Treatment for Kidney stones varies depending on the size and type of the stone or the symptoms caused by it. In case of small stones, medication and simple changes in lifestyle can be enough to treat it, but surgeries and extensive treatments are required if symptoms are severe. 

Following are treatment options for kidney stones:

Small stones with minimal symptoms 
1. Drinking water
Drinking around 3 liters of water a day will regulate your urinary system and can effectively eliminate small stones. Unless your doctor advices otherwise, drinking ample amount of fluids, usually water, is one of the commonest way to get rid of small kidney stones. 

2. Pain relievers
There might be a considerable amount of pain and discomfort associated with passing the stone through urine. Your doctor may recommend pain killers like Ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium or acetaminophen. 

3. Medical therapy
In order to eliminate the kidney stone, your doctor may administer medical therapy. Medication like alpha blocker helps in passing the kidney stone with least pain and more quickly. It relaxes the muscles in the ureter and makes the process relatively easy. 

Large stones with severe symptoms
 
1. Using sound waves to break up stones 
In this technique, a procedure called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), is employed. ESWL uses the help of sound waves to create vibrations which breaks the stones in smaller pieces. This procedure takes about an hour and can cause mild pain and discomfort. Your doctor may administer sedatives to reduce your sensitivity. ESWL has side effects like blood in urine or bruising in the abdomen. 

2. Surgical removal of kidney stones 
Surgical removal of stones is done with the help of a procedure called nephrolithotomy. It uses small telescopes and other instruments which are inserted in your back through a small incision. It is generally done in case of large stones and when ESWL fails. 

3. Ureteric Calculi (Using a scope to remove stones) 
A thin illuminated tube called ureteroscope is used to remove a comparatively smaller stone in the kidney or ureter. The ureteroscope is equipped with a tiny camera which determines the location of the stone which is then broken into pieces with the help of other instruments. It may require general or regional anesthesia.

Treatments For Kidney Stones

Problems of the large intestine are very common and patients should usually consult gastroenterologists for the proper diagnosis and treatment

1. Bleeding per rectum: Bleeding through the anal canal or rectum is usually the most common problem of the patients. It can be due to following reasons: 

A. Piles also known as Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids are dilated venous channels of the anal canal. They occur due to long term constipation or chronic cough or due to less fibre intake in the diet. Sigmoidoscopy or proctoscopy is required for diagnosis. Treatment options include medicines and high fibre intake, Injection therapy(Sclerotherapy) for stopping bleeding from piles and Stapler hemorrhoidectomy if the piles are large.

B.  Polyps: Polyps are soft tissue growths seen in the large intestine. They are usually silent but can present with bleeding or anaemia. Polyps usually grow slowly in size and large polyps can turn into cancer of large intestine also known as colorectal carcinoma. Colonoscopy is required for the diagnosis. The gastroenterologists can diagnose the presence of polyps by colonoscopy. Smaller polyps can be removed by polypectomy by gastroenterologists without the need for open surgery. However large polyps or those polyps with suspicion of cancer require surgery.

C. Large intestine Ulcer: They can occur due to early cancer, SRUS, Infections or drugs. They require colonoscopy for the diagnosis. The gastroenterologists usually take Biopsy from the ulcer to know the cause of the ulcer. The mere taking of biopsy does not mean cancer and biopsy samples are seen in the microscope for better diagnosis.

D. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn s disease: Ulcerative colitis is one form of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other IBD is known as Crohn s disease. Whereas ulcerative colitis involves only large intestine, Crohn s disease can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract including small intestine. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn s disease present with Loose stools(diarrhea), bleeding , abdominal pain, weight loss, Anemia and Perianal fissures and  fistula. The diagnosis of IBD is challenging and involves blood tests, CT Scan abdomen, Colonoscopy with biopsy and clinical history. Management includes Medicines which control the inflammation such as Pentasa, Rowasa, Mesacol etc. Severe disease requires additional drugs such as Azathioprine and Anti TNF sich as Infliximab and Adalimumab. Occasional cases require surgery such as those with tight stricture of the intestine, severe dilatation of Large intestine (also known as Toxic megacolon), excessive bleeding, the disease not responding to medical management, or presence of cancer with IBD.

E. Anal fissures: Cut in the anal skin (fissure) causes severe pain in the anal area during passing motions. It is usually due to constipation or straining. It is usually treated by Gastroenterologists initially by medicines and ointments. If the pain continues Surgery is required named as Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS).

2. Loose motions or Diarrhea: Excessive passing of liquid motions is known as diarrhea or commonly lose motions. It is usually due to Infections caused by contaminated food and water. It is usually self-limiting. Severe cases with dehydration require admission for IV fluids and antibiotics for the infection. Loose motions for more than 6 to 8 weeks is known as chronic diarrhea. It is evaluated by blood tests and colonoscopy. Usual causes include tuberculosis, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, microscopic colitis, Malabsorption such as chronic pancreatitis and small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

3. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is very common and at least 20 to 30 percent of Indian patients suffer from it. Symptoms include altered bowel habits such as diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal pain which is usually relieved or increased by defecation. Weight loss or bleeding is not the feature of IBS. Few simple blood tests are required and good medicines are now available for IBS. Few cases may require colonoscopy to rule out alternative causes of the symptoms.

Understanding colonoscopy: Colonoscope is a flexible tube with a camera at its tip to see the inside of the large and small intestine. Bowel preparation is required at least 8 hours before the procedure so that the inside of the large intestine can be seen clearly without the interference of stools.colonoscopy is an OPD based procedure where the patients are discharged the same day. A colonoscopy helps in evaluation symptoms of the large intestine such as loose stools, bleeding and abdominal pain.

In Detail About Colorectal Disorders!

Kidneys are an important part of the human body. From filtering wastes from the blood to maintaining the blood pressure and red blood cell count in the body, the kidney does it all. Both the kidneys are essential organs and should there be any discomfort in the kidneys, one should consult a medical practitioner as soon as possible. Kidney failure is a common problem in people. This issue manifests itself with certain signs and symptoms. One should listen to these symptoms and act quickly before the condition worsens. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of kidney failure.

Interestingly, in the initial stages, kidney failure portrays no symptoms. It starts developing slowly and steadily causing discomfort in other parts of the body and hindering the working of other organs.

Weakness: If you are suffering from kidney failure, you will start feeling weak. Weakness is however not a symptom which can confirm a kidney failure. Weakness is caused due to many other health issues and thus, you need to verify with other symptoms to be sure of the fact that you are suffering from kidney failure only.

Shortness of Breath: You may start experiencing heavy breathing right after doing some rigorous work. In fact, you might feel shortness of breath or be panting for long moments after climbing just a set of stairs. Shortness of breath is quite common indicating that the body is getting tired after doing work. Such indication, more than once a day, calls for an immediate check up of the body.

Lethargy: While most people, especially the young generation to those in the early thirties jokingly declare themselves as lazy people; lethargy, however, is a symptom of many diseases. Various health issues develop if you feel lethargic of working. Apart from kidney failure, diabetes is also manifested in lethargic body movements. At times, just getting out of the bed in the morning seems very tiring and one continues to lie on the bed even after he/she is fully awake.

Stomach Pain: If you experience pain in the stomach, especially in the sides, then it should be immediately checked by a medical practitioner. Doctors say that kidney failure can bring about stomach pains.

Unusual Urine Discharges: This would include clear urine discharges which indicate that the kidney has stopped filtering the waste products.

Thus, these are some of the most important and common symptoms of kidney failure. If you notice any of these, it is advised to visit a doctor for a check up.

Symptoms of Kidney Failure

Glomerulonephritis is a disease that is caused due to inflammation of the small filters that are present within the kidneys or glomeruli. Glomeruli eliminate the excess waste, electrolytes and fluids from the blood, discharged through urine. A glomerular disease can be either acute or chronic. If the condition arises without a combination of any other disease, it is termed as primary glomerulonephritis. Secondary glomerulonephritis is characterized by diabetes or lupus (an auto-immune disorder) being at the root of the disease. Prolonged or severe inflammation can take a toll on the kidneys.


Causes-


Nephrotic syndrome can be primary, being a disease specific to the kidneys, or it can be secondary, being a renal manifestation of a systemic general illness. In all cases, injury to glomeruli is an essential feature. Kidney diseases that affect tubules and interstitium, such as interstitial nephritis, will not cause nephrotic syndrome.


Primary causes of nephrotic syndrome include the following, in approximate order of frequency:
Minimal -change nephropathy
Focal glomerulosclerosis
Membranous nephropathy
Hereditary nephropathies


Secondary causes include the following, again in order of approximate frequency:
Diabetes mellitus
Lupus erythematosus
Viral infections (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] )
Amyloidosis and paraproteinemias
Preeclampsia
Allo-antibodies from enzyme replacement therapy


Nephrotic- range proteinuria may occur in other kidney diseases, such as IgA nephropathy. In that common glomerular disease, one third of patients may have nephrotic- range proteinuria.


Nephrotic syndrome may occur in persons with sickle cell disease and evolve to renal failure. From a therapeutic perspective, nephrotic syndrome may be classified as steroid sensitive, steroid resistant, steroid dependent, or frequently relapsing.


Treatment-
Whether one is suffering from acute or chronic nephrotic glomerular , with symptoms moderate or severe, the treatment lies in treating high blood pressure and other underlying conditions of the disease.
Water pills help control sweating, thus increasing the fluid flushed from the kidneys.
Statins reduce cholesterol level.
Blood thinners such as anticoagulants lower the risk of blood clots.
Corticosteroids regulate the immune system and ease the inflammation that results from kidney disorders.
Incorporating certain lifestyle changes such as opting for lean proteins, cutting on the intake of fat in the diet and consuming lesser amounts of salt can treat inflammation and swelling.
For kidney failure, dialysis can come to the aid in eliminating excess fluids and regulating hypertension.


Nephrotic Syndrome: Causes and Treatment

Causes of bladder control problems in women

Urinary incontinence is the term used to describe bladder control problems that affect several people. Many think it only occurs among older, menopausal women but it actually isn't uncommon amid young and active women.

Inability to control the bladder accompanied by pain can be symptomatic of various disorders ranging from a minor infection to cancer. Fortunately, bladder cancer is rare, and bladder pain is usually not serious.

The varied causes of urinary incontinence in women are as follows:

1) Urinary Tract Infection - This is the most common cause of urinary incontinence and it affects women more than men due to anatomical factors. It can also happen at any age.

2) Medicinal Side Effect: The inability to control one's bladder may be a result of the administration of certain medicinal substances such as alpha-blockers, antidepressants, sleeping pills and various narcotics.

3) Changes in the Reproductive System - Pregnancy and fluctuations in hormone levels can cause bladder irritation, which leads to urinary incontinence.

4) Impacted Stool - When stool gets tightly packed in the lower end of the digestive system and rectum, bladder control is affected. Chronic constipation and constraint strain on the lower intestines leads to the weakening of bladder muscles and hampers the bladder control.

5) Surgical Side Effects - Temporary loss of control of the bladder is often a result of prior surgery and radiation therapy in the pelvic region.

6) Nerve Damage and Neurological Disorders - Strokes and spinal cord injuries have a heavy impact on bladder control and amount to urinary incontinence. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis also lead to the same.

7) Health Complications - Disorders such as diabetes and obesity directly affect the bladder and the ability to exercise control over it.

8) Disability and Impaired Mobility - For women who are physically impaired and suffer from problems of arthritis, urinary incontinence is a major problem as they are unable to reach the toilet easily.

9) Bladder Cancer - Even though it is extremely rare, bladder cancer affects a number of women every year and is treated through surgery and chemotherapy.



What Causes Bladder Control Problems in Women?

Dialysis refers to the medical procedure that removes toxins, solutes, and excess water from the blood in patients whose kidneys cannot perform the blood filtration process naturally. Dialysis is advised to those patients who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney failure (CKF) or chronic kidney disease. In such cases, the kidneys of the patient lose their ability to expel the body s waste in the form of urine, which is a case of kidney failure. The condition of kidney failure is fatal in nature and this is why dialysis (artificial urine removal) is prescribed but it is highly uncomfortable to the patient and is also costly. This is why patients do not want to get dependent on dialysis and look for other remedies as once one gets on dialysis, there is no looking back. There is no allopathic medicine that can cure kidney failure and restore its normal functions. 

A kidney transplant is the only option but if one takes recourse to homeopathy, a cure is possible. Homeopathy does not offer a replacement for dialysis but it does have medicines that can restore the damaged kidneys to the normal state. 

How?
Well, homeopathic medicines work in three ways   they control the conditions that cause damage to the kidneys and thus, prevent further damage to the kidneys, they remove the root cause of renal failure, and they strengthen the immune system of the patient, helping the organs of the body to perform normal functions without any problem. Homeopathic medicines have worked in many patients and when the treatment is done under watchful and expert eyes, the patient can start experiencing relief within a few weeks. After some months, the patient can get rid of their kidney problem completely and lead a normal life. Homeopathic medicines have many advantages over dialysis and allopathic treatment, including the following:

Homeopathic treatment course has a shorter duration in comparison to allopathy that can stretch for the lifetime of the patient. The former takes two to five years, depending on the severity of kidney failure, to cure the patient.
Homeopathy does not have any side effects but dialysis and kidney transplant are painful for the patient and also take a toll on the body. Though transplant is a popular remedy, it may not be successful and is not advisable for all patients with renal failure.
Homeopathy is cost-effective whereas dialysis is expensive.
Homeopathy aids those patients who have a high rejection percentage of a new kidney (who are looking to get kidney transplant). If such patients take homeopathic medicines, then this percentage can come down.
Homeopathy works in a holistic manner. It also treats the tumors and cysts of the kidney, which allopathy does not. The former also takes care of disorders and diseases associated with renal failure such as diabetes and hypertension, an advantage that is missing in the case of latter.
Some homeopathy remedies that are known to cure kidney failure include Aconyte, Apocynum, Belladonna, Digitalis, Kali chloricum, and Phosphorous. These medicines can be taken on a normal basis by patients but it is recommended to consult an expert homeopathic practitioner for the treatment of renal failure. Such a practitioner can diagnose and treat the problem accurately and in lesser time.

Dialysis Can Be Stopped By Homeopathy!

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