General Information About Kidney Stones
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
They are hard sand and crystal structures formed when minerals and salts that should be dissolved in the urine combine due to inadequate fluid intake.
Insufficient water consumption, a diet excessively high in salt and animal protein, genetic predisposition, frequent urinary tract infections, and certain metabolic diseases pave the way for stone formation.
When the stone enters the narrow urinary tract (ureter) and blocks the urine, it causes agonizing and very severe (colicky) pains starting from the right or left side of the lower back and radiating towards the groin. Nausea and vomiting accompany it.
Stones smaller than 5 millimeters in diameter can generally pass spontaneously through the urinary tract by drinking plenty of water and moving around. However, larger stones can get stuck in the tract and require medical intervention.
Following the examination by a Urology specialist, the location, size, and obstruction caused by the stone in the kidney are precisely determined with a Non-Contrast Abdominal CT scan.
For stones that do not pass, external sound wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can be applied. For stones blocking the tract, it is entered through the urinary tract with a thin camera, and the stone is fragmented with a laser (URS). For very large kidney stones, the stone is removed through a small hole made in the back (PNL).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
