The advancement of technology and medicine has brought several options when it comes tokidney stone treatment. Kidney stone or renal calculus is a very common health condition affecting millions of people every year. If you have suffered the same problem in the past, there would be a 50% chance that you may develop the stone in the next 10 years. People living in hotter regions are more prone to develop the calculus because of dehydration. If you currently have stones in your kidneys, here are the treatments and management styles that your doctor may recommend.
Drink more water
Water helps flush out toxins and waste products including kidney stones. Although it is not a primary kidney stone treatment, drinking more water helps flush out the smaller calculus from your body. It also prevents the further formation of bigger stones. As much as possible, you have to increase your water intake especially if you live in a tropical region. Aside from water, you can also get the fluid from fruit juices. Lemon juice is rich in citrate which can help dissolve the core substance of the calculus.
Pain Relievers
Most patients receiving any type of kidney stone treatment require pain relievers. This is because the process of passing out the stone in the urine can be extremely painful. In many cases, blood in the urine is even noticeable. If you cannot stand the discomfort, you may opt for the over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If these drugs do not work for you, your doctor may need to prescribe stronger medications. Be sure, however, that you take in only the prescribed dose.
Alternative Therapies
If you believe in the alternative forms of medication, you can go for a natural kidney stone treatment. According to the advocates, drinking a tablespoon of olive oil mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice is an effective way to get rid of the renal calculi. There are many patients who attest to the effectiveness of this method. But of course, you have to discuss this option with your doctor before adapting it. Some medical practitioners do not advocate the use of alternative therapies because of lack of researches to support them, and the possibility of adverse interaction with your existing medications and health condition.
Lithotripsy
Lithotripsy is a less invasive and medically proven kidney stone treatment. The procedure uses sound waves to dissolve the stone into smaller pieces. But if the stone in your kidney is too big, lithotripsy may no longer be effective and your doctor may suggest surgery to remove the calculus.
Surgery
Open surgery is rarely used as a form of kidney stone treatment. This is because of the complications and risks involved in the procedure. Besides, the procedure requires hospital confinement and the recovery time takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
Prevention
Since there is a bigger chance that you will suffer from the same condition again, it is important to complement the kidney stone treatment with preventive measures. Diet modification and lifestyle changes are crucial to avoid the formation of new stones.