Overview

Urolithiasis is the formation of stones in the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract). Mineral deposits, primarily calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, are the primary source of kidney stones (calculi); other potential calculus formers include uric acid, struvite, and cystine. Renal calculi are most frequently detected in the renal pelvis and calyces, though they can occur anywhere in the urinary tract. Urine flow obstruction or renal calculi may not cause any symptoms until they travel into a ureter, indicating an immediate risk to renal function.

Causes

Around 85 % of calculi are mainly composed of calcium oxalate, and the remaining 10% are made of uric acid, and less than 2 % of stones are formed by cysteine. Sometimes, very few are formed out of Magnesium and Ammonium phosphate. The most common risk factors that contribute to renal calculi include

• Acidosis in renal tubules.

• One to two per cent of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism also have calcium calculi. 

• Sarcoidosis  

• Vitamin D overdose

• Hyperthyroidism 

• Multiple myeloma 

• Metastatic malignancy  

• Primary Hyperoxaluria  

• Taking high doses of vitamin C

Symptoms

In acute conditions when the stone distends or obstructs the renal tubules, you may experience the following symptoms. It is a condition to be attended to immediately, and hence you should rush to your nearby clinic or Family physician. Acute symptoms may present with, 

• Renal colic pain can range in intensity, but it is usually intense and sporadic.

• Sickness and nausea 

• Frequency and urgency of urine 

• Gross hematuria in the event of blockage

• In chronic cases of long-lasting renal stones, you may experience changes in the urinary pattern. 

• Mild non - non-persistent pain 

• Lack of appetite/dislike towards food 

• Exhaustion

Ayurvedic View

Mutra ashmari- Vega dharana (suppression of urge of micturition), not undergoing purification of body, apathya ahara (improper food), etc, all lead to three dosha prakopa, namely vata, pitta and kapha, all reach to mutravaha srotas (urinary system) leading to drying of mutra forming stone by vata dosha ruksha (drying) quality, kapha dosha's unctuous quality and pitta dosha's amlatva (acidic) quality results in stone. The Ayurveda way of approach is to bring dosha back to a balanced state, improve the function of the renal system, thereby helping to reduce the symptoms and prevent the recurrence of this disease by Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment and treatment done to the urinary system.