Urinary stones, renal colic

This imbalance can have several causes. The most common is insufficient fluid intake or a deficiency of substances that help dissolve minerals, such as magnesium or citric acid. Recurrent kidney and bladder infections or improper use of certain medications may also contribute to stone formation. Risk factors include obesity, long-term reduced physical activity, high blood pressure, and genetically determined metabolic disorders.

As long as the stones remain in the kidneys, they may go unnoticed. More pronounced symptoms appear when the stones grow or begin to move down the urinary tract.

Pain during renal colic is typically felt on one side of the lower back or flank. It is intermittent, very intense, and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

If a stone reaches the bladder, the back or flank pain subsides. However, frequent urination and pain during urination may occur, and blood may be present in the urine. Stones in the bladder may obstruct urine flow, and retained urine can create a favourable environment for infection.

Diagnosis of urinary stones is based on a combination of laboratory urine analysis and imaging methods. Urine tests assess pH, the presence of blood, and mineral content.

Kidney stones can be visualised using ultrasound. Stones in the urinary tract may be visible on abdominal X-ray, usually after administration of a contrast agent.

Stones up to 5 mm in size can usually be passed spontaneously. In non-acute cases, this process can be supported by increasing fluid intake and administering substances that reduce the formation of stone-building components in the body.

In acute cases, pain is managed with analgesics combined with medications that relax smooth muscle in the urinary tract, facilitating stone passage. Larger stones (over 5 mm) need to be fragmented first using shock wave lithotripsy.