to knowing them
Do kidney stone sizes vary? Does size affect the nature of treatment? Here is the most important information about kidney stones and their sizes in this article.
Kidney stone sizes: your comprehensive guide to knowing them
Kidney stones, also called renal calculi, are aggregates of solid deposits of salts and minerals that form inside the kidneys. They usually have different sizes. Let us learn more about the sizes of kidney stones in the following:
Kidney stone sizes
The kidneys filter the blood to make urine, and sometimes the minerals and salts in the urine are deposited to form stones. The size of kidney stones ranges from the size of a grain of sugar to the size of a tennis ball, and treatment depends on the size in addition to the accompanying symptoms and the type of stone.
Here is an explanation of the possibility of stones being expelled without medical intervention, depending on their size:
Stone sizes smaller than 5 mm: the chance of passing them without outside help is 90%.
Stone sizes between 5 - 10 mm: the probability of them passing on their own is 50%.
Stone sizes exceed 10 mm: There are several treatment methods that can be followed.
Is the cause of kidney stones the reason for their size?
Before knowing the answer, it is necessary to know the causes of kidney stones, which are as follows:
some medicine.
Diabetes.
Problems with metabolism.
Thyroid problems.
Now, let us find out the answer to the question: Is the cause of kidney stones the reason for their formation? The answer is no, as the cause of kidney stones does not interfere with their size, but only their formation. As for the sizes of stones, they often result from the habits followed by the person, such as:
Lack of drinking water.
Eat a lot of salt.
Increased body weight.
Methods of treating kidney stones
There are several types of kidney stones. The type of stone is detected if it passes through the urethra and is collected. As for the sizes of kidney stones, they are known using diagnostic imaging and ultrasound. Based on the type and size of the stone, the cause of the infection and the appropriate treatment for the condition are determined.
The treatment of kidney stones is divided into two parts as follows
1. Home treatment
If the kidney stone sizes are small, treatment often depends on
Drink plenty of water, as most small stones pass through the urine after drinking a lot of water for a period not exceeding 48 hours.
Take painkillers for the pain associated with the stone.
2. Medical treatment
Some stones do not pass easily through urine, so doctors use some medical options, which are:
Some types of medications that break up stones and make them easier to pass, such as calcium channel blockers.
Laser beam technology: This technology is used if the size of the stone is large, i.e. more than 10 millimeters, so that the laser beams work to break up the large stones into several small stones so that they can then come out on their own.
Surgery, where the stone is removed by passing a device from the urinary tract and bladder to the ureter, and surgery is used after other methods have failed to remove it.
What are the ways to prevent kidney stones?
Preventing kidney stones is linked to following a healthy diet, and the following prevention methods include protection against all sizes of kidney stones:
Drinking plenty of water prevents dehydration and thus prevents the formation of stones.
Stay away from soft drinks, especially dark soft drinks, and replace them with lemon juice.
Limit the intake of salts and proteins.
