Urinary stone composition analysis (qualitative)

What is kidney stones?

Nephrolithiasis is a disease in which insoluble deposits, or stones, form in the urinary tract. Kidney stones can be present both in the kidney itself (usually in the calyx or renal pelvis), and can become displaced into further sections of the urinary tract, namely the ureter or bladder. The deposits underlying kidney stones can be composed of many, many different chemicals.

The most common symptom of kidney stones is a very severe bl called renal colic. The disease can also result in the development of rl health complications.

Nephrolithiasis is the most common symptom of kidney stones

Nephrolithiasis affects men more often than women. It is estimated to occur in about 10-12% of men and about 5% of women during their lifetime. In about half of patientsw it has a recurrent course. This means that patients are likely to experience symptomsof the disease several times during their lifetime.

Nephrolithiasis usually first manifests itself between the ages of 30 and 40.

Nephrolithiasis symptoms

The main, primary symptom of nephrolithiasis is extremely severe bl, whichry is sometimes described as one of the strongest bl experiences. This bl attack is known as renal colic-it results from the movement of kidney stones through the narrow lumen of the urinary tract. The bl usually localizes in the lumbar region and may radiate toward the pubic conjunctiva, genitalsly and the inner surface of the thigh-the exact area depends on the current location of the kidney stone. An attack of renal colic usually lasts 20 to 60 minutes and is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• pale skinry
• cold sweat
• nausea and vomiting
• strong urge to urinate, urinating in small amounts
• cirrhosis (sometimes)
• loss of consciousness

Possible complications of nephrolithiasis are urinary tract infections (as the mucous membranes damaged by the stones are more susceptible to bacterial infections) and urinary retention, whichó medical intervention is required.

Nephrolithiasis – what diagnostic tests?

The diagnosis of nephrolithiasis is usually made by a doctor on the basis of clinical symptomss, diagnostic imaging and a grossurinalysis.

The results of the ogl urine test depend on whether it was performed during a renal colic attack or during the so-called interictal period. If the test is performed during a colic attack, hematuria or hematuria (the presence of red blood cells in the urine) is detected in more than 80% of cases. Leukocyturia (the presence of leukocytesw) is often present. In addition, this test can detect an ongoing infection in the urinary tract – bacteriuria (the presence of bacteria in the urine).

Another test can be a quantitative evaluation of rible substances, performed in urine collected over a 24-hour period, the so-called daily urine collectionr. Most commonly, during a urinalysis for nephrolithiasis, levels of calcium, uric acid, oxalate and citrate are evaluated, with very often normal levels of more than one of these compounds exceeded.

The urinalysis can also be used to assess the level of calcium, uric acid, oxalate and citrate with very often normal levels of more than one of these compounds exceeded.

An additional diagnostic test thatre can be very useful in determining the cause of kidney stones are blood tests, whichre also designed to detect excessively high levelsof compounds thatre likely to be deposited in the form of kidney stones. It will be useful to assess serum concentrations of phosphorus, calcium, uric acid, among others. Of the ogl tests, you can perform morphology (increase in leukocytes ), protein CRP (indicator of inflammation).

Diagnostic imaging studies such as X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan are also helpful  to determine the location of kidney stones, their number and size  which is of significant value in the context of planning appropriate treatment.