WHAT CAN ACHING PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK “TALK ABOUT”?

Urolithiasis, known in everyday life as “kidney stones,” is a chronic disease based on the formation of salt deposits in the form of stones in the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra.

Candidate of Medical Sciences Nikolay Anokhin, urologist, senior researcher at the Department of Urolithiasis of N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation talks about why this disease occurs, what types of stones there are, as well as the alarming symptoms and causes of the development of urolithiasis.

“If you are bothered by aching pain in the lower back, radiating to the groin, this may be a signal of developing urolithiasis,” explains Nikolai Anokhin. — Aching pain in the lower back, which can pass along the ureter, is the main sign of the presence of stones in it. The color of the urine may also change, or blood or clots may appear in the urine. Often a small stone passed from the kidney into the ureter can cause renal colic, which is the most painful symptom. But it also happens that the patient may not feel symptoms if the stone is large and located in the kidney.”

Medicine knows several types of stones. The most common are calcium: they occur in 80%. There are also drug stones, rare protein stones, struvite or infection stones, which occur in 5% of cases, and uric acid stones (urantium). To treat the latter, you do not need to resort to surgery, as in all other cases, but only drug therapy is enough for the stone to dissolve on its own and pass freely through the urinary tract. This treatment is called litholytic therapy.

According to the expert, stones can always be eliminated, but this will not save the patient from urolithiasis. Unfortunately, this disease is chronic. Urolithiasis can have a variety of causes, including genetic mutations, developmental abnormalities, underlying medical conditions, diet, obesity, infections, and even medications. Most often, these reasons are interrelated, but it is malnutrition that can lead to the appearance of stones in 50% of cases. High-protein diets and low fluid intake – all this directly affects the possibility of developing the disease.

“I would like to note the particular importance of maintaining a drinking regime, reducing the consumption of salty foods and meat – this is the most effective prevention against the appearance of stones. Do not exclude foods rich in calcium – cheeses, dairy products.” – Nikolai Anokhin advises.

“You need to understand that the stones may not bother you, and with some of them you can lead a normal lifestyle, but it is very important to monitor your condition and undergo timely examination and treatment,” explains the doctor. — Urolithiasis requires an integrated approach to treatment. At the Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology named after N.A. Lopatkina today successfully use the most advanced methods of treating this disease.” For example, one of them is a procedure to remove stones from the urinary tract. With the help of wave therapy, salt deposits are crushed into a fine state (sand), which then comes out naturally.

Get advice from specialists at the Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology named after. ON THE. Lopatkin is available through the contact center by calling +7 499 110-40-67.