Are kidney stones common in females?
Kidney stones are the hard crystals that grow in the kidney. The size of the kidney stones depends, it can be smaller like a pea and can be smaller than a pea. The high concentration of oxalate, calcium, uric acid, and phosphorus in the urine becomes the reason for hard formation stones in the kidney. Calcium-containing stones are usually the most common form of kidney stones.
People usually have misconceptions that only men can get kidney stones, but the reality is different and opposite. The rates of kidney stones are rising among women. This misconception has failed because adult and middle-aged women are more prone to have kidney stones. These kidney stones become a reason for the difficulty in pregnancy among women. The studies have shown that one in 10 men are likely to get stones, whereas one in 12 women gets kidney stones.
Symptoms
Regardless of gender, symptoms of kidney stones pain are similar for men and women. They have to bear pain in the back. Vomiting, nausea, and fever are a major indication of kidney stones. A suffering person may undergo radiating pain into the groin and notice blood in the urine. A severe type of pain in the whole body is observed in patients with kidney stones.
Why are women at higher risk?
Obese women
Can women get kidney stones? Yes, they do, and the research investigates that women between the age of 18 to 39 tend to have more symptoms of kidney stones. Obese women are more inclined to get kidney stones. It has been analyzed that if a woman is obese, diabetic, and has other medical conditions, then it is difficult to treat the kidney stones, and they are more likely to have urinary tract infections.
Diet
Diet has a major role that makes a person at high risk in which a high salt diet and the diet high in sugar increase the risk of kidney stones. These types of diets taken by women get kidney stones at some point in their life. Another study shows that women who take high fiber in the diet, fruits, and vegetables and keep the concentration of sugar low in their diet don’t get stones more often. Unfortunately, a high fiber diet and fruits don’t work once you get the stone in your kidney.
Women’s health is associated with each factor, from diet to other medical conditions. These factors affect and worsen the condition caused by kidney stones. But there are several treatments to treat kidney stones.
Kidney treatments
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Medication
Medication is prescribed by the doctor to lower the pain and inflammation caused by the blockage from stones. These medications can break down the small size of kidney stones and help them pass on their own through the urine. If the kidney stones have bigger sizes and can’t pass out from the urine through the medication, other treatments need to be explored.
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Medical expulsion therapy
A medical expulsion therapy trial can be chosen to treat some stones if their size is less than one centimeter and present in the ureter. The smooth muscle in the ureter will be relaxed by the medicine during this therapy trial. The passage of the stone will be enabled into the bladder. Pregnant women should know the risks and side effects while opting for pain management.
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Laser lithotripsy
Laser lithotripsy is one of the most common treatment options to treat kidney stones. The doctors will give general anesthesia in this treatment. Then they will insert a small instrument into the urethra. In this surgical approach, no incisions are needed. They use a laser beam that breaks down the stone into small fragments so they can be removed through the ureter. Usually, women prefer laser lithotripsy to get rid of kidney stones.