Urolithiasis is a disease that is characterized by the formation of calculi in the organs of the urinary system. Urolithiasis can lead to the formation of fine-grained or powdery sand, as well as large stones in the kidneys, bladder and other segments of the urinary system. Most often, the disease affects patients aged 22-50 years. According to statistics, it is urolithiasis that causes about 30% of hospitalizations in the urology department. In the absence of proper treatment, urolithiasis causes chronic pyelitis and pyelonephritis.
Causes of urolithiasis
The formation of sand or stones in the organs of the urinary system is directly related to metabolic disorders in the body. A hereditary predisposition to the disease also has a certain effect.
Kidney stones or bladder can form against the background of malnutrition or drinking water with a specific chemical composition, in which a large number of salts predominate. The development of urolithiasis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, and a lack of vitamins of groups A and B. Often, stones form as a side pathology in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight the "secondary" stones. They are formed in case of violation of the outflow of urine. The salt crystals contained in it precipitate and condense due to the high concentration.
Types of stones in composition:
- urate;
- oxalates;
- phosphates;
- struvites.
Symptoms of Urolithiasis
A classic symptom of urolithiasis is renal colic. It occurs in case of violation of the outflow of urine. Pain can depend on the location of the stone, its variety and size. But most often the pain gives to the lower back, although it can also be felt in the groin or in the genital area. Before the onset of pain, urolithiasis usually proceeds without any specific symptoms.
In addition to severe pain, the patient has signs of intoxication:
- nausea and vomiting;
- frequent urination;
- an admixture of blood in the urine;
- cramping while urinating.
If the stone is smaller than the ureter in diameter, then it can leave the body on its own. But in most cases, urgent specialist assistance is needed. After collecting an anamnesis, the urologist directs the patient to undergo laboratory tests and undergo hardware diagnostics:
- blood and urine tests;
- Ultrasound
- urography (x-ray).
An increase in body temperature may indicate that against the background of a violation of the outflow of urine, the patient develops inflammation.
