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MBBS|MRCS (Edin.)|MMed (Surgery)|FAMS (Urology)
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are solid crystalline structures that form within the urinary system of the kidney. They develop due to the crystallization of substances found in urine, leading to the aggregation of these crystals and the formation of stones within the kidneys.
Kidney stones come in various types, with the most common type in Singapore being calcium oxalate stones, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases.
Other types include calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite (infection-related), and cysteine stones. It’s worth noting that about 50% of patients who have had kidney stones may experience their recurrence within the next 10 years.
Initially, when kidney stones form within the kidney, they often do not cause any symptoms.
However, when the stones migrate to the ureter, they can lead to severe pain. This pain typically starts in the flank (the side of the upper abdomen) and can radiate down to the groin. Additionally, kidney stones can cause blood in the urine (hematuria) and contribute to urinary tract infections.
The causes of kidney stones are multifactorial, and various factors contribute to their formation. Some primary causes include:
Inadequate consumption of fluids or excessive fluid loss, such as through sweating, can result in concentrated urine, increasing the risk of stone formation. Those who consume less than 2 liters of fluids per day or work in hot environments are at higher risk.
Certain medical conditions, including obesity, hypercalcemia, gout, recurrent urinary tract infections, and structural kidney abnormalities like pelviureteric junction obstruction, horseshoe kidney, and medullary sponge kidney, can also increase the likelihood of kidney stone formation.
A diet high in salt (sodium), oxalate-rich foods, and animal protein can lead to an increased concentration of stone-forming substances in the urine.
The treatment of kidney stones depends on various factors, including the size and location of the stone as well as the patient’s clinical condition and medical history. In the acute stage when the stone is causing intense pain, pain-relieving medications may be prescribed. Patients are also encouraged to drink plenty of water to facilitate the passage of the stone. Additionally, the urologist may recommend medications to aid in stone expulsion.
If the stone fails to pass or is unlikely to pass spontaneously, the urologist may suggest minimally invasive treatments to remove the stone. These treatments include:
This procedure uses shockwaves generated from outside the body to break the stone into smaller pieces, thereby allowing the stones to pass out more easily.
A thin tube with a camera (scope) is inserted into the urethra and passed through the bladder and the ureter to reach the stone, which can then be fragmented and removed.
A flexible scope is inserted into the urethra to access the kidney and fragment the stone
This is a surgical procedure involving getting access to the kidney and stone through a small incision in the flank or lower back.
In some cases, laparoscopic or keyhole surgery may be required to remove the kidney stone and/or repair a structural abnormality of the kidney.
A minimally invasive procedure that combines retrograde ureteroscopy and percutaneous access, allowing simultaneous endoscopic treatment from both the ureter and kidney to effectively remove complex stones.
With almost 20 years experience as a certified Urologist, Dr Nor Azhari specializes in treating a wide range of bladder, kidney, prostate conditions as well as disorders of the male reproductive organs.
He offers minimally invasive treatment options and provides same-day appointments for convenience.
For urgent or same day appointment requests, please call our hotline.
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road
#08-41 Singapore 329563
Mount Alvernia Hospital
820 Thomson Road Medical Centre Block A #05-03 Singapore 574623
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation, and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes). We accept the following modes of payment:
If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.
