Urolithiasis: symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment. Why stones form in the kidneys and bladder.

Urolithiasis
(urolithiasis) is a disease characterized by the formation of stones in the urinary organs. Stones can be found in all organs of the urinary system, however, they most often occur in the kidneys and bladder. Also a serious problem are stones in the ureter, where they enter after descending from the kidneys. Urolithiasis can develop at any age, but most cases of its initial detection occur between the ages of 20-55 years.

Causes of urolithiasis

The appearance of stones indicates metabolic disorders, as a result of which insoluble salts begin to accumulate in the body. It is believed that the tendency to urolithiasis is congenital, but stones will not appear without the influence of one of the additional factors, including:

hot climate, provoking active sweating;
composition of drinking water (hard water promotes stone formation);
addiction to spicy, salty and sour foods, excess calcium and animal protein in food;
lack of vitamins (A and group B), ultraviolet radiation (life “without the sun”);
severe dehydration, for example as a result of infectious diseases;
sedentary lifestyle, including forced inactivity as a result of injuries;
chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines (gastritis, colitis, peptic ulcer);
diseases of the kidneys and other organs of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, cystitis, prostate adenoma, prostatitis);
metabolic diseases (for example, gout).

Causes of stone formation

The problem arises when there is a lot of calcium and uric acid in the urine and at the same time there is not enough water, which blurs the crystalline substances, makes the urine more alkaline, and prevents small pebbles from sticking together.

The problem has 5 main types. In 90% of cases it is caused by calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones.

Calcium oxalate stones

Calcium oxalate is created daily by the liver. The substance is also found in food - chocolate, fruits, nuts, vegetables.

Vitamin D also contains a lot of calcium oxalate, so you need to be careful when taking medications that contain it.

The appearance of this type of stones can be caused by:

gastric bypass, which is done to lose weight;
some metabolic pathologies.

Calcium phosphate

Concretions from this substance are generated by:

migraines;
certain anticonvulsant drugs (topiramate);
renal tubular acidosis.

Struvite stones

Born of infections. They quickly become very bulky. If not treated in time, the stones will block the flow of urine and cause serious complications. They can only be removed surgically.

Uric acid (urate) crystal stones

Appears in people:

those who do not drink enough fluid lose it suddenly (for example, during intense sports);
are on a high protein diet;
suffer from gout.

Cystene stones

They affect people with a very rare genetic disease (cystinuria), due to which vital amino acids are excreted from the body in large quantities.

The problem is also generated by:

hyperparathyroidism (problems with the parathyroid gland);
some congenital pathologies (spongy kidney, Dent's syndrome);
inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease), chronic diarrhea.

The causes of urolithiasis in men are varied.

Read also: Cystitis in men: symptoms, treatment, signs

Symptoms of urolithiasis

The main symptom is pain, the localization of which depends on the organ in which the stones are located. The hard body of the stone injures the organ, especially when moving.

Symptoms of kidney stones

Kidney stones manifest themselves as pain in the lumbar region on one or both sides (depending on whether there are stones in one or both kidneys). As a rule, the pain is dull, aching in nature. Pain sensations change with movement or change in body position. Blood may be found in the urine after an attack of severe pain, walking or physical activity. Stones may also pass (stones are carried away by a stream of urine).

If the kidney stone is small, there may be no obvious symptoms.

Symptoms of stones in the ureters

Stones in the ureter cause pain, the location of which changes as the stone moves: the pain moves from the lower back to the groin, lower abdomen or genitals.

The stone can completely block the lumen of the ureter. In this case, urine accumulates in the kidney, causing severe pain ( renal colic

). The pain can last for hours (up to several days), and only stops when the stone passes from the ureter into the bladder. In case of renal colic, emergency medical care is required (you must call 03).

A stone in the lower ureter may cause frequent urination.

Symptoms of bladder stones

The presence of stones in the bladder is manifested by pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the perineum or genitals, primarily during movement or urination. Sudden movements can also trigger the urge to urinate (a symptom of frequent urination). During urination, the stream of urine may be interrupted and resumed only when the stone moves as a result of a change in body position.

Methods for diagnosing urolithiasis

A stone is, in fact, a foreign object, and its existence in the organs of the urinary system can lead to serious consequences.
Stones in the kidneys and ureter over time lead to the development of pyelonephritis in acute or chronic form; and in the absence of proper treatment, relapses of pyelonephritis and impaired urine flow can cause kidney death. Bladder stones can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane (cystitis). Therefore, if you notice symptoms of urolithiasis, you should definitely consult a doctor. To confirm the diagnosis, an ultrasound or x-ray examination, urine and blood tests are usually performed.

General blood analysis

A general blood test allows you to identify the inflammatory process, which in a significant number of cases is present in urolithiasis. However, if there is no inflammation, the test results may remain within normal limits.