Urologist's 'kidney stone' warning: 'If left untreated, the kidney can rot'

Urologist Op. Dr. Veysel Yüzgeç made assessments regarding urinary system stones.

'SEEN IN THOSE WHO DRINK LESS WATER AND THOSE WHO HAVE INFECTIONS'

Stating that urinary system stones can anatomically be located in the kidney, Urologist Op. Dr. Veysel Yüzgeç said, "They can be in the urinary tract we call the ureter, that is, between the kidney and the bladder, or in the bladder. They can also be in the channel we call the urethra after the bladder. Symptoms and treatment methods can vary depending on the location, size, and shape. Patients usually complain of severe pain starting from the side and radiating to the groin. Nausea and vomiting, burning during urination, and darkening of urine are generally present. Urinary system stone diseases are seen more frequently in people who have previously passed stones or have a family history of stone problems. Stones are seen more often in those who consume a diet rich in protein, in hot regions, in sedentary people who work desk jobs, in those who drink little water, and in those who frequently have infections.

WARNING ON MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS

We recommend that people with these risks regarding stone formation undergo a check-up for the urinary system once a year. Treatment varies depending on the location, size, and shape of the stone. Treatment can be performed with endoscopic and closed methods called PNL, or with open surgical methods. Even if the stone is completely cleared after treatment, the possibility of the patient having stones again continues. We provide the necessary information to the patient regarding the preventive treatment part of eating and drinking so that the patient does not get stones. Patients need to consume less meat and meat products, and milk and dairy products. While they need to increase their water consumption, they also need to reduce salt. Salt is one of the factors that increase stone formation. Stone disease is seen more frequently in men and in their 30s, but it can even be seen in newborn children. It is a serious disease. If it is left too late or if treatment is not sought and necessary interventions are not performed, it can cause the kidney to rot. For this reason, there are many patients who have lost their kidneys. Stone pain usually starts from the side, radiates to the groin, and is accompanied by nausea and vomiting; it is severe and colicky pain. In stone diseases that progress without pain, the stone is usually seen by chance while investigating another disease; in these patients, the damage to the kidney can be at more serious levels. They progress insidiously and are more dangerous. We recommend that our patients undergo a check-up once a year without waiting for this stage. In this day and age, especially in city life, access to natural water is not always possible. The added chlorine value, the cleanliness of the water, and whether it contains germs are also important issues in terms of having kidney stones. In multi-center scientific studies conducted regarding hard water versus soft water, no significant difference was found between hard water and soft water. Anatomical structure, genetic structure, lifestyle, and living in a hot climate region are more effective in stone diseases," he said.

News Source: İHA