, the role of inflammation in the kidneys plays a decisive role. However, one reason for the formation of stones is not enough; most often, this requires a combination of several reasons and the presence of predisposing factors, the main of which is a violation of the outflow of urine.

Thus , the process of formation of urinary stones is complex and multi-stage, and it is individual for each patient. Against the background of metabolic disorders, they have great importance general and local predisposing factors.

Types of kidney stones

Kidney stones can be single or multiple, their size varies from 0.1 to 10-15 cm or more, and their weight ranges from fractions of a gram to 2.5 kg or more. Their shape is varied, sometimes the stone fills the entire cavity of the kidney in the form of a cast; its shape resembles a coral and is called coral-shaped.

Ureteral stones- these are, as a rule, stones that have been displaced from the kidneys, have a variety of shapes, usually round or oblong, small in size, with a smooth or spiky surface, often single, and sometimes there are several pieces at once. When advancing, they can linger in places of physiological narrowing of the ureters.

Bladder stones are more common in men, since they have diseases more often than women, causing disturbance outflow of urine from the bladder, especially in old age. Such diseases include adenoma and prostate cancer, narrowing urethra(urethra), some diseases and injuries of the bladder and urethra, foreign bodies.

Stones can form either directly in the bladder itself or descend from the ureter. Usually they manifest themselves in the form of a sudden interruption of the urine stream, the appearance of pain in the bladder area, dysuria, blood in the urine when moving the body and decrease with rest.

Symptoms of urolithiasis

The main symptoms of urolithiasis are pain, blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, passage of stones, very rarely, absence of urine in the bladder with bilateral ureteral block. When inflammation of the kidneys occurs, an increase in temperature is noted, but most common symptom urolithiasis is pain. Depending on the size, location, shape and mobility of the stone, the pain can be sharp and dull, constant and periodically appearing. A large immobile kidney stone usually does not cause pain, or it is insignificant.

The most striking manifestation of a kidney or ureteral stone is renal colic - an attack of acute pain. Pain may be caused by movement of small stones or crystals urinary salts. Its occurrence can be sudden, without warning, against the background of complete health.

Such unbearable pain is remembered for a lifetime. The patient rushes about, cannot find a place for himself, behaves restlessly, neither lying nor sitting the pain decreases, he is ready to climb the wall. Usually localized in the right or left lumbar region, radiates to the iliac, groin, and external genitalia. The duration of pain varies from several minutes to a day or more, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bloating, and when an infection occurs, the temperature rises and chills appear. However, renal colic can be a symptom of other diseases.

An absolute sign of urolithiasis is the passage of stones in the urine. The ability of a stone to pass depends on its size, location, and tone of the urinary tract. The admixture of blood in the urine can be microscopic, that is, visible only under a microscope, and macroscopic, visible to the eye and is usually caused by stone damage to the mucous membrane of the kidneys, ureters, and also due to venous stagnation in the kidneys and the inflammatory process.

Associated inflammation in the kidneys and bladder is considered as a complication of urolithiasis. Diagnosis of ICD is based on the patient’s complaints, examination by a doctor, laboratory, ultrasound, instrumental and radiological data. The condition of patients in the absence of complications can be satisfactory.

We must always remember that urolithiasis is a chronic disease, and there is always a danger of relapse, that is, re-formation of the stone, therefore each patient should be under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment of urolithiasis

In most cases, treatment of urolithiasis is carried out using external shock wave lithotripsy ( DLT).

Usage medicines is also mandatory and is aimed at eliminating metabolic disorders and preventing recurrent stone formation after the DLT procedure.

• In the treatment of urolithiasis, phytomedicines are widely used to promote the rapid passage of stones and sand: Cyston, Phytolysin, Uralite.
• With the development of renal colic, analgesics and antispasmodics are used: Drotaverine, Baralgin; intramuscular administration of Diclofenac.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during the first few days after DLT.
• Essentiale, Lipostabil.
• Vitamin complexes: vitamin A and E.
• Antibacterial treatment is prescribed by the doctor after examination (urine culture for microflora). The following drugs can be used: Furadonin, Palin, Norfloxacin, Sulfonamides.

In case of development of pyelonephritis, medications that improve microcirculation are used: Pentoxifylline, as well as antibacterial drugs.

To prevent recurrent stone formation, the following medications are also used:

• Allopurinol.
• Citrate mixtures in the presence of urate formations - Blemaren. In some cases, drugs in this group contribute to the complete dissolution of stones.
• B vitamins, magnesium, potassium preparations (Asparkam).

Treatment with folk remedies

• Air. 20 g of calamus rhizomes per 100 ml of 40% alcohol are infused for 2 weeks, strained, squeezed, filtered, stored in a cool, dark place in a dark bottle. Take 15-30 drops 2-3 times a day before meals.
• Watermelon (rinds). Cut the watermelon rinds into small pieces, dry in the shade or oven, chop, add water (1:1), boil over low heat for 30 minutes, cool, strain. Drink 1-2 glasses 3-5 times a day before meals.
• Watermelon. Bulgarian traditional healers It is also advised to eat up to 2.5 kg of watermelon daily.
• Banks. To remove the stone, you can use cups that are placed on the patient below the place where pain is felt. Sometimes, to lower a stone, it is enough to do physical exercises or ride a horse. It is also good to use watering with chamomile, marshmallow, and sweet clover.
• Cowberry. Pour 2 tablespoons of lingonberries into 200 ml of boiling water, leave in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool, strain. Drink 1/2-1/3 glass 2-3 times a day. Store in the refrigerator for no more than a day.
• Grapes (juice). Grape juice acts like alkaline waters and is recommended for removing uric acid from the body and dissolving bladder stones. Besides, long-term treatment grape juice regulates blood pressure.
• Bird's knotweed. Pour 1-2 tablespoons of knotweed herb into 200 ml of boiling water and leave in a boiling bath for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, squeeze out the remainder, bring the volume to the original volume by adding boiled water. Drink 1/2-1/3 glass 2-3 times a day before meals. Store in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
• Larkspur. 20-30 g of larkspur grass, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, strain and drink 1/4-1/2 cup 3 times a day before meals; the infusion dissolves stones and sand in the bladder well.
• Figs. It is recommended to eat figs. Acts as a diuretic.
• Potato. Wash the potato tubers and cut them thin layer peels. Take 2 handfuls of peelings and cook until they are soft. Drain the broth and drink 2-3 times a day before meals, 1/2 cup.
• Stinging nettle. Brew 20 g of leaves or roots of stinging nettle with 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
• Corn (columns). Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of crushed corn columns with stigmas and steam for 2 hours. Drink 1/2 glass 3 times a day before meals for 6 months.
• Lemon (juice), vegetable juices. To dissolve kidney stones, drink the juice of 1 lemon with 1/2 cup hot water several times a day. At the same time, drink 1/2 cup of a mixture of carrot, beet, and cucumber juices 3-4 times a day for several days or weeks (depending on the size of the stones) until the sand and stones in the kidneys and bladder disappear.
• Small-leaved linden (color). Pour 2 tablespoons of small-leaved linden flowers into 400 ml of hot boiled water, boil for 10 minutes. Drink 1-2 glasses at night for pain in the urethra, sand in the urine.
• Onion. Chop the onion, fill 1/2 of the bottle with it, fill it to the top with alcohol or vodka, leave in a warm place or in the sun for 10 days, strain. Drink 1-2 tablespoons 2 times a day before meals.
• Wild mallow. This medicine prevents the formation of stones and pain during an attack: boil wild mallow leaves and put them in a decoction melted butter with honey and give it to the patient to drink. Bathing in hot sulfur waters is also beneficial for such patients.
• Carrots (seeds). To dissolve kidney stones and remove them, prepare an infusion of carrot seeds. Pour a tablespoon of seeds into a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 12 hours and strain. Drink 1/2 glass 5-6 times a day before meals.
• Carrots (juice). For kidney stones (oxalates, urates), as well as worms (pinworms), drink 50-100 ml of freshly prepared carrot juice 1-2 times a day 15 minutes before meals or on an empty stomach. Or 2 tablespoons of grated carrots, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water and cook in a sealed container over low heat for 30 minutes, then cool and strain. Take 1/3 cup of the decoction 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.
• Oats (compresses). Make hot compresses from a strong decoction of oat straw on the kidney area (straw warms up and expands the ureters, facilitating the passage of stones).
• Oats (tincture). Green oat grass is not inferior in healing power to grains. Its tincture has a diaphoretic, diuretic and antipyretic effect. Preparation of tincture: completely fill the bottle with the green plant crushed in a meat grinder, then fill it with vodka and infuse in a warm, dark place for 2-3 weeks. The contents are shaken periodically and then filtered. You need to take 20-30 drops per 1 tablespoon of water 3-4 times a day before meals.
• Olive oil, honey, lemon juice as tincture. 200 g each of vodka, olive oil, honey, lemon juice mix, leave for 10 days, pour into a dark glass bottle. Store in a cool, dark place. Shake well before use. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for 10-14 days, then do week break and repeat the course of treatment.
• Parsley. Take 1 teaspoon of finely chopped leaves and roots of fresh parsley, pour the mixture with 1 glass of boiling water and leave, covered, for 2-3 hours. Drink 1 glass of the prepared broth an hour before meals in 3 small sips. You can also drink an infusion of parsley roots alone, and in winter brew dried parsley instead of fresh.
• Moss clubmoss. Pour a teaspoon of clubmoss grass (twigs) with 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain. Drink 1/2 glass 2-3 times a day before meals for sand and stones in the bladder.
• Wheatgrass (root). Pour 1.5 tablespoons of crushed wheatgrass roots into 200 ml of cold water, leave for 12 hours in a cool place, strain. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over the raw materials, leave for 10 minutes, strain. Mix both infusions. Drink 100 ml 4 times a day. Use for rheumatism, gout, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, bladder disease, inflammation of the urethra, urinary retention and incontinence, disease respiratory tract, metabolic disorders.
• Dissolving stones. The dissolution of sand and stones in the urinary organs is facilitated by fresh onions and garlic, strawberries, a decoction of melon seeds in milk, black radish juice with honey or sugar, infusions and decoctions of beans, peas, infusions of leaves shepherd's purse, black currants, fruits (fresh and dry) of rose hips, rowan berries, dandelion roots, calamus rhizomes, corn silks, horsetail grass (contraindicated for nephritis). Pumpkin is recommended cabbage pickle and juice, barberry, strawberry, rose hip.
• Radish. Grind the black radish roots, leave them for 2-3 hours, then squeeze the juice out of them and drink 50 g 3 times a day. The course of treatment is up to 1 month.
• Collection No. 1. Combine the ingredients in the indicated quantities: madder root – 20 g; field steel grass, orthosiphon grass ( kidney tea), chamomile flowers, dill seeds – 15 g each; silver birch leaves, horsetail grass - 10 g each. Pour 10 g of raw material with a glass of boiled water in an enamel pan, close the lid, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, squeeze out the grounds. Increase the volume of the decoction boiled water up to 200 ml. Take 1/3-1/4 cup in small sips 3 times a day as a diuretic.
• Collection No. 2. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: blueberry leaf, bearberry leaf, corn stalks with stigmas - 3 parts each, bean leaves - 5 parts. Brew a tablespoon of the crushed mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave until cool. Take a glass 3 times a day for phosphate and carbonate stones and alkaline reaction urine.
• Collection No. 3. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: black currant leaf - 50 g, wild strawberry leaf - 30 g, mullein flowers - 15 g, cordate linden flowers - 20 g. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of water, boil for 20-25 minutes, strain. Take 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day after meals for kidney stones and cystitis.
• Collection No. 4. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: knotweed grass - 75 g, peppermint leaf - 10 g, common heather flowers - 10 g; Brew a tablespoon of the crushed mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10-12 hours in a warm place, boil for 5-7 minutes, cool and, after straining, take a tablespoon several times a day for oxalic acid stones.
• Collection No. 5. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: horsetail herb - 25 g, St. John's wort herb - 25 g, yarrow herb - 20 g, blueberry leaf - 20 g, common bean fruit leaves - 20 g; pour a tablespoon of raw material into a glass of cold water, leave for 6 hours, boil for 15 minutes, strain and take a glass a day for urate stones.
• Collection No. 6. Combine the herbs in the indicated proportions: bearberry leaf, horsetail herb, licorice root – 1 part each; caraway seeds, common juniper fruits – 2 parts each; Brew a tablespoon of the mixture like tea in a glass of boiling water, cool, strain and take a glass 1-2 times a day.
• Collection No. 7. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: lingonberry leaf - 20 g, black currant leaf - 30 g, wild strawberry grass - 50 g - pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave until cool, strain and take a glass 3 times a day.
• Collection No. 8. Tricolor violet herb - 30 g, horsetail herb - 30 g, St. John's wort herb - 25 g, dandelion herb - 25 g, buckthorn laxative root - 25 g; Brew a tablespoon of the crushed mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain and take a glass 3 times a day for phosphate and carbonate stones.
• Collection No. 9. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: licorice root – 25 g, lingonberry leaf – 25 g, warty birch leaf – 35 g, European ungulate herb – 15 g; Brew a tablespoon of the mixture like tea in a glass of boiling water, strain and take a glass in the morning and evening.
• Collection No. 10. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: greater celandine herb - 30 g, oregano herb - 20 g, barberry bark - 20 g; Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and take a glass 3 times a day for uric acid stones.
• Collection No. 11. Combine the ingredients in the indicated proportions: oregano herb - 5 g, coltsfoot leaf - 5 g, marshmallow root - 20 g; Pour two teaspoons of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave until cool and take 1/2 cup 3-4 times a day.
• Collection No. 12. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: leaves and roots of stinging nettle - 50 g, licorice root - 30 g; Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave until cool, strain and drink in 3 doses during the day for kidney stones with nephritis.
• Collection No. 13. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: sweet clover herb - 5 g, cinquefoil herb - 10 g, warty birch leaf - 10 g, horsetail herb - 15 g; pour two tablespoons of the mixture into 1.5 cups of boiling water, leave for 4-5 hours and take a tablespoon 4 times a day.
• Collection No. 14. Combine the ingredients in the indicated quantities: garden parsley herb - 20 g, bearberry leaves, common juniper fruits, field steelhead root, dandelion root - 15 g each; common anise fruits, shepherd's purse herb - 10 g each. Pour 10 g of raw material in an enamel bowl with 1 cup of boiling water, close the lid and heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, leave for 10 minutes, strain, squeeze out the grounds. Bring the volume of the decoction to 200 ml with boiled water. Take 1/2-1/3 cup warm 2-3 times a day.
• Celery (seeds). Mix celery seed powder and honey in equal parts by volume. Take this mixture 1 teaspoon 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals for kidney and urolithiasis, difficulty urinating.
• A mixture of vodka, honey, juices. To remove kidney stones, prepare a mixture of equal parts of honey, vodka, radish juice and beet juice. Mix everything thoroughly and place in a dark place for 3-4 days, shaking the contents periodically. Take 1 tablespoon of tincture per glass of boiling water. For one course of treatment, prepare 1 liter of the mixture. If necessary, the course can be repeated after 2 weeks.
• Pine (buds). Boil a teaspoon of Scots pine buds in a glass of water in a closed container. Leave for 2 hours. Drink in 3 doses throughout the day.
• Stalnik. Stew roots 20 g per 100 ml of vodka, infuse for 7-10 days, filter and store in a dark container in a cool place, protected from light. Take 1 teaspoon 2-3 times a day before meals.
• Herbs. For urolithiasis, it is useful to use strawberry and lingonberry leaves, parsley herbs, common hernia, knotweed and saxifrage, and madder root.
• Yarrow. Grind the grass and yarrow flowers, take 100 g of the mixture and pour in 0.5 liters of vodka, leave in a warm place for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. Then strain. Take 2 tablespoons of infusion 15-20 minutes before meals with water.
• Dill. Pain in the bladder is relieved by dill infusion.
• Horsetail. Brew a teaspoon of horsetail herb with 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, strain and drink in the morning 30 minutes before meals. Repeat for 2-3 months. The stones soften and turn into sand, which will gradually be released in the urine.
• Rose hip. Grind 200 g of rosehip seeds, pour in 2 liters of cold water and leave to steep overnight. In the morning, cook over low heat until 0.75 liters of liquid remains, then strain. To 1/3 cup of this decoction, add 1 tablespoon of honey and lemon juice, heat and drink in the morning on an empty stomach. Take the same portions day and evening 30 minutes before meals. Store the broth in the refrigerator.
• Apple tree (fruits). The fruits of the forest apple tree promote the release of oxalic and uric acids from the body and are therefore used as a diuretic if there is a tendency to stone formation. Raw and baked apples are a good remedy for constipation. Apples are best consumed in the form of compote. Powder from dried apple peels (1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water) is successfully used even for severe kidney and bladder stones.

Urolithiasis (urolithiasis) is a disease that occurs as a result of a metabolic disorder in which an insoluble sediment in the form of sand (up to 1 mm in diameter) or stones (from 1 mm to 25 mm or more) is formed in the urine. Stones settle in the urinary tract, which disrupts the normal flow of urine and causes renal colic and inflammation.

According to medical statistics, urolithiasis is in second place in frequency among all urological diseases, and in third place among urological diseases leading to death.

What it is?

Urolithiasis is a chronic disease that is caused by metabolic disorders and is accompanied by the formation of stones in the kidneys and urinary tract, formed from the constituents of urine. Its most common form is nephrolithiasis (kidney stone disease).

Causes

Urolithiasis is caused by various reasons:

• sedentary lifestyle leading to metabolic disorders;
• infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, which were caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli, Proteus vulgaris;
• other diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system;
• unbalanced diet, disrupted diet, too spicy, sour, salty foods in the diet;
• lack of vitamins A and B;
• drinking low-quality water containing harmful chemical elements;
• some drugs can increase the acidity of urine and affect kidney function;
• unfavorable working conditions, accompanied by physically difficult work or work in the cold;
• tumors in the bladder;
• chronic gastrointestinal diseases (pancreatitis, gastritis and others);
• chronic and protracted pathologies of the kidneys and urinary tract;
• osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases;
• genetic predisposition.

As for women, pregnancy also affects the development of urolithiasis. In women carrying a child, later The outflow of urine is often disrupted. The uterus enlarges, putting pressure on the kidneys. For this reason, urine can stagnate, causing the development of infectious diseases.

Classification

Basically, the pathogenesis of urolithiasis develops against the background of metabolic disorders in humans. This leads to the fact that some foods and substances are poorly processed and cannot be completely eliminated from the body. They accumulate as insoluble particles and result in sand or stones in the urine. Stones are classified according to their chemical composition. They come in several types:

1. Based on calcium (phosphates, carbonates). They are the most common (more than 60% of all stones).
2. Containing uric acid salts (urates). They can be dissolved and are found mainly in elderly patients.
3. Based on magnesium salts. Such stones provoke inflammation in the places where they are located.
4. Protein stones (cystine, cholesterol). These protein stones occur very rarely.

Studying stones for their chemical composition is of great importance in treating the disease and prescribing a diet.

Symptoms of urolithiasis

Symptoms of urolithiasis in men occur only when a formed stone moves through the urethra. For pathological condition A triad of clinical manifestations is characteristic:

• painful sensations varying degrees expressiveness;
• changes in urinary sediment (appearance of blood, pus and other components);
• disruption of the process of urine excretion, up to complete anuria (obstructive genesis).

The pain syndrome can be constant or intermittent, the degree of its severity varies from aching pain to unbearable renal colic, which requires emergency hospitalization of the patient in a hospital.

Painful symptoms are accompanied by complaints of a dysuric nature: frequent and painful urination, disruption of bladder emptying processes. Patients complain of general weakness, decreased performance, a feeling of nausea and vomiting at the peak of pain (it does not bring any relief).

The severity of symptoms of urolithiasis, depending on the location of the stone, is as follows:

1. The presence of a calculus in the lumen of the bladder is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, and the pain radiates to the genitals, perineum or rectum. There are typical dysuric disorders: frequent and painful urination, which can suddenly be interrupted (symptom of “stream interruption”).
2. When the stone is localized on different levels ureter pain moves into groin area, characterized by its irradiation into the surface of the thigh and genitals. There are complaints of frequent and painful urination. When a stone completely blocks the lumen of one of the ureters, the pain syndrome becomes unbearable (renal colic).
3. If the stone is localized in the pyelocaliceal apparatus of the kidney, then the patient has aching pain in the lumbar region of the corresponding side. Pain is associated with changes in body position and movement of the patient. Traces of blood in the urine often appear.

Often, patients go to the doctor with a stone that has already passed, which is an indisputable sign of urolithiasis.

Complications

The most common adverse outcomes of the disease are the following pathological processes:

• calculous pyonephrosis (most often purulent cavities in kidney tissues occur with a recurrent form of urolithiasis);
• inflammation of the affected kidney due to blockage of the urinary duct (obstructive form of pyelonephritis);
• rupture of the wall of the ureter, bladder or urethra with the development of a septic condition in the patient;
• acute renal failure (observed in patients with urolithiasis of a single kidney);
• cicatricial deformations of the lumen of the ureter and others.

Diagnostics

In order to exclude complications from urolithiasis, urologists recommend not to delay visiting a doctor and to seek treatment at the first signs of the disease. medical care. A comprehensive differential diagnosis of urolithiasis, which consists of prescribing laboratory and instrumental methods examinations.

Instrumental diagnostics:

• Intravenous excretory diagnostics.
• X-ray – evaluates the kidneys, ureters and bladder, identifies stones.
• CT or MRI of the kidneys – informative method diagnostics, allowing to evaluate the functioning of the entire genitourinary system, to identify the slightest violations in her work.
• Ultrasound of the kidneys - visualizes all structures of the organ, determines the number of stones and others visible violations in the functioning of the urinary system.

Laboratory diagnostics:

• Urinalysis - determines the pH of urine and the number of leukocytes. Urine tests for urolithiasis are carried out quite often, since they help identify salt crystals and recognize their composition.
• Blood test - allows you to determine the presence of an inflammatory process, as evidenced by an increased ESR and the number of leukocytes.
• Daily urine analysis - allows you to assess the content of various salts in urine.

Treatment of urolithiasis

ICD - group serious illnesses which, if not properly treated, can lead to human death. Self-medication for this disease is unacceptable, so at the first signs of the disease you should seek medical help. Any form of urolithiasis is treated comprehensively using:

• medicines;
• diet;
• herbal medicine;
• physiotherapy;
• correct lifestyle;
• ultrasonic crushing of stones;
• removal of stones.

A conservative method of treating urolithiasis in men is carried out taking into account an integrated and systematic approach and involves taking certain medications.

Medicines are prescribed depending on the composition of the stones:

1. Citrate suppositories, diuretics and vitamins (if stones are of oxalate etiology);
2. Diuretics, anti-inflammatory and diphosphonates (if the detected stones are of phosphate etiology). With this course of ICD, many doctors recommend home treatment herbs as an adjuvant therapy;
3. Medicines that slow down the process of urea synthesis. Drugs are also prescribed that change the degree of acidity of urine, which leads to the dissolution of stones (in the presence of stones of urate etiology).

Drugs for the treatment of urolithiasis are divided into the following groups:

1. Painkiller medicine. Medicines relieve pain during an attack of renal colic (Tempalgin, Baralgin and others).
2. Antibiotics. Mandatory point of therapy. The antibiotic is selected individually by the urologist.
3. Medicines to help pass the stone. The purpose depends on the size, composition, location (Furosemide).
4. Antispasmodics. They remove the cause of the spasm, relax the walls of the ureter, facilitating the passage of the stone (Papaverine, No-shpa, Diprofen).
5. Drugs that dissolve stone. Selection of products based on the composition of the stone (“Fitolysin”, “Solimok”, “Urodan” and others, as well as dietary supplements - “Prolit”, “Litovit”).

The goal of drug therapy is to prevent exacerbation of urolithiasis, alleviate the general condition of a person, relax the muscles and walls of the ureter (kidney), dissolve possible stones and painless removal.

Folk remedies

At home, in the absence of pain, and also to prevent relapses, you can use traditional methods. At phosphate stones the effect is observed with regular drinking of rosehip or barberry decoctions.

Combined herbal preparations are also used, consisting of several herbs that have moderate diuretic, antispasmodic and uroseptic effects.

1. Combine the ingredients in the indicated quantities: garden parsley herb - 20 g, bearberry leaves, common juniper fruits, field steelhead root, dandelion root - 15 g each; common anise fruits, shepherd's purse herb - 10 g each. Pour 10 g of raw material in an enamel bowl with 1 cup of boiling water, close the lid and heat in a water bath for 30 minutes, leave for 10 minutes, strain, squeeze out the grounds. Bring the volume of the decoction to 200 ml with boiled water. Take 1/2-1/3 cup warm 2-3 times a day.
2. Tricolor violet herb - 30 g, horsetail herb - 30 g, St. John's wort herb - 25 g, dandelion herb - 25 g, buckthorn laxative root - 25 g; Brew a tablespoon of the crushed mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain and take a glass 3 times a day for phosphate and carbonate stones.
3. This method of removing stones involves taking two decoctions. The first decoction is prepared from rosehip roots. They need to be crushed using a coffee grinder to end up with 50 g of dry powder. Then add 700 ml of water to the powder and leave to simmer for 15 minutes. After this, prepare an infusion of bearberry. To do this, pour boiling water (300 ml) over dried or fresh herbs (about 30 g), leave for about 2 hours. You need to take the first remedy three times a day after meals, 300 ml. 25 minutes after consuming it, you should take 100 ml of bearberry infusion.
4. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: greater celandine herb - 30 g, oregano herb - 20 g, barberry bark - 20 g; Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes and take a glass 3 times a day for uric acid stones.
5. Mix the ingredients in the indicated proportions: leaves and roots of stinging nettle - 50 g, licorice root - 30 g; Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, leave until cool, strain and drink in 3 doses during the day for kidney stones with nephritis.
6. The dissolution of sand and stones in the urinary organs is facilitated by fresh onions and garlic, strawberries, a decoction of melon seeds in milk, black radish juice with honey or sugar, infusions and decoctions of beans, peas, infusions of shepherd's purse leaves, black currants, fruits (fresh and dry) rose hips, rowan fruits, dandelion roots, calamus rhizomes, corn silks, horsetail grass (contraindicated for nephritis). Recommended are pumpkin, cabbage brine and juice, barberry, strawberries, and rose hips.

The list of traditional medicine recipes is large. It is worth remembering that some herbs have contraindications, so when choosing a method of treatment with folk remedies, consultation with a doctor is required.

Surgical methods

Large urinary stones that cannot be dissolved are broken into small fragments, which either come out on their own or are removed surgically. Stones are destroyed by lithotripsy, affecting them with a shock wave.

There are several types of lithotripsy:

1. Contact lithotripsy - an endoscopic device is brought to the stone through the urethra and bladder, the active part of which comes into contact with the stone (which is why the method is called contact). A shock wave is formed at the point of contact.
2. Percutaneous lithotripsy - with this technique, a lithotripter is inserted into the kidney through an incision in the lumbar region. Used for crushing giant and coral-shaped stones.
3. ESWL - external shock wave lithotripsy - is a non-invasive method in which the impact on kidney stones is carried out without any skin incisions or other invasive techniques.

In cases where the stone cannot be crushed, surgery is performed. Depending on the volume of the operation, the following types of operations for urolithiasis are distinguished:

1. Nephrolithotomy - an incision is made directly through the kidney. This operation is indicated for stones that cannot be removed by other methods and when lithotripsy is ineffective. It is the most difficult operation for the patient.
2. Pyelolithotomy - a kidney stone is removed through a small incision in the renal pelvis.
3. Ureterolithotripsy is an operation to remove stones from the ureter.

Nutrition rules

Diet and nutrition for urolithiasis depends on the pH and composition of the stones. Depending on them, doctors have compiled a list of products whose consumption is contraindicated in a particular case.

If the stones are of urate origin, you should not take:

• alcoholic drinks;
• coffee;
• meat broths;
• fried and spicy foods;
• offal;
• chocolate, cocoa;
• protein of animal origin.

If you have phosphate stones, you should not use:

• vegetables with green skin and/or pulp;
• any spices;
• spicy dishes;
• pumpkin, including its seeds;
• legumes;
• potato;
• dairy products.

If you have oxalate stones, you should avoid using:

• dairy products;
• citrus fruits;
• strawberries and wild strawberries;
• lettuce leaves;
• spinach;
• legumes;
• cheeses of any kind;
• nuts;
• sorrel;
• cocoa, coffee and tea.

Compliance with a certain diet is an integral part of the therapeutic program, which allows you to stop further formation of stones in the urinary system, as well as suppress the growth of existing stones.

Nutrition for urolithiasis is based on the following principles:

• Don't overeat. Food that enters the stomach in large volumes will only worsen the situation.
• Systematic consumption of food. Ideally, you should eat around the same time. It is not recommended to skip meals, as this can lead to increased stone formation and poor health.
• Don't eat excessively high-calorie foods. Energy value products must correspond to the energy costs that occur in reality.
• The diet should be enriched with foods rich in vitamins and amino acids.
• Drink about 2-3 liters of regular still water per day. This will increase the volume of urine excreted.

Prevention

When diagnosed with urolithiasis, prevention should be carried out much earlier than the first signs of the disease appear. People who are at risk or have chronic diseases related to metabolism.

Prevention of urolithiasis consists of following the following recommendations:

1. Consume clean water. In some regions, water contains large amounts of salts, which leads to increased concentrations in the urine and the formation of crystals. It is better to buy bottled water or use highly purified filters.
2. Maintain drinking regime. If there are no contraindications, a person should drink about 2 liters of liquid per day. The best option- this is pure drinking water. It is an ideal solvent and helps dilute the salts, preventing the formation of crystals and the formation of stones from them. People living in hot climates need to increase the volume to 3 liters.
3. Eat a balanced diet. Kidney stones are formed both in meat eaters who adhere to a protein diet, and in vegetarians who consume a lot of acidic vegetables and fruits. Therefore, nutrition should be varied and balanced in composition. It is recommended to eat 150-170 g of meat and 50 g of fish per day. It is not necessary to eat them every day, for example, you can fish 2 times a week for 300 g. You also need 300-400 g of vegetables and the same amount of fruits in any form every day. The total amount of cereals and bread should be 300-400 g.
4. Stay hydrated. Infectious diseases, burns, hot weather, prolonged physical activity and sports cause significant fluid loss. You must constantly replenish its reserves. To do this, it is advisable to drink frequently (every half hour), or in small portions of 100-150 ml. This will help reduce intoxication, remove harmful substances from the body and protect the kidneys.
5. Take vitamins. Deficiency of vitamins, especially E and group B, negatively affects the condition of the mucous membrane genitourinary organs and kidney function, and also leads to disruption of metabolic processes. Therefore, it is recommended to drink vitamin complexes 2 times per year.
6. Don't over-salt your food. For an adult, the daily salt requirement is 5 g or one teaspoon. This amount includes all the salt in the dishes you prepare and in the products (mayonnaise, herring, chips). Excess salt makes it difficult for the kidneys to function.
7. Come to fresh air. Ultraviolet deficiency has a bad effect on bone health. Minerals are washed out of them, which can take part in stone formation.
8. Treat diseases of the urinary system in a timely manner. Any inflammation can provoke the formation of stones and exacerbation of urolithiasis. Therefore, at the first symptoms, contact qualified help, and do not self-medicate.
9. Lead an active lifestyle. Lack of physical activity contributes to urinary stagnation. And exercises aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles and lumbar region improve kidney function and eliminate congestion. Daily norm should become hiking(30-40 minutes each) and a set of exercises lasting 15-20 minutes. The best option is additionally visiting the gym or swimming pool 2-3 times a week.
10. Take herbal diuretics periodically. Watermelon, pomegranate juice, and a concentrated decoction of dried apricots (100 g per 0.5 liter of water) are suitable. Some have diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects medicinal herbs: bear ears, corn silk, horsetail and bearberry. They “wash” the kidneys, prevent salts from precipitating and remove small stones and sand that have already formed.
11. Take care of your digestive health. Deficiency of digestive enzymes in gastrointestinal diseases leads to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Thus, in case of digestive disorders, ascorbic acid turns into oxalate, which is deposited in the kidneys in the form of crystals.
12. Avoid hypothermia. Keep your feet and lower back warm. The receptors located in these areas have a reflex connection with the kidneys and bladder. Hypothermia can cause inflammation or spasms smooth muscle around the stone.

Particular attention to prevention should be paid to people whose relatives suffer from urolithiasis. Since there is high probability that the tendency to form stones is inherited.