Causes & Treatment Of Renal Concretion of Kidneys in Indians

Renal concretions, commonly known as kidney stones, are small crystal lumps of different substances, such as salt, calcium, uric acid, and other minerals. They form as hard, pebble-like deposits which can range from anywhere between the size of a kernel to a grain of salt, or a sugar cube to a ping pong ball. In more serious cases of renal concretion in Indian patients, it can be as large as the kidney itself.

Kidney stone formation typically takes place in the kidneys itself, but can also manifest in the urethra, ureters and urinary bladder. These form when the body is not hydrated enough, which causes the urine to become highly concentrated with different kinds of minerals. The side effects of kidney stones in Indian patients can include severe stone pain, especially if the stone is much larger. If the renal stone is smaller in size, there is a chance you may not experience much pain or any symptoms while the stone is still in the kidney.

However, you may experience extreme pain when the stone travels to the tube through which the urine passes, even if it is a tiny concretion in kidneys. This is because the ureter tube is quite narrow, which can cause a blockage, resulting in increased pressure on the kidneys. This causes severe pain from the loin into the groin areas as the stone passes. The severity is intense because of the contraction of a smooth muscle in the wall of the ureter to push the stone out.

A concretion in kidney in Indian patients can occur for a number of other reasons as well, such as the presence of other underlying medical conditions. Conditions like dehydration, thyroid dysfunction, obesity, gastric bypass surgery or other such medical issues put people at a higher risk of developing kidney stones. We have test packages like the thyroid hormone test and the obesity risk assessment test that you can refer to, if you need to learn about your health status better. 

There are also different types of kidney stones. Calcium oxalate stones, uric acid, struvite (also known as staghorn kidney stones) and cystine are the four types of renal calculi. The treatment of these depends on which type patients have.

Interesting facts about kidney stone formation:

• A renal concretion affects people of all age groups, but people above the age of 30 are more prone to kidney stone formation
• 1 in 20 people experience the occurrence of kidney stones at least once in their lifetime
• About 5% of Indian women and 10% of Indian men have at least one episode of kidney stones before they turn 70
• Indian men are more prone than women to get affected by kidney stones and they are mostly reported by 25 to 30 year age group

In any of these cases, it is important to seek out proper medical attention. Consulting a specialist can help you identify the problem. In addition to this, a full body checkup once a year can help you understand the functioning of your vital organs better. This will help you assess your overall health and identify which areas of your health need improvement. You can chat with a doctor on mFine or on our app, or you can avail a comprehensive health check up or kidney function test with our list of health packages based on your age, gender, and existing medical conditions. A trained medical professional will arrive at your doorstep to collect the samples to make the process smooth and simple for you from the comfort of your home.

It can be helpful to know the common facts about renal concretion to better understand the condition. This can help you discern whether or not the symptoms you are presenting are typical of kidney stones. The main characteristics of this are:

• It is a treatable medical condition
• A medical diagnosis requires professional medical attention by experts
• A general physician or nephrologist can confirm the presence of different types of kidney stones
• It resolves within days to a few weeks with treatment
• Advanced stages or larger stones may require surgical removal
• Can be removed naturally by drinking more water
• Lab tests, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs or other imaging may be required
• Affects both Indian men and women
• The pain may reach the groin in cases concerning men
• Can be physically painful, therefore pain medication is recommended

It is best to consult with top urologists for better and accurate diagnosis and renal stone treatment. Our expert urology doctors on mFine app can be reached at any time for queries related to your health. You can also refer to our in-depth medical guides if you are looking for more information on common health queries!

Kidney stone symptoms in Indians can vary since the stones may move around anywhere from the ureter to the bladder. Which is why the side effects of kidney stones are experienced differently for different people. Common symptoms experienced by individuals include:

• Pain in the groin, abdomen, side, or back
• A frequent urge to use the bathroom all the time
• Low urine output in the bathroom
• Blood in the urine
• Discoloured or foul-smelling urine (pink, red, or brown)
• Mild to severe fever
• Chills
• Sweating
• Nausea and vomiting

Tiny concretion in kidneys, which are small stones, may pass out on their own without showing any symptoms. But apart from such cases, renal concretion is typically self-diagnosable. If you experience any of these effects of kidney stones, you should get evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

They will be able to offer the right renal stone treatment and help offer medical advice based on the size of the stone, severity of kidney stone pain, and can provide other such insights relevant to your diagnosis. They will suggest the correct procedure to diagnose the condition as well, with x-rays, urine tests, etc.

These tests will also help determine which of the different types of kidney stones you are suffering from and whether it is a right renal concretion or a left renal concretion.

The most important symptoms to look out for are vomiting, severe pain in the abdomen or back, painful urination, and discoloured urine caused by blood. These are the most typical symptoms and can become severe quickly if they are not treated immediately. Consult with best urologists if you show any of the above symptoms. You can also get in touch with female urology doctors, as per your comfort and preferences, for the best kidney stone treatment.

Renal concretion treatments in India differs based on the size of the renal stone and which of the different types of kidney stones it falls under. It may also depend on whether it is a left renal calculus or right renal calculus. On this basis, a doctor may recommend ways to achieve kidney stone pain relief at home or may suggest surgical removal of kidney stones.

Self-care

In the case of calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common type of renal stones, you may be given advice on how to work at passing a kidney stone on your own. This can be achieved with proper self-care, including the following tips:

• Drinking plenty of water and fresh fruit juices to stay hydrated
• Consume at least 4 quarts of water a day
• Ensure you have a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other similar foods
• Avoid intake of excess salt
• Avoid consuming nuts, tea and chocolate
• Lower your protein intake
• Avoid consuming processed foods entirely
• Cut down on your intake of alcohol
• Refrain from cigarettes and smoking
• Regular exercise should also be incorporated into your daily schedule

All of this will help the renal concretion flush out on its own.

Medication

In terms of medication to help you with passing a kidney stone or reduce the painful effects of kidney stones, you will be prescribed certain medicines. In addition to this, depending on the complications in the condition, the doctors may suggest any of the following:

1. Preventive measures: Based on your condition and symptoms, doctors may prescribe medication or drugs that specifically target uric acid stones. For example, diuretics medication can be taken to prevent kidney stone formation in the first place.
2. Pain medication: In order to help you relieve the pain, anti-inflammatory, narcotic and pain relief medication may be prescribed.
3. Recovery: You may also be put on IV fluids or medicine like Tamsulosin (typically 0.4 mg daily) or Nifedipine (typically 30 mg daily) for renal stone treatment. These help to speed up the process of passing a kidney stone and avoid surgery.

Depending on the stage and size of the stones, appropriate action will be taken. Smaller stones may pass out on their own and a doctor may prescribe only a few pain relievers to help you through your symptoms. For larger stones, the use of scope may be recommended if it is feasible in place of surgical removal of kidney stones.

It is possible you may also be prescribed antibiotics or other types of medicine for specific symptoms depending on the type of kidney stones you have. All medication should be prescribed by a kidney stone doctor, also known as a urology doctor, and should be taken under their guidance and suggestions.

Surgery and more

In case of larger stones or more difficult ones, like staghorn kidney stones, surgery will be required in order to complete stone removal. These types of kidney stones are too painful to pass on your own and cannot be broken down. Depending on the size and complexity, a different surgical procedure will be recommended by a kidney stone doctor. This may also vary based on the location of the stone, and whether it is a right renal concretion or left renal concretion. Surgery will definitely be required in cases where there is urine blockage, a growing infection, or severe pain.

With medical advancements, there are some non-invasive ways to eliminate ureteric stones besides surgery. Here are the different surgical, endoscopic and therapeutic interventions your doctor may suggest:

• Ureteroscopic stone removal: This procedure uses a ureteroscope to remove the stones. It is inserted up the ureter tube towards the urethra or bladder until it reaches the location of the kidney stone formation to remove it.
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy: With the help of shockwaves, this procedure works to break up the stones to help assist your body pass it through the urine.
• Laser lithotripsy: This is a non-invasive procedure. The renal concretions are broken down into smaller pieces with the use of lasers. These can then be removed or passed in the urine a lot more easily.
• Tunnel surgery: This procedure involves making a small incision, and removing the stone. The incision is typically made in the back and a scope is inserted to assist with removal.

Renal concretions can be effectively managed and treated. The right diagnosis is the key to receiving appropriate renal stone treatment. Other treatments like lithotripsy, ureteroscopy or tunnel surgery can be done after consulting a nephrologist or urologist. These doctors are specialists and can best diagnose the type of renal concretion, and the way forward for you based on the severity of your condition alongside your diet, body type, and other lifestyle factors.

If you face severe symptoms or find blood in your urine, it’s important you see a doctor right away. At MFine, we enable the patients to have a healthier way of life with modern healthcare services.

We ensure that the best renal stone treatment programs
are made available to Indians for any stage your medical condition or issues may be at. We strive to provide you with better knowledge about your medical queries and offer online support as well to make healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Get in touch with our team of doctors and healthcare professionals for any advice or assistance. We will provide you with a total and holistic healthcare treatment program as per your needs and requirements. You can also check out our mFine app for a list of best urologists with whom you can interact and get answers for your queries.

Q1. What causes a concretion in kidney?

A concretion in kidney forms when the body is not hydrated enough, which causes the urine to become highly concentrated with different kinds of minerals. Kidney stone formation can also occur due to the presence of other underlying medical conditions. Conditions like dehydration, thyroid dysfunction, obesity, gastric bypass surgery or other such medical issues put people at a higher risk of developing kidney stones. We have test packages like the thyroid hormone test and the obesity risk assessment test that you can refer to, if you need to learn about your health status better. 

Q2. Is renal concretion harmful?

In most cases, renal stones can pass out of the body easily through urination. To achieve this, one must include a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables, cut down on salt intake and drink 3-4 litres of water a day. However, it is possible for the kidney stone to get struck in a ureter and cause complications like kidney infections. Consult a nephrologist and follow-up with them to avoid any potential risk of damaging your kidneys.

Q3. How can you prevent kidney stone formation?

The best way to prevent kidney stone formation is to stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet. Drink 3-4 litres of water regularly and avoid foods that are high in salt and oxalate. To get a personalized diet catering to your bodily needs, consult a dietitian to ensure a healthy lifestyle. In terms of medication, you will be prescribed with certain medicines and preventive measures depending on your condition. 

Q4. How do I book an appointment with a kidney stone doctor online?

To schedule an online consultation, download the MFine app, search for a nephrologist online and fill out your details. You will be contacted by a top nephrologist online in from the comfort of your home. You can discuss your health concerns comfortably as MFine takes your privacy very seriously. With a safe and secure platform, we ensure that the discussions between you and your doctor strictly remain confidential.