Kidney stones can recur even after treatment: Dr Saleem Wani

Srinagar, Oct 23: Kidney stones can recur even after treatment, making regular medical follow-up and preventive care essential, senior urologist Dr Saleem Wani said here on Friday, urging people not to panic but to seek timely medical advice and avoid ignoring the condition.
Speaking about kidney stones, Dr Wani explained that the condition has been known for centuries, with evidence of kidney stones also found in ancient ‘Egyptian mummies’.
He said several factors contribute to stone formation, including dietary habits, while calcium-based stones, particularly calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones, are among the most common types. “Uric acid stones may also develop in association with dietary and metabolic factors, including high animal-protein intake,” he said.
The senior urologist said some stones are associated with urinary tract infections and are known as struvite or infection stones. He also referred to staghorn calculi, large stones that can occupy a substantial part of the kidney and require careful medical evaluation.
Explaining the symptoms, Dr Wani said kidney stones may cause pain in the back, side or waist region, while some patients may experience urinary symptoms. However, stones can sometimes remain unnoticed and are detected during investigations, including ultrasound examinations.
“The formation of a kidney stone does not necessarily mean it will be the last episode, as recurrence is possible whether a previous stone was removed surgically or passed with medical management,” he said, adding that the risk of recurrence varies from patient to patient and depends on factors such as the type of stone, underlying causes and whether one or both kidneys are affected.
Patients should therefore remain under medical supervision even after treatment, he added.
Dr Wani said treatment depends on the size, location and type of stone, as well as the patient’s condition. “While some stones may pass without surgery under medical supervision, others may require a procedure or surgery,” he said, advising patients against deciding on treatment without consulting an expert doctor.
The doctor further stressed the importance of identifying why stones form in the first place, saying appropriate investigations and preventive measures can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Kidney stones, medically known as ‘renal calculi’ or nephrolithiasis, form when minerals and salts in urine crystallise and accumulate. The main types include calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite and cystine stones. Diagnosis may involve medical assessment, urine and blood tests and imaging such as ultrasound or CT scans. (KNO)