Renal Colic

Having an acute pain in the flanks and feeling like vomiting? Are you sweating profusely? You may be suffering from Renal Colic pain. Read on to know all about Renal Colic signs and symptoms, its causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Renal Colic Definition

Renal Colic is a medical syndrome that is characterized by a pain in the sides of the body. It is caused by the presence of stones in the kidney. Kidney stones are solid masses made up of small crystals. The condition arises in people suffering from kidney stones.


Renal Colic is a painful disease. Severe cases of Renal Colic are known as Acute Renal Colic. It causes excruciating pain in the suffering persons.

Renal Colic Pain

Pain arising out of Renal Colic is of two types, dull and acute. Dull Renal Colic pain is very discomforting. Acute Renal Colic pain is very unpleasant and causes unbearable pain. Acute Renal Colic attacks is said to be worse than labor pain, broken bones or pain caused by gunshot wound.

Renal Colic Symptoms

Renal Colic is characterized by a number of symptoms. These are


Pain
Pain is the biggest symptom of a Renal Colic condition. People with Renal Colic generally experience an acute pain in the flanks. The pain can move to the lower abdominal region and even to the groin if the kidney stones move towards the bladder from the ureter. Renal Colic pain can also arise in the testicular area or the labia.

Sweating
Patients normally sweat because of discomfort arising due to pain in the sides or the abdomen.

Pallor
The skin of the sufferer has a pale appearance because of the condition.

Nausea
In patients of Renal Colic kidney stones can give rise to nauseating feeling.

Vomiting
The patient also suffers from a vomiting sensation from time to time.

Renal Colic Causes

Kidney stones are the most common cause of Renal Colic condition. Most patients get Acute Renal Colic from Ureteral Calculus or stones in the ureter. A number of factors can cause kidney stones in people. These include.

• Salty Diet

In people with Renal Colic diet rich in salt is often responsible. Foods rich in salt are a common cause of the development of stones in the kidney.

• Concentrated Urine

Stones are also formed when the urine becomes highly concentrated and contains uric acid, oxalate and calcium in greater quantities than fluid. If there is an accumulation of urine in the kidney (Hydronephrosis) because of a ureter obstruction due to factors like Urinary Tract Infection, these elements can get crystallized to form kidney stones.

• Dehydration

Low water intake also concentrates the urine and helps in kidney stone formation.

• Foods

Consuming foods rich in oxalate, protein or Vitamin D in large quantities can also give rise to this condition.

• Surgery

Kidney stones are often seen to form after a recent Gastric Bypass Surgery.

• Heredit

Kidney stones can also develop in people with a family history of the condition.

Renal Colic Differential Diagnosis

The symptoms of Renal Colic are very similar to many other abdominal or renal diseases. This makes the diagnosis of the condition quite difficult. This is the reason for the necessity of a differential diagnosis.

The differential diagnosis of Renal Colic usually involves a Renal Ultrasonography. High frequency sound waves are used to construct an image and study the renal organs.

An abdominal examination is also required to distinguish Renal Colic from Appendicitis. A pelvic examination is carried out in women to rule out a case of ectopic pregnancy.

An inguinal examination is often conducted to check if the symptoms are the result of any scrotal lesion or hernia.

In some cases, a digital rectal examination is necessary to find out if an enlargement of the prostate gland is the reason behind the disease.

For a proper diagnosis of Renal Colic CT scans and flat plate radiographs are recommended by many urologists. In many patients of Renal Colic Nephrolithiasis is conducted to detect the presence of stones in kidney.


Renal Colic Treatment

Prevention of kidney stone formation is the first step of Renal Colic cure. As this condition causes excruciating pain, analgesic medicines are used to bring relief in sufferers.

In case of large kidney stones, fluids need to be given in the intravenous method.

Less water intake makes the urine highly concentrated. So the patient needs to drink lots of fluids. More fluids in the body dilute the urine and helps flush


Renal Colic stones out of the kidney.

If the stone remains stuck in the urinary tract, ultrasonic stone crushing may be needed. For large kidney stones, a surgical operation may be required for complete treatment. Recovery from Ureter Calculus is usually complete following a proper surgery.



Renal Colic Management

Patients can use some methods at home to manage Renal Colic pain. Sufferers can lie down on the non-affected side and press a hot bottle or towel on the paining side.

Soaking the affected side in warm water in a bathtub also helps reduce pain.
Renal Colic in Pregnancy

Renal Colic conditions are often seen during pregnancy. If premature labor and Pyelonephritis accompany a Renal Colic disease, it can lead to some complications. Though the condition usually goes away naturally in about 2/3 sufferers, it is best to carry out an ultrasound treatment to diagnose Renal Colic disease. A treatment may be needed if there is pain involved in Renal Colic during pregnancy.

Renal Colic is a very painful condition. Acute cases of Renal Colic can give rise to excruciating pain and cause much discomfort in sufferers. It can impair daily functions and bring deterioration in health. If you or anyone in your family is having Renal Colic symptoms, it is best to go for an early treatment.

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