The treatment of kidney stones may vary depending on the size of the stones and condition of the patient. The treatment generally aims at relieving the patient of pain, passing kidney stones through urine or removing them surgically. The surgery may be invasive or non-invasive, depending on the position and size of the kidney stones. They are generally removed without causing permanent damage to any other part of the body. However, one has to follow a strict dietary regimen and take other precautions, as kidney stones have a tendency to return. One can prevent that to some extent by following a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, as suggested by your doctor and dietician. One may have to get hospitalized for treatment of kidney stones. The first part of treatment is diagnosis. This is done with the help of x-rays, urine and blood tests. The urine and blood tests confirm the presence of kidney stones, and x-rays reveal their exact location and relative size. Patients are generally put on intravenous fluids to restore their hydration levels, and their diet is restricted. After a couple of days, based on your physical condition and reports of the tests, the doctors would inform you about various alternative courses of action. In some cases, patients may not have any alternatives but to undergo surgery. However, in other cases, the patients may be given the option to get rid of kidney stones naturally, with the help of an increase in fluid intake. Usually, the size of these stones is not more than that of tomato seeds and one feels immediate relief as soon as they get out of your body. Sometimes, with the help of certain devices, the large stones are broken into smaller pieces through a non-invasive procedure. The smaller stones are then removed non-surgically. Nowadays, surgery is rarely required to remove kidney stones. |
