Dr. Sudhir Khanna

The kidneys may be a pair of small organs but they perform a very important function. Without the kidneys, it is impossible to filter blood and remove toxins from the body. One of the common problems associated with kidneys is the development of a kidney stone. This can be described as a hard, pebble like substance that is formed when urine contains high levels of certain minerals. Kidney stones vary in size and shape. Small stones may pass through the ureter into the bladder and out of the body with minimal discomfort. However, in some cases, a kidney stone can be as large as a golf ball. In such cases, it can block the urine flow and cause extreme amounts of pain as well as bleeding. In such cases, a doctor needs to be consulted as early as possible.

There are four different types of kidney stones.

1. Calcium Stones: This is the most common type of kidney stones. It is caused by excess calcium that is not flushed out with the urine.
2. Uric acid stones: Highly acidic urine can trigger the development of such stones. This may be caused by excessive consumption of meat, fish and shell fish.
3. Struvite stones: This is often formed as a side effect of Urinary tract infections. These stones may develop and grow rapidly.
4. Cystine stones: These stones are formed as a result of a genetic disorder known as cystinuria. This disorder causes an amino acid known as cysteine to leak into the urine.

Kidney stones are a fairly common occurrence. It affects both men and women but men have a higher risk of developing kidney stones as compared to women. Other risk factors that can influence kidney stones are:

1. Family history of kidney stones
2. Not drinking enough water
3. Obesity
4. Digestive problems
5. Recurrent UTIs
6. Gout
7. Bowel inflammation
8. Disease that causes blockage of the urinary tract
9. Certain medications such as diuretics or calcium based antacids

Once a person has been diagnosed with a kidney stone, this issue can recur. Treatment for kidney stones depends on the type of stones, size and location. In most cases, medication is prescribed to help break the stone down into smaller parts so that it can pass through urine. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. If not treated in time, it can cause severe pain, bloody urine, UTIs that can further lead to kidney failure and reduced kidney functioning.

Kidney stones can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids and making a few dietary changes. Ideally, a person should have a minimum of 8-10 glasses of water a day. If you have a high risk of developing any type of kidney stones, reduce your sodium consumption and the amount of meat eaten.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

If a survey is done for the most common male sexual problem, the outcome would be erectile dysfunction. Commonly referred to as ED, it is a major problem for the male but it can be treated in simple ways.
By definition, ED is the repeated inability of a male to achieve and/or maintain an erection for a healthy and satisfying sexual relationship. The key word here is “repeated” as a quicker erection or softer erection is very common in many men, which could be a one-off instance and caused by transient factors like stress or lack of sleep. When this happens repeatedly, then it needs attention.

Symtoms: Erectile dysfunction is when:

1. Erection is too soft, not allowing for sufficient penetration and prolonged intercourse
2. Erection duration is very short
3. There is difficulty in arousal

Risk factors: ED has been noted to be commonly seen in people, who have following behaviours:

1. Smoking
2. Obesity
3. Advanced age (>60 years)
4. Excessive alcohol abuse
5. Sedentary lifestyle with no exercise
6. History of diabetes
7. Hypertension
8. Atherosclerosis
9. History of groin surgical procedures for prostate, bladder, etc.

Causes: ED has both physiological and psychological reasons.

• Most common psychological reasons are strained relationships, performance anxiety, and other life stressors.
• Physical causes include reduced hormone levels and other chronic medical conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Diagnosis: While ED is easy to diagnose medically, the truth is that not many would be forthcoming for a diagnosis. Given that this issue could be a jolt to the “manhood,” it is often not brought out in the open for discussion. Once that is done, the following steps can help in diagnosis.

1. Medical history and specifically sexual history
2. Check for genital abnormalities
3. Blood testosterone levels
4. Other vitals including blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels to identify overall health

Management:

1. Sexual counseling involving the couple. Once they open up and get comfortable, the problem vanishes. Performance anxiety which is a major cause is taken care of, and ED is no longer an issue. Aligning the couple’s expectations also is very essential.
2. Hormone supplements, both locally applied and taken into the system, help to a great extent
3. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, moderating alcohol abuse, healthy eating habits, and moving away from sedentary lifestyle helps treat ED
4. Medicines like Viagra are very useful for occasional cases of erectile dysfunction

As a last resort, there are advanced options like pumps, vacuum devices, implants, and surgical options, and implants. These are often not required, as in most cases, sexual counseling and hormone therapy help in managing ED.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!