Kidney Stones Diagnosed: If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones such as pain in the back, abdomen, or on one side of the lower back, you should visit a urologist as soon as you can. Kidney stones can be very harmful if not treated in time. Untreated kidney stones are associated with serious risks and complications such as hydronephrosis, kidney damage or kidney failure. Kidney stones can be diagnosed and treated effectively by a urologist or nephrologist. In many cases, the patient has to visit a urologist or an emergency room due to sudden and severe pain due to kidney stones.
Regardless of when you visit a urologist, the patient can expect to undergo a similar combination of diagnostic and imaging tests, blood tests, and urine tests to diagnose kidney stones. Diagnosis of kidney stones plays a crucial role in deciding the accurate treatment needed.
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How Will The Doctor Diagnose Kidney Stones?
The urologist will firstly do a physical examination to know about your symptoms like where you are feeling the pain due to a kidney stone. Diagnosis of kidney stones through imaging or various diagnostic tests is necessary for identifying the location and size of the stone. Some diagnostic tests can even help in finding out the cause of the stone, which can help in the prevention of kidney stones in the future. Your urologist will perform some diagnostic tests based on your symptoms to decide the best treatment for your kidney stone removal. Read ahead to find out what to expect while visiting a urologist for kidney stone diagnosis and treatment.
Your Medical History, Diet, And Lifestyle
In order to know what could possibly have caused the kidney stones, the urologist will ask you questions about your personal and your family’s medical history. The urologist may ask you questions like-
- Have you had kidney stones before?
- Has any family member of yours had kidney stones?
- If you have a medical condition that may increase the chance of having kidney stones, such as diabetes, frequent diarrhea, or gout?
Knowing about your medical history, lifestyle, and eating habits can be helpful in the diagnosis of kidney stones. For example, the urologist may ask you about your diet as you might be eating foods that are known to increase the risk of stones, might be drinking very little water and fluids, or eating very few foods that protect against kidney stones.
Understanding your medical and family and your dietary habits will help the urologist find out the cause of kidney stones and suggest to you how you can prevent them.
Blood Test And Urine Test
After understanding your medical history and conducting a physical exam, your urologist might suggest you take a blood and urine test. A blood test can help find if any medical condition or an underlying problem is causing kidney stones. A urine test is carried out to rule out infections like UTIs (urinary tract infections).
Imaging Tests
The urologist will also suggest you take an X-ray to diagnose the kidney stones. Diagnostic tests such as an X-ray or ultrasound can help find out the size and location of the stone. Imaging tests for kidney stone diagnosis are also important if you are having symptoms like pain, blood in the urine, or recurrent urinary tract infections.
How Will The Urologist Treat Kidney Stones?
The treatment of kidney stones will depend on the size, location, and type of stone you have, your symptoms, and how long you have had those symptoms. After proper diagnosis and analyzing your diagnostic test reports, your urologist will recommend the most suitable treatment option for you. It is not necessary that you need surgery for kidney stone removal in Gurgaon. Your urologist will let you know if you need surgery or medications for kidney stone removal. Read ahead to find out various treatment options for kidney stone removal.
Waiting for the Kidney Stone to Pass on Its Own
Some kidney stones can pass on their own, without the need of medications or surgery. Smaller kidney stones can often be passed on their own through the urine by drinking more water and fluids. Larger stones cannot typically pass on their own and may also get stuck in the ureter, which can cause a blockage in the passage of urine and lead to serious complications. If you have a small kidney stone and the doctor has suggested you wait for the stone to pass on its own, you may also be prescribed pain medication to get relief.
Medication
Kidney Stones Diagnosed: Some medications have been proven to help the stone pass through the urine. These medicines work by relaxing the ureter, which makes it easier for the stone to pass, without causing much pain or problems. Your urologist will prescribe medications to pass the stone if he or she feels it is a good option for you.
Surgery
Surgery might be suggested by the urologist to remove a stone in the following cases-
- The stone fails to pass through urine, even with medications.
- The stone is large in size and cannot pass on its own.
- You are at an increased risk of complications if you wait for the stone to pass.
- The stone is causing complications like affecting kidney function.
- If the stone gets stuck in the ureter and causes an obstruction in the flow of urine.
Depending on the size, location, and type of the kidney stone, the urologist will let you know which surgery would be suitable for you for kidney stone removal. Urologists now use modern, less invasive techniques for kidney stone removal in Gurgaon. The aim of using a less invasive technique for surgical removal of kidney stones is to cause the least trauma to the nearby tissue and use smaller or no incisions to remove the stone.
If you or your loved one is having symptoms of kidney stones, getting a proper diagnosis and suitable treatment is very important to get rid of kidney stones and prevent their recurrence. You should choose a renowned and skilled urologist who specializes in less invasive kidney stone removal surgery in Gurgaon.
