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Kidney stones

Nephrolithiasis · Ledvinové kameny (nefrolitiáza)

What it is

Crystals aggregate into stones; passing one is famously agonising.

Symptoms & signs

  • Severe loin-to-groin colic
  • nausea and vomiting
  • blood in urine
  • restlessness
  • fever if infected

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Stone pain with fever or shaking chills
  • call 112 / 911 now No urine at all, or stone pain with only one kidney
  • see a doctor soon Pain not controlled by painkillers or constant vomiting
  • see a doctor soon Stone pain in pregnancy

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • NSAID analgesia (better than opioids)
  • tamsulosin for stones 5–10 mm
  • shockwave lithotripsy
  • ureteroscopy
  • PCNL for large stones

Natural & lifestyle

  • 2.5–3 L fluid daily
  • reduce salt
  • normal calcium (not low)
  • limit oxalate if a stone-former
  • lemon juice for citrate
  • weight control

Emerging & experimental

  • Ultrasonic propulsion to move stones
  • thulium fibre laser
  • oxalate-degrading bacteria (Oxalobacter)

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri, 'stone breaker') — small studies early / small studies
  • Magnesium and vitamin B6 for oxalate stones — small studies early / small studies
  • Olive-oil and vinegar 'stone flushes' — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes