Renal colic is a pain caused by kidney stones that becomes dislodged from kidneys. Sizes of kidney stones vary from being as tiny as a grain of sand to large beans.
As the kidney stones get dislodged from kidney, they travel through your urinary tract until it gets repelled with urine. This process is excruciatingly painful and comes without warning. When these stones become impacted in your urinary tract and block the flow of urine, infection can form and cause further complications. This will almost always require a surgery.
So what are the symptoms of renal colic? Main symptoms include extreme urinary discomfort and pain. People suffering from renal colic often feel series of excruciating pains starting from the back to the torso, genitals and thighs. Other common symptoms associated with renal colic includes but not limited to: nausea, vomiting, bloated stomach, fever and blood in urine. Symptoms vary from person to person and the accurate diagnosis can only made by trained doctors.
People suffering from colic experience extreme pain and are prescribed pain relief medications to relieve the discomfort. When the sizes of the kidney stones are small, a strong non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is often enough to manage the pain. Antibiotics are also prescribed for renal colic with varying degrees of effectiveness.
For larger kidney stones, medications often aren't enough to handle and manage the pain for patients. When this becomes the case, surgical removal of kidney stones may be the only solution. Kidney stones can be removed using electric shockwaves or ultra-sound and in some cases require invasive surgery depending on the size of the kidney stone. You should consult with your doctor to discuss and explore the best options for your renal colic.
There are preventive measures you can take to limit the chances of kidney stone development. First and foremost, you should drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Limit foods high in protein, nitrogen and sodium. Certain drugs such as thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate and allopurinol are known to contribute to formation of kidney stones. |
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