Treatment of urolithiasis

Urolithiasis is a condition characterized by the formation of stones (concrements) in the kidneys and urinary tract (ureters, bladder). The exact cause of urolithiasis is still not clearly established, but there are several diseases associated with this process. Urolithiasis can provoke pyelonephritis and a number of other kidney diseases.

Urolithiasis often develops against the background of thyroid disorders, metabolic imbalances, and congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. The development of urolithiasis (another term for urolithiasis) is caused by hypercalciuria (an excess amount of calcium in the urine, triggered by osteoporosis — the leaching of calcium from bones), chronic infectious and inflammatory processes in the urinary tract, impaired urodynamics (urine stagnation in the bladder or kidneys), and constant insufficient fluid intake.

As a result of these factors, stones are formed, which can be organic or inorganic. Inorganic stones may consist of crystals of uric acid (urates), phosphoric acid (phosphates), or oxalic acid (oxalates).

The initial signs of the disease are mild and infrequent, so patients often ignore them and only see a doctor when the duration and severity of symptoms become evident. The main manifestations of urolithiasis include:

• Pain in the lower back – may be sharp, cramping, or constant and aching;

• Urinary disturbances – frequent urges to urinate, releasing a small amount of urine inconsistent with the intensity of the urge;

• Renal colic – an attack of sudden, severe pain in the lower back.

The main symptom triad may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, abdominal bloating and tension of the abdominal muscles, and blood in the urine.

The severity and nature of the symptoms depend on the location and size of the stone. Large concrements are usually associated with dull, less intense pain and may cause blood to appear in the urine. Small stones can move from the kidney to the ureter, causing sharp attacks of lower back pain radiating to the groin or abdomen. This usually happens after consuming a large amount of fluid or during intense physical exertion.

Urolithiasis is a disease that, without timely treatment, can lead to severe problems with urination and attacks of acute pain Furthermore, disease progression threatens with such complications as:

• Chronic pyelonephritis;

• Pyelonephrosis;

• Increased renal blood pressure;

• Renal failure and other disorders.

To prevent complications, it is necessary to consult a urologist at the first signs of the disease. In the early stages, when the concrements are small, treatment can be much easier.

If urolithiasis is suspected, the patient undergoes a diagnostic evaluation, which includes:

• General and biochemical blood tests;

• General urine analysis;

• X-ray diagnostics or computed tomography;

• Kidney ultrasound to detect concrements.

Based on diagnostic results, patients with urolithiasis often show hematuria (blood in the urine), leukocyturia (increased white blood cells in the urine), and dysuria (difficulty urinating).

Therapy can be medical and surgical.

Medical treatment for renal colic consists in relieving the pain attack. For this purpose, antispasmodics are prescribed, which relieve spasm and facilitate the possible advancement of the stone, and painkillers.

Surgical treatment is necessary to remove large stones. In especially severe cases, the stone can be removed even with the kidney. In other cases, lithotripsy is used - crushing the stone for its subsequent natural excretion from the body. Lithotripsy can be remote (the stone is crushed by a focused ultrasonic wave) or contact (instruments for crushing the stone are inserted into the kidney through the ureter).

A separate type is percutaneous laser lithotripsy, in which the surgeon gains access to the kidney through the lumbar region. In this case, a laser fiber or ultrasound emitter is inserted into the kidney, the energy of which destroys the stone.

At Oxford Medical, urological surgery is based on modern minimally invasive approaches that allow for the most accurate elimination of the cause of the disease and shorten the recovery period. Surgical treatment is performed by experienced urologists who work according to modern clinical protocols and provide the patient with safe and predictable treatment.

Treatment of urolithiasis in children is fundamentally no different from treatment of adults. Urolithiasis is generally a rare disease among children, occurring only in the case of malformations of the urinary tract or under the influence of genetic factors.

If urolithiasis is diagnosed in a pregnant woman, she is recommended to regularly visit a urologist to monitor the course of the disease and exclude complications of the disease.

For patients with urolithiasis, a dietary nutrition system is being developed, the composition of which depends on the type of stones diagnosed in them. One of the important aspects of such nutrition is sufficient fluid intake.

To prevent the disease, urologists recommend:

• Eating a balanced diet;

• Drinking enough fluids (1.5–2 liters of water for an adult);

• Avoiding bad habits;

• Engaging in regular physical activity;

• Timely treatment of all urogenital diseases.

Following these recommendations helps reduce the risk of stone formation and maintain normal urine flow, which is key to preventing recurrence of urolithiasis.

Oxford Medical is a high-tech medical center. It is equipped with new expert-class diagnostic equipment, allowing for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. In particular, methods of remote and contact lithotripsy are used to fragment stones, and laparoscopic surgeries are performed when necessary. Thanks to this and the involvement of a team of experienced, highly qualified specialists, each patient receives medical care according to the highest quality standards.

Advantages of Oxford Medical:

• Highly qualified and experienced doctors of various specialties.

• Expert-class equipment.

• Use of the most advanced methods of urolithiasis treatment, including minimally invasive techniques.

• High-tech surgical facility with intensive care unit.

• Comfortable atmosphere in the clinics.

• Loyalty program for regular patients.

To schedule a consultation with a urologist, call our contact center or leave a request on the website.

The treatment approach for kidney stone disease is selected individually after an examination and depends on the size and composition of the stones, their location, whether urine flow is obstructed, the presence of associated inflammation, and the patient’s overall condition. Therefore, the price of treatment may vary, as the final cost is determined by the scope of diagnostic tests, required procedures, and the chosen treatment method.

You can view current prices for medical services in Kyiv at “Oxford Medical” here. The doctor will provide more detailed guidance on treatment options and the cost of care during the initial consultation after reviewing the diagnostic results.

To book an appointment with a urologist, please use the online booking form on the website or contact the call center using the listed phone numbers.