Renal colic is the pain associated with the presence of kidney stones in the bladder. A very common problem, this pain can vary in severity and is not the same in every case. Kidney stones can develop for a number of reasons, but a significant part of getting rid of them lies in understanding the symptoms. As mentioned before, not all cases are same; that said the symptoms concerning the condition are more or less the same.
Symptoms for renal colic typically include pain while passing urine. The stones which develop in the kidney pass down through the renal region into the bladder. As the presence of stones obstructs the walls of the bladder, any passage through it is blocked. And, this is the reason that causes the pain. The urine bladder is made to pass urine smoothly, but when stones are present, the natural ability to pass urine comfortably is compromised causing acute pain.
Renal colic is a very common kidney related problem and most of the diagnosis depends on the severity of symptoms described by the patient. For instance, in some the stones are not big enough to cause pain and pass out of the system over the usual course of time. But, in some the size of the stones is big which plays havoc with the general functioning of the system thus leading for a more detailed diagnosis. Stones that are not small enough to pass through the urinary tract have to be examined carefully.
This is where medical intervention is needed. Usually renal colic can be treated using pain killers. This happens when the pain migrates to other parts of the body apart from the bladder. Some patients who deal with renal colic complain pain in the abdomen, lower back, thighs and even in the genitals. If the severity continues, patients also report pain associated with blood in the urine. If the pain does not go away with painkillers and other non invasive methods, getting rid of the kidney stones with the help of surgery is inevitable.
Renal colic is a condition that can happen to anyone and because of the versatility of symptoms treatment cannot begin without proper diagnosis. In fact, the condition can exist even without the patient reporting any symptoms. The symptoms can vary from individual to individual; apart from pain one can also experience nausea followed by vomiting. In individuals where pain or no other strong symptom of the condition is detected, presence of the stones can be detected by conducting an X-ray or an ultrasound.
Reasons Why Renal Colic Occurs
Kidney stones, the other name for renal colic can develop for a number of reasons. The most common reason of them all is lack of water in the body. The kidneys which are an integral part of the excretory system in our body, are designed to dispose waste in regular intervals. When there is not enough water in the body to excrete in the form of urine, the kidneys use the existing level of water and use it as a medium to dispose the waste.
When this happens, urine formed voluntarily by the kidneys takes a more concentrated form and is thus thicker in consistency. Frequent occurrence of this can lead to the formation of kidney stones. This is the reason that patients who are predisposed to this condition are advised to take a lot of water, fluids and increase their intake of fiber food. This is however a preventive measure and cannot prove to be very effective once the condition is detected.
Renal colic is a condition that can develop as a result of frequent urinary tract problems also, the most common found to be urinary tract infection. People who suffer from urinary tract infections and don’t drink a lot of water suffer from higher risk of developing kidney stones than others.
Renal colic is related with a lot of pain and discomfort, and if you find yourself to be suffering from it, it is very important that you consult a specialist as soon as possible. Detecting the condition is not enough to dictate treatment. There needs to be a complete diagnosis of the problem with careful understanding of the symptoms leading to it. Symptomatic treatment usually offers relief, but if the condition remains to stay, proper medical intervention is unavoidable.
Kidney stones can develop in absolutely anyone. The first thing to do when you encounter any of the above mentioned symptoms is make note of the symptoms and visit your doctor. It is also important that when you talk to your doctor, you are very vocal about your concerns. Only when you are totally honest about how you feel and what symptoms you experience, the doctor can administer proper treatment.
If you think you are suffering from the condition but don’t have any symptoms to report, there is no reason to panic. Most stones that are formed in the kidneys pass through the bladder because of their size. But, if you experience anxiety or any feeling of heightened apprehension, it does not hurt to pay a visit to your specialist. As mentioned before, the problem of renal colic can go undetected for a long time till something suddenly happens.
Things You Can Do To Prevent Renal Colic
In general, it works out if you take care of your diet and make sure that you have enough water to keep your body hydrated. One big thing you can do to lower your chance aside from hydrating is to cycle in some lemon therapy. Have a lemon slice in your water once in awhile. Make sure you squeeze the lemon juice from the slice though. It doesn’t have to be fresh lemon juice. You can you bottled lemon juice in either the squeeze variety or a cap full from the bottle.
Keeping your genitals clean, making conscious efforts to stay active and keeping the general health of your body intact can help prevent kidney stones. If you do get in contact with the condition, just keep in mind that there is plenty of help available out there.
There is help in the form of information that can keep you in touch with the condition more closely. Information can help understand your condition, and this in turn can contribute to the progress of the treatment with the doctor. Renal colic is manageable provided you take care of your symptoms and choose your treatment options based on recommendations given by the specialist.