For patients —
Kidney stones
Urolithiasis is one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract and is characterized by the formation of urinary stones. These stones can occur in various parts of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, although they are most commonly found in the kidneys and ureters.
Kidney stones
Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are the most common types of urinary stones, accounting for approximately 70–80% of cases, followed by uric acid stones at around 10–15%. Urinary stones can form when certain substances in the urine, such as mineral salts or uric acid, become too concentrated and crystallize.
Risk factors that may contribute to the formation of urinary stones include:
- Incorrect diet
- low fluid intake
- Diseases such as metabolic disorders and recurrent urinary tract infections
- Smaller fragments (residual fragments) that remain in the urogenital tract after kidney stone therapy
Smaller kidney and urinary tract stones often do not cause any symptoms at first. They may pass naturally with the urine. However, some stones remain in the urinary tract, continue to grow, and may eventually cause symptoms. In such cases, treatment may become necessary. Colicky pain typically occurs when a stone becomes lodged in the ureter, blocking the normal flow of urine. The pain usually starts suddenly and occurs in waves. It may radiate from the flank to the back, lower abdomen, groin, or genital area. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and – particularly if the stone is located close to the bladder – an urgent need to urinate and pain or discomfort during urination. Fever, chills, and a significantly reduced or absent urine output are warning signs and should be assessed by a healthcare professional without delay.
If kidney stones are detected by imaging procedures such as ultrasound or X-ray, the doctor decides whether non-interventional or interventional therapy should be carried out. Non-interventional therapy involves waiting for the stone to pass spontaneously with regular monitoring and supportive medication. In interventional therapy, the kidney stones are fragmented using laser energy or shock waves and, depending on the procedure, actively removed using special instruments.
After treatment, measures are recommended to reduce the risk of kidney stones or urinary stones forming again. These measures may be tailored to the specific type of stone and can include adjustments to fluid intake, diet and lifestyle.
