Ureteric Stones: Symptoms, Types and Diagnosis

Urine travels from the kidney to the bladder through a tube known as the ureter. A ureter stone is a mineral mass in the ureter which might have originated in the kidney and travelled down in the ureter. The symptoms include pain, vomiting or nausea. The treatment can break or remove the ureteral stones in the body, and changes in the diet and medications can prevent them from forming again.

In this blog, Dr. Niren Rao discusses the symptoms, types and diagnosis of ureteric stones in detail. He is a renowned urologist at Delhi Urology Hospital and is known for performing the best Ureteric Stone Surgery in Delhi. Read on for more insights.

What are Ureteric Stones?

A ureteric stone is a kidney stone inside one of the ureters, which are tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. The stone develops in the kidney and is passed into the ureter from one of the kidneys. These stones are small in size. They may pass through the ureter and into the bladder, passing out of the body when one urinates. However, if the stone is too large to pass, it may block the urine flow and cause extreme pain. 

What are the Symptoms of Ureteric Stones?

The most common symptom of ureteric stones is severe pain. One might feel pain in the lower abdomen or the flank, which is the area of the back, under the ribs. The pain can range from mild and dull to extreme torturing. The pain will come and go and radiate to other areas. The other symptoms include: 

• blood in the urine

• pain during urination or a burning sensation

• the bad urge to pee or urinate 

• vomiting 

• nausea

• fever 

If one experiences any of these symptoms, one should immediately seek the help of a urologist to get effective treatment. 

What are the Types of Ureteric Stones?

The four main types of ureteric stones include the following: 

• Calcium stones: The most common type of ureteric stone is the calcium stone. They are divided into two types, i.e. calcium oxalate stones and phosphate stones.

• Uric acid stones: Uric acid stones are developed when there is too much uric acid in the urine.

• Struvite stones: Struvite stones form after one has had a UTI (urinary tract infection). Magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) and calcium carbon-apatite are the main types of struvite stones.

• Cystine stones: Cystine stones are caused due to a genetic disorder. Cystinuria causes the cystine and amino to leak out of the kidneys into the urine. Book a consultation with Dr. Niren Rao at Delhi Urology Hospital to learn about the types of ureteric stones. 

Which all Factors Increase the Risk of Developing Ureteric Stones?

• Family history: If one of the parents or siblings had ureteric stones, the chances of developing them increase. 

• Dehydration: If one does not have enough water, one produces a smaller amount of concentrated urine. One requires more urine for the salt to remain dissolved instead of hardening into cells. 

• Diet: Eating a diet high in salt, animal protein, and high-oxalate food may increase the risk of developing stones. Spinach, tea, chocolate, and almonds are among the foods high in oxalate. Overdosing on vitamin C might also put one at risk.

• Certain Medications: Different kinds of medications, including diuretics, steroids, and anticonvulsants, that risk the chances of developing stones. 

• Medical Conditions: One is likely to develop stones if there is a blockage in the urinary tract, gout, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, recurrent UTIs, etc.

How are Ureteric Stones Diagnosed?

If one is suffering from pain in the lower abdomen or has noticed blood in the urine, one can get some imaging tests done to diagnose stones. The two most common imaging tests for stones include:

• A computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan is the best option for identifying stones in the urinary tract. It creates cross-sectional images of the interior of the abdomen and pelvis using rotating X-ray devices.

• An ultrasound: An ultrasound does not use any radiation, unlike a CT scan. This procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to develop images of the inside of the body.

These tests can help the urologist determine the stone's size and location. They can develop the best treatment plan by assessing the size and location of the stone.

If one is searching for a urologist to treat ureteric stones, one can schedule an appointment with Dr. Niren Rao, the Best Urologist in Delhi at Delhi Urology Hospital. Consult today!