Kidney Stone Treatment in India for Bangladeshi Patients

What is Kidney Health and Kidney Stone Treatment?

Kidney health means keeping the kidneys working well by removing waste and balancing fluids and minerals in the body. Good kidney health is important to avoid problems like kidney stones, cysts, or more serious kidney disease.

Healthy kidneys perform essential functions like filtering waste, balancing fluids, and regulating blood pressure. Common signs of a healthy kidney include:

• Normal urine output and colour (clear to light yellow)
• No swelling in hands, feet, or face
• Stable blood pressure within the normal range
• Absence of pain or discomfort in the lower back or sides
• Normal blood tests showing balanced electrolytes and waste levels (creatinine, urea)

Kidney stone treatment means using medicines, procedures, or surgeries to remove stones from the kidneys or urinary tract. The main goal is to clear blockages, stop pain, and prevent future problems. 

Many people confuse kidney stones with kidney disease. A kidney stone is a hard mass formed from crystals, while kidney disease happens when the kidneys do not work properly over time. Kidney cysts are another condition where fluid-filled sacs grow in the kidneys.

What to do if you have a kidney stone depends on the size and location of the stone. Small stones in the kidney will pass on their own without help. However, larger stones often need treatment to avoid severe pain, infection, or kidney damage.

In rare cases, untreated or severe kidney stones may lead to kidney damage. If both kidneys are affected or kidney function declines significantly, dialysis may be required to filter waste from the blood until normal function is restored or a long-term solution is found. A common complication of kidney stones is hydronephrosis, a condition where urine backs up into the kidney due to blockage, causing swelling and pain. Prompt treatment is necessary to avoid long-term kidney damage.

There are different treatments based on the stone’s size, location, and type. Treatments include drinking lots of water, taking medicines, or having procedures like shock wave therapy or surgery. Life expectancy depends on many factors, but how long can a kidney patient live varies, from many years with early treatment to extended survival through dialysis or transplant in advanced stages.

Why Do People Need Kidney Stone Treatment?

People need kidney health checks and treatment for kidney stones when they have pain, problems in passing urine, or signs of kidney damage. Early treatment helps avoid serious illness, stops kidney damage, and improves overall health.

Causes of Kidney Stones

The 8 common causes are:

• Low water intake: Not drinking enough water causes minerals to form stones.
  
• High salt or protein diet: Too much salt or animal protein can trigger stones.
  
• Family history: A close relative with kidney stones increases your risk.
  
• Obesity: Being overweight puts more stress on the kidneys.
  
• Certain medicines: Some drugs can raise stone formation.
  
• Urinary infections: Repeated infections can lead to stones or cysts.
  
• Other health issues: Conditions like gout or hyperparathyroidism raise risks.
  
• Genetic conditions: Some people inherit diseases that affect kidney health.

Understanding Kidney Problems: Symptoms and Remedies

Kidney stones and disease may not cause signs early. As problems grow, the body shows clear warning signs. It’s important to recognise both the symptoms of kidney stones and kidney disease symptoms, and remedies to take timely action.

Symptoms of kidney stones often appear suddenly and include:

• Sharp pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
  
• Painful urination
  
• Blood in urine
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
• Frequent urge to urinate in small amounts

In contrast, kidney disease symptoms may develop gradually and include:

• Fatigue and swelling in the legs or face
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Changes in urine output or appearance
  
• Persistent nausea or itching
  
• Shortness of breath or trouble concentrating

Early detection helps manage both conditions effectively. Kidney disease remedies include a low-sodium diet, controlled blood pressure, staying hydrated, regular exercise, and avoiding overuse of painkillers. In advanced stages, dialysis or transplant may be required.

Symptoms of a Stone in the Urinary Tract

A stone in the urinary tract, also known as a kidney stone or urinary calculus, can cause several noticeable symptoms. Here are the common signs to watch for:

• Severe pain: Sharp, cramping pain in the lower back, side (flank), or abdomen. The pain often comes in waves and may radiate to the groin or genitals.
  
• Painful urination: A burning or stinging sensation when passing urine.
  
• Frequent urge to urinate: Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual.
  
• Blood in urine (hematuria): Urine may appear pink, red, or brown due to blood.
  
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine: Indicates possible infection alongside the stone.
  
• Nausea and vomiting: Common with severe pain.
  
• Difficulty passing urine: In some cases, stones can block urine flow.
  
• Fever and chills: May occur if there is an infection in the urinary tract.

Understanding the difference between kidney stones and kidney disease, and knowing the signs of each, helps patients seek proper treatment and protect long-term kidney health.

When These Symptoms Lead to Treatment

Doctors recommend treatment when:

• Tests like ultrasound, CT scan, or X-ray confirm stones or cysts
  
• Symptoms like pain or blood in the urine do not go away
  
• A stone blocks urine flow or causes an infection
  
• Kidneys start to lose function
  
• Hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys due to blocked urine flow) appears

Ways to Remove a Kidney Cyst

Kidney cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on or inside the kidneys. Most simple kidney cysts do not require treatment unless they cause symptoms or complications. When removal or treatment is needed, common methods include:

• Observation: If the cyst is small and not causing symptoms, doctors usually monitor it over time with periodic ultrasounds or scans.
  
• Aspiration and sclerotherapy: A minimally invasive procedure where a needle is inserted into the cyst to drain the fluid, followed by injecting a solution to shrink or prevent the cyst from refilling.
  
• Laparoscopic surgery: A minimally invasive surgery where small incisions allow the surgeon to remove or drain the cyst using specialized tools.
  
• Open surgery: In rare cases, when cysts are large or complicated, traditional surgery may be performed to remove them.
  
• Treatment of underlying conditions: If cysts are part of diseases like polycystic kidney disease (PKD), treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preserving kidney function rather than cyst removal.

Which Medicine to Take for Kidney Stones

When wondering which medicine to take for a kidney stone, the choice depends on the size, type, and symptoms of the stone. Common medicines include:

• Pain relievers: Over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen help ease the pain caused by kidney stones. Stronger painkillers may be prescribed for severe pain.
  
• Alpha-blockers: Medicines such as tamsulosin relax the urinary tract muscles, helping the stone pass more easily.
  
• Stone-dissolving medications: For uric acid stones, doctors may recommend allopurinol or potassium citrate to dissolve stones or prevent new ones. For calcium stones, thiazide diuretics can reduce calcium levels in urine.
  
• Antibiotics: Prescribed if a urinary tract infection accompanies the kidney stone.

Always consult a doctor to determine which medicine to take for kidney stones safely and effectively. Self-treatment is not recommended, especially with large stones or complications.

Quick action is important. Delay can cause permanent kidney damage.
Bangla Health Connect can help Bangladeshi patients find top kidney specialists at Apollo Hospitals for quick, expert care.

Why Choose India for Kidney Stone Treatment?

India is a trusted choice for patients needing kidney treatment. Many Bangladeshi patients travel to India for the following reasons:

• Experienced kidney specialists
  Doctors in India treat thousands of kidney stone and kidney disease cases every year.
  
• Advanced technology and modern hospitals
  Hospitals use the latest tools like laser lithotripsy, keyhole surgeries, and dialysis machines.
  
• Affordable treatment costs
  Treatment is much cheaper than in the US, UK, or Singapore without losing quality.
  
• Quick appointments and faster care
  No long waiting lists. Patients can get tests, diagnosis, and surgery quickly.
  
• Language and patient support
  Most Indian doctors speak English. Bangla Health Connect helps with Bengali-speaking support for Bangladeshi patients.

India offers the right mix of skilled doctors, advanced treatment options, lower cost, and patient-friendly services. Compared to other countries, patients get the same quality care at a much more affordable price in India.

Contact Bangla Health Connect today to connect with top Indian hospitals, book a doctor’s appointment, or get a second opinion.