Disease
Kidney Stones, medically known as Nephrolithiasis, are hard crystalline deposits that form inside the kidneys when certain minerals and salts in the urine become highly concentrated. These stones can vary in size, from tiny grains that pass unnoticed to large, painful formations that block urine flow and cause severe discomfort.
The kidneys filter waste and excess substances from the blood to produce urine. However, when there’s too much waste and not enough fluid to dilute it, these particles can crystallize and stick together, gradually growing into stones. Depending on where they form and move, stones can affect not just the kidneys but also the ureters, bladder, or urethra, leading to a spectrum of urinary tract complications.
There are different types of kidney stones, classified based on their composition:
Calcium stones: The most common, formed from calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate.
Uric acid stones: Common in people with gout or those who consume high-purine diets (like red meat and shellfish).
Struvite stones: Usually linked to chronic urinary tract infections.
Cystine stones: A rare, hereditary type caused by excessive cystine in the urine.
While kidney stones are often associated with sharp pain, some may remain “silent,” discovered incidentally on scans done for other reasons.
Dr Anish Kr. Saha treats kidney stones care goes beyond emergency management. His philosophy emphasizes comprehensive evaluation, identifying the cause behind stone formation, preventing recurrence, and protecting overall kidney health.
Every case is treated as unique with customized investigation, dietary advice, medical therapy, and, when necessary, minimally invasive procedures. The goal is not just to remove the stone, but to prevent the next one.
Symptoms
Kidney stones may not cause symptoms until they start moving within the kidney or into the ureter, the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder. Once they move, they can obstruct urine flow, causing intense and often excruciating pain.
Common symptoms include:
Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs: The pain may come in waves and fluctuate in intensity.
Pain radiating to the lower abdomen or groin: As the stone moves through the urinary tract.
Pain during urination (dysuria): A burning or stinging sensation when urinating.
Pink, red, or brown urine (hematuria): Blood in urine caused by irritation of the urinary tract.
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine: A possible sign of infection.
Nausea and vomiting: Due to the intensity of pain or blockage.
Frequent urination or urge to urinate: Especially if the stone is near the bladder.
Fever and chills: Indicating infection, which can be serious if untreated.
The pain from kidney stones is often described as one of the most intense types of discomfort a person can experience. It may come in sudden episodes known as renal colic and can shift in location as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
However, not all kidney stones cause pain. Small stones can pass unnoticed, while larger or irregular ones can block urine flow, requiring urgent medical attention.
Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, advises that any sudden or persistent back, side, or abdominal pain should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by nausea, blood in the urine, or fever. Prompt evaluation can prevent serious complications such as infection, kidney swelling, or permanent damage.
Causes
Kidney stones form when urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid can dilute. Several factors, dietary, genetic, metabolic, or environmental, contribute to this imbalance.
Common causes include:
1. Dehydration:
The most frequent cause. Inadequate fluid intake leads to concentrated urine, allowing minerals like calcium, oxalate, and uric acid to crystallize.
2. Diet and Nutrition:
High intake of salt, animal protein, and oxalate-rich foods (like spinach, nuts, and chocolate) can raise stone risk.
Sugary drinks and processed foods further disrupt urine composition.
Low calcium intake (ironically) increases the risk because calcium binds oxalate in the intestines.
3. Family History and Genetics:
A genetic predisposition increases the likelihood of stone formation, especially for cystine stones.
4. Medical Conditions:
Hyperparathyroidism: Increases calcium levels in urine.
Gout: Raises uric acid production.
Inflammatory bowel diseases: Cause dehydration and absorption issues.
Recurrent urinary tract infections: Can lead to struvite stones.
5. Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle:
Both alter calcium metabolism and increase urinary stone risk.
6. Certain Medications:
Long-term use of diuretics, calcium-based antacids, or supplements can promote stone development.
7. Climate and Environment:
Living in hot climates or having a job that causes excessive sweating without adequate hydration increases risk due to reduced urine output.
Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, focuses not only on removing the stone but on identifying its cause through metabolic evaluation. By analyzing urine and blood chemistry, he pinpoints the precise imbalance, whether it’s too much calcium, oxalate, or uric acid and develops a personalized plan to prevent recurrence.
When to See a Doctor
Kidney stones can become an emergency if they obstruct urine flow or cause infection. You should see Dr Anish Kr. Saha immediately if you experience:
Intense pain in your back, side, or abdomen.
Pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Blood in urine (pink, red, or brown discoloration).
Fever and chills, which may indicate infection.
Difficulty passing urine or complete urinary blockage.
Pain that comes and goes in waves but never fully subsides.
Even if symptoms appear mild, it’s important to get evaluated, as small stones can grow or migrate, leading to future complications.
For individuals with a history of kidney stones, preventive checkups are essential. Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, recommends regular urine and imaging tests to ensure new stones are detected early.
In his clinic, diagnostic evaluation typically includes:
Urinalysis and a 24-hour urine test to assess mineral levels.
Blood tests to evaluate calcium, uric acid, and kidney function.
Ultrasound or CT scan to locate the stone and measure its size.
Early detection can mean the difference between simple medical management and emergency surgical intervention.
Treatments
Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size, type, location, and symptoms. The primary goals are to relieve pain, clear the stones, and prevent future recurrences.
Dr Anish Kr. Saha’s treatment approach combines evidence-based medicine, personalized planning, and preventive education, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term kidney protection.
1. Medical Management (for Small Stones):
Small stones (typically less than 5mm) can often pass naturally with conservative management.
Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, recommends:
Increased fluid intake: Drinking 2.5–3 liters of water daily to flush out the urinary system.
Pain management: Nonopioid pain relievers and antiinflammatory medications.
Alphablockers (like tamsulosin): These relax the ureter muscles, helping the stone pass more easily.
Monitoring: Regular imaging to ensure the stone has passed and no obstruction remains.
He ensures that patients understand the signs of passage, and the warning signals that require immediate intervention.
2. Interventional Treatments (for Large or Obstructive Stones):
If a stone is too large, causing obstruction, or leading to infection, minimally invasive procedures are required.
Common procedures include:
ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy): Uses focused shock waves to break stones into smaller fragments that pass naturally through urine. Ideal for medium-sized stones.
URS (Ureteroscopy): A thin, flexible scope is inserted into the urinary tract to locate and remove stones or break them with a laser.
PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy): A small incision is made in the back to directly extract large or complex stones.
Stent Placement: Sometimes a temporary ureteral stent is placed to ensure smooth urine flow after procedures.
Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, ensures each intervention is minimally invasive, safe, and guided by precise imaging, prioritizing quick recovery and minimal discomfort.
3. Dietary and Lifestyle Modification:
After treatment, preventing recurrence becomes the top priority. Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, provides tailored dietary advice based on stone type:
For calcium oxalate stones: Limit oxalaterich foods (spinach, nuts, tea) and pair calcium with meals.
For uric acid stones: Reduce red meat, shellfish, and alcohol.
For struvite stones: Treat infections promptly.
For cystine stones: Increase fluid intake and avoid excess salt.
Lifestyle recommendations:
Stay hydrated throughout the day.
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
Avoid skipping meals and sudden dehydration.
Limit processed foods and soft drinks.
4. Medications for Prevention:
Depending on the stone composition, Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, may prescribe preventive medications:
Thiazide diuretics: Reduce calcium excretion in urine.
Allopurinol: Lowers uric acid levels.
Potassium citrate: Alkalinizes urine to prevent uric acid and cystine stones.
These therapies are always customized to the patient’s biochemical profile.
5. Monitoring and Follow-Up:
Kidney stones have a high recurrence rate, so ongoing follow-up is vital. Dr Anish Kumar Saha, the best nephrologist in Siliguri, schedules regular evaluations to:
Reassess urine chemistry.
Adjust dietary or medication plans.
Check for new or residual stones using imaging.
This proactive follow-up care ensures that patients stay stone-free and maintain optimal kidney function.