The urologist called the dangerous symptoms of urolithiasis

The prevalence of urolithiasis in Russia is growing rapidly: over the past 10 years, the number of patients has increased by more than a quarter. On July 7, Roman Trukhmanov, a urologist, andrologist at SM Clinic, Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia what symptoms indicate the presence of kidney stones and should alert first of all.

According to the doctor, more than 700 cases of urolithiasis per 100,000 population are registered annually in Russia, while the incidence rate has exceeded 25% over the decade. About 60% of patients experience a relapse as early as three years after the first diagnosis. The disease most often develops in people between the ages of 30 and 50, that is, during the period of maximum working capacity.

"Urolithiasis has long gone beyond just a urological problem. It is a multifactorial disease associated with lifestyle, nutrition, improper metabolism and ecology. Its insidiousness lies in the fact that a person may not realize about the presence of stones for a long time before the first acute attack," explained Trukhmanov.

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According to the expert, one of the most dangerous manifestations of the disease is a sharp, cramping pain in the lower back, usually on one side. It occurs when a stone blocks the ureter and disrupts the outflow of urine, causing increased pressure in the kidney.

Among other characteristic symptoms of the disease, Trukhmanov named an admixture of blood in the urine (up to 90% of cases), nausea, vomiting, chills, fever, abdominal pain (if the stone is located in the lower part of the ureter), frequent and painful urge to urinate. Some patients often attribute the symptoms of urolithiasis to osteochondrosis or gastritis. However, if the pain comes suddenly, does not go away within an hour and is accompanied by fever, this is already a good reason to see a urologist.

Complicated forms of the disease are especially dangerous, including coral nephrolithiasis, in which the stone completely repeats the shape of the cup-pelvis system of the kidney. Coral-shaped stones occur in patients in 3-5% of cases and often lead to kidney failure.

"I sometimes have patients with bilateral stones or with damage to a single kidney. In such a life—threatening situation, the specialist's experience is extremely important, since not only the solution of the problem (removal of stones) depends on the doctor's actions, but also the preservation of organ function, as well as the patient's well-being later when he returns to daily life," the doctor added.

He advised not to wait for an emergency and to undergo regular examinations. Ultrasound, urinalysis, and biochemical studies are among the most informative methods for detecting kidney stones at an early stage.

Even if very small stones are found, this is a signal to reconsider your diet, drinking regime and lifestyle. It is difficult to cure something without any consequences, but it is quite possible to prevent the disease.

Urologist, andrologist of JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), PhD Karen Mkrtchyan spoke about the symptoms of kidney cancer on June 27. According to him, the classic triad of symptoms are pain in the side, blood in the urine, and palpable swelling.