What are the Risk factors for developing Kidney Stones

Kidney Stones are one of the common problems associated with our Kidneys. They are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the Kidneys. Kidney Stones can form in various sizes and are of various types. Some of the types which are observed quite often are Calcium Stones, Struvite Stones and Uric Acid Stones.

Normally the smaller size stones are diluted and can be thrown out of the body through the urine. But larger the size, more difficult it becomes to remove them out of the body. This might require a visit to an Urologist or a Kidney Stone Specialist. There are certain factors that lead to the formation of Kidney Stones. Let’s take a look at some of them.

·         Dehydration

One of the most common causes for the risk of developing Kidney stones is lack of sufficient quantity of water in your body. This condition is referred to as Dehydration.

·         Diet

High percentage of Sodium in your diet can increase the risk of forming kidney stones. Frequent researches have proven that having a sodium rich diet can increase your risk of certain types of kidney stones.

·         Family or personal history

Another widely found reason for formation of kidney stones is family history. If someone in your family has had kidney stones, you're more likely to develop stones than someone without a family history.

·         Obesity

It is increasingly being observed that being overweight leads to increased risk of forming Kidney Stones.

In addition to the above, certain disorders associated with our digestive system as well as Urinary Tract Infections can contribute to the development of stones in the Kidney. While the problem associated with Kidney Stones can vary with the size of the stone, but if diagnosed early, there are treatments available to get rid of the stones.

The Kidney Stone Removal cost in Bangalore is associated with the complexity of the situation. Should it warrant a surgical intervention, then the cost is a little bit higher. However, Urologists decide on the mode of treatment depending on the symptoms presented.

There are many good centres offering successful treatments for Kidney Stones. However, one centre which has made a difference than the rest has been NU Hospitals in Bangalore. With a fine blend of technology and expertise, NU Hospitals has a perfect team of Kidney Stone specialists in Bangalore, who have successfully solved the most critical cases related to Kidney Stones. The speciality of Urologists here continues to be identifying the root cause and successfully eliminating the problem.

How Smoking can affect 5 Urologic Conditions

Smoking has been a visible reason for a healthy individual to suffer many serious health consequences.  Cardiac and respiratory problems apart, researches have shown that smoking can even create an imbalance in the smooth functioning of your kidneys. Urology Specialists in Bangalore have been seeing an upward trend in Urologic conditions being influenced by smoking.  It is therefore a good idea to educate ourselves on the ill effects of smoking and to highlight that, here are 5 known Urologic conditions that can have an adverse impact due to heavy smoking.

1. Infertility: This is a common problem continued to be faced by couples all over the world.  It is increasingly observed that Smoking can have a serious effect on the ability of women to conceive. It has also been noted that the infertility rate in smokers is two times higher than in non-smokers.  Best Urology Doctors from NU Hospitals, one of the leading care centres for Urologic disorders in Bangalore, have even seen smoking to have adverse effect on In-Vitro Fertilization, the vastly recommended treatment for Infertility, even if one of the partner is a habitual smoker.

2. Kidney Cancer: Urology Specialists in Bangalore have attributed Smoking to be one of the most threatening reasons behind developing Kidney Cancer. Though there are other factors that can contribute to Kidney Cancer like Age, Obesity and generic factors, Smoking has been considered as a critical reason behind patients presenting themselves with high risk Kidney Cancer.

3. Bladder Cancer: one of the common types of cancer increasingly being noted especially in males is Bladder Cancer. Studies indicate that tobacco is the main cause behind the alarming increase in Bladder cancer. Frequent smokers, especially males, possess a 4 to 5 time greater risk to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers.

4. Erectile Dysfunction: One of the successful hospitals in treating complex cases with Erectile Dysfunction is NU Hospitals in Bangalore.  Best Urology doctors of Bangalore who form an expert team at NU Hospitals have attributed smoking cigarrates to be one of the main reasons to face this problem which is due to poor supply of blood to the Penis, the male reproductive organ.

5. Overactive Bladder: This is another common problem which causes conditions like frequent urination and disturbance in sleep. One of the major irritants to an otherwise normally functioning bladder is Smoking

Quitting Smoking can go a long way in helping you de stress yourself from facing any likelihood of developing a urologic disorder. 

What are the symptoms of Kidney problems or disease?

If I am asked a question to name three most important and critical organs of our body, then I will definitely have kidneys in that list. This is because; kidneys play a very important role in removing waste products from our body in the form of urine. But, despite having some knowledge about it, most of us are not responsible towards taking care of them and in turn end up suffering kidney related problems. Hence, it is always good to stay alert and take care, when we experience those first probable signals of discomfort.

You may now ask me what those signals are and when is the right moment to see a doctor? Usually and unfortunately too, serious problems related to kidneys are identified at a very late stage. But there is no cause for alarm. A regular, simple blood test to find out the level of serum creatinine in your blood can give you a fair idea about how your kidneys are functioning.

However, even though creatinine levels may be well within range, it is not a very good idea to ignore any of these conditions, if you face on a consistent basis. These could well turn out to be possible symptoms for kidney related problems;

·         You experience a rapid loss of weight and loose appetite.

·         Due to build-up of excess fluid in your ankles, feet or even hands, there is swelling in these areas.

·         You experience shortness of breath for a period of more than one month.

·         You tend to feel tired, weak and fatigued.

·         Frequent urge to pass urine especially during night times

·         You find it difficult to get a sound sleep or experience frequent loss of sleep called as insomnia.

·         You develop skin rashes and itchy skin.

·         Sometimes, you may experience cramps in your muscles.

·         You experience frequent headaches which are on and off.

·         In case of men when you face a medical condition called as erectile dysfunction or impotence.

The bottom line

Kidney problems can cause serious health issues if not diagnosed at the correct time. Hence, it is always good to see your doctor if you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms. A stitch in time saves nine. Hence, help your kidneys, to help you stay healthy!

What are the symptoms of Kidney Stones?

One of the common and troublesome problems associated with kidneys is Kidney Stones. They are hard collection of salts and minerals formed inside the kidney. Minerals accumulate in your urine mainly if you do not have enough quantity of water inside your body.

Kidney stones can vary in sizes from an inch to several inches. They can be very painful and take a dangerous shape, if not treated earlier. 

How do you know whether you have a kidney stone or not? 

Watch out for these symptoms and see a doctor, if they get out of control.

·       You are likely to develop pain in your back, belly or side. Usually you may attribute this pain to a stress or a strain or even a muscle spasm. But it could be much worse than that. This pain can be so immense that it could block the passage of urine out of your body. You may feel this pain or and off with the same intensity.

·      Kidney stones can move within your urinary tract. An effect of this is seen when you feel a burning sensation or pain while passing urine. This sharp pain can well be one of the symptoms.

·      Frequent urge to visit the washroom is another symptom you may experience.  This could increase either during the day or night.

·      Another very common symptom noticed for kidney stones is the presence of blood in the urine. The colour of the blood might be either red or brown.

·        You are likely to observe a cloudy appearance of your urine or even experience foul smell emitting out of your urine. This can be an early indication of a possible kidney stone.

·     Fever and Chills accompanying the pain, if experienced, needs to be attended immediately. This can well be a sign of the presence of a kidney stone or a urinary tract infection.

The Bottom Line

Kidney Stones can be very painful and unbearable. Some stones which are not very big in size might get dissolved and move out along with urine. Others bigger in size might lead to more complications if not attended to early. Call your doctor and get medical help if the pain becomes very unbearable and troublesome.

Know About the Prostate and The Problems Associated with It

 

The prostate is the most critical male reproductive organ which helps produce semen and is situated below the bladder. The only way for a doctor to feel the prostate during diagnosis is to perform a rectal examination. As men age, the size of their prostate considerably increases as part of a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (or BHP) which leads to complications later in life. Prostate enlargement can also cause urinary problems, sometimes even leading to chances of contracting prostate cancer. However, those suffering from BPH may not require urgent treatment as only those exhibiting crucial symptoms may have to visit a doctor. Mild cases may be treated with medication, however, surgery might be required if the patient is suffering from an extreme condition/case.

Alongside BPH, there are other conditions as well related to cancer, which may affect men (both in their middle and later ages) significantly, sometimes even requiring them to undergo proper treatment for prostate cancer. Other conditions related to the prostate include Prostatitis: this is caused by prostate inflammation and would need a professional Urology Consultant in Bangalore. This condition can lead to formation of pus in the prostate. In this case, a doctor would be looking at draining the pus out of the prostate. However, in case of chronic prostatitis, the disease may linger for a considerable amount of time and can only be managed with prolonged medication.

Prostate Cancer

Although it may sound and appear to be concerning, prostate cancer varies in intensity, and hence, follows a very slow-paced growth. A doctor would usually first conduct a rectal examination to detect the cancer and its stage along with PSA, also known as Prostate Specific Antigen. PSA is almost like a blood test that measures the chemical released from the prostate. Although an increased PSA result doesn’t guarantee cancer, it is advisable to discuss the report with an experienced urologist or Urology Consultant in Bangalore.

Treatment for Prostate Cancer

If the cancer is still in its early stages, the doctor would choose to do nothing immediately and just continuously monitor the growth. Being a slow-spreading disease, this cancer takes years before its impact becomes more noticeable or permeable. However, if the cancer has spread considerably, and is in the final stages, there are a range of treatment options to choose from such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and using novel hormones that can effectively contain the spread.

Kidney Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

 

The kidneys are two organs that bean-shaped. Each of them is the size of a fist. They’re located at the back on either side of your spine. The kidneys are often an ignored part of the body but with very essential jobs. Other than filtering out wastes from the blood and make urine it also releases certain hormones.

Kidney cancer is the type of cancer that begins in the kidneys. There are different types of cancer that can affect your kidneys.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It starts in the section of the kidney that cleans the blood and urine is collected. Among children, Wilms' tumour, is the type of cancer than develops in their kidneys.

Causes Of Kidney Cancer

It’s unclear what exactly causes kidney cancer. Experts and doctors know that the cancer begins when certain kidney cells start developing changes or mutate in their DNA. This change and mutated cells behind to change and grow rapidly and abnormally. When these abnormal cells begin to accumulate together they form a tumour in the kidney. Some cells may break off and spread to other parts of the kidney or organs. This spreading is called metastasising.

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer

There are no obvious signs for kidney cancer in its early stages. However, as the cancer gets more serious, the symptoms may include:

• Back pain especially below your ribs
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in the abdomen
• Bloated abdomen
• Lump in the abdomen
• Tiredness
• Recurring fevers
• Sudden weight loss
• Anaemia

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Diagnosis Of kidney cancer

To understand the severity and where the cancer is, the doctor needs your and your family’s medical history and perform a physical exam. NU Hospitals has some of the best urologists in Bangalore who also refer and treat types of kidney cancer. In a thorough check-up, the doctor will watch for swelling in the abdominal or a lump there.

Here are some of the tests the specialists at NU Hospitals may require to run for detecting kidney cancer:

Complete blood count

A hormone called erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys, stimulates the generation of red blood cells. A blood count report will either indicate polycythemia, which is when the blood cell count is high, or low, which would indicate anaemia.

Blood chemistry tests

This type of tests aids in revealing how well the kidneys are functioning. The levels of some types of chemicals in the blood may be influenced by kidney cancer.

Urinalysis

This test shows if there’s any other sign of infection and if blood’s present in the urine.

Imaging tests of the abdomen and kidneys

An ultrasound, MRI, X-Ray, CT Scan can show the size and shape of your kidneys. These tests help the doctor understand the location, size and consistency of the tumour.

Kidney biopsy

In certain situations, the doctor may advise a procedure wherein a small sample of cells (biopsy) will be removed from a suspected part of the kidney. This sample is then examined in a lab to look for signs of cancer.

It is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle to minimize the risk of developing cancer. And seeking treatment in case of any back pain or abnormalities in urine, or other signs.

Kidney Health And Kidney Disease Basics

 

The kidneys are often the most ignored and forgotten organ of our body. This pair of fist-sized organs are positioned at the bottom of the rib cage of the back. There is one kidney on either side of the spine.

To maintain a healthy body, it is essential that the kidney function that its optimum levels. Since, they are essentially responsible for filtering out toxins like waste products, excess water, and other impurities out of the blood. These toxins come through the kidneys to the bladder which is then removed during the urine. They play a large role in the upkeep of health by balancing pH, salt, and potassium levels in the body. They also secrete hormones that control the blood pressure and the creation of red blood cells. A form Vitamin D is stimulated by the kidneys to help the body absorb calcium.

So when the kidneys come under any duress or are damaged by lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking and lack of physical activity the kidneys will not be able to function well enough for the body’s upkeep. The damage may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other long-term health issues. Kidney disease can contribute to the worsening of other health problems, including weakened bones, neural damage, and malnutrition. That’s why it is essential to get kidney disease treatment if one already has kidney issues. Early detection can prevent the kidney from getting further damaged.

If these kidney diseases or health issues that damage the kidneys are not checked and treated in time, over time the kidney may be irreversibly damaged and may even stop working completely. This is also called chronic kidney disease. That’s why kidney specialists in Bangalore urge the patients to take better care of this often forgotten organ.

Types of kidney diseases:

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, describes the gradual loss of kidney functions. At the point when it has reached a serious stage, high levels of fluid, electrolytes and toxin and waste will build up the body. The severity of the disease will gradually advance to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal without dialysis that is artificially filtering out the toxins in the blood or with a kidney transplant.

Kidney Stones

This common kidney disease is easily treatable but may require surgery if left untreated. Kidney stones occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallize in the kidneys to form solid masses akin to stones. These stones usually pass out of the body through urine. The passing urine tends to be painful but doesn’t usually cause any significant problems. However, in case the size of the stones are too large to pass through urine, surgery as per doctor’s recommendation may be required.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis occurs because of an inflammation of the glomeruli which are extremely small structures inside the kidneys that filter the blood. This type of disorder may be caused by infections, drugs, or problems are congenital. It often gets better on its own.

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) another common issue that easily treated by some of the best urology specialists in Bangalore. This is caused by bacterial infections in any part of the urinary system. Because UTI is easily treatable they seldom lead to any other health problems. However, if left untreated and ignored, the infections can spread to the kidneys and is known to have caused kidney failure.

Polycystic kidney disease

This is a genetic problem that leads to the formation of several cysts which are small sacs of fluid to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can block the proper functioning of the kidney and invariably cause kidney failure.

To avoid the threat of any of these kidney issues from happening one must keep a healthy lifestyle and maintain follow up appointments and not miss the medications as prescribed by the doctor.