A kidney is an essential part of the human body. Its proper functioning helps in eliminating waste and excess fluids and removing cellular acids from the body. Not only this but they also play an important role in maintaining a balance of minerals and salts in the body. The human body has two kidneys, but one can survive on a single kidney as well. However, with certain precautions.
Our hectic schedules have made it challenging to remain healthy and follow a healthy diet. As a consequence, it can lead to the failure of various vital organs of the body. For example, renal, respiratory, and cardiac disorders are often caused and exasperated by lifestyle and dietary issues. The diagnosis of these conditions is possible by full body CT scan services NJ.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are one of the most common problems people over forty face nowadays. Besides an unhealthy lifestyle, there can be other reasons causing renal failure and kidney stones. However, it is nearly impossible to detect kidney stones till they have grown beyond a certain threshold. CT scan of kidney stones is the most convenient way to detect them and any other renal abnormalities.
Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
Every disease has some signs and symptoms. In many cases, the doctors estimate the disease just by estimating and noting the physiological symptoms. However, they may request further diagnostic tests like blood and urine tests to confirm the medical condition. As for kidney stones, their symptoms are listed below:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe pain in the back and abdomen of the human body
- Feeling sand grains passing during urination
- Seeing blood in the urine
- More often need for urination
- High fever with chills
- Facing trouble during urination
- Cloudy urine
- Pungent urine smell
What is a CT scan
A CT scan, also called Computed Tomography, creates a clear image of the internal body organs. It is a non-invasive technique that combines x-rays and computer technology to image the required organs.
Vital organs like lungs, kidneys, and abdomen can be observed through CT scans. It helps detect any changes, production of stones, or other potential changes occurring in the organs. However, a CT scan for kidney stones can help detect the condition at an easily treatable stage.
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Why CT Scan Is Necessary For Detecting Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can form in the kidneys, causing pain and other symptoms. They can be very difficult to diagnose and treat, often requiring imaging tests such as CT scans. In this article, we will discuss why a CT scan kidney stone is necessary, the benefits it offers, and the potential risks associated with the procedure.
Diagnosis of kidney stones is important for the proper treatment and timely management of the condition. The most common tests used to diagnose kidney stones include urinalysis, imaging tests, and a physical exam. CT scans of kidney stones can help diagnose the accumulation of minerals by providing detailed images of the kidney, ureter, and bladder.
These images can reveal the location, size, and shape of the kidney stones in one’s body. CT scans are beneficial because they can detect smaller stones more accurately than other imaging tests. This is particularly useful for stones that are too small to be seen on an X-ray or ultrasound. CT scans can also show blockages caused by the stones, which can help the doctor determine the best treatment.
CT scans are also useful in monitoring the progress of kidney stones. The images can show whether the stones are getting bigger or smaller over time or if any new stones have formed. This helps the doctor determine the effectiveness of treatment and whether any further intervention is needed.
Despite the benefits of CT scans, there are potential risks associated with the procedure. CT scans use radiation to create images, which could increase the risk of cancer. Additionally, the dye used to enhance the images can cause allergic reactions or kidney damage in some people.
In conclusion, CT scans are a useful tool for diagnosing and monitoring kidney stones, and they can provide valuable information for the proper treatment and management of the condition.
However, it is important to weigh the benefits against the potential risks of the procedure before deciding if it is the right choice for you. When considering CT scans of kidney stones or a full body CT scan services NJ, it is important to talk to your doctor about all your options.
Reasons For Getting CT Scan For Kidney Stones
CT scan is a painless and non-invasive technique that detects various changes. As a result, it plays a significant role in diagnosing renal tumors and cancer growth. Here are some of the most common reasons that will help the doctor in diagnosing renal problems:
- Abscesses
- Renal lesions
- Renal tumor
- Polycystic kidney
- Congenital problems
Besides detecting kidney stones on the CT scan, they are also a proven way to evaluate the retroperitoneum (the back portion of the abdomen behind the peritoneal membrane).
Purpose Of CT Scan For Kidney Stones
The purpose of a kidney CT scan is quite apparent. It helps the doctors diagnose the problems with the patient’s kidney. It provides more detailed information about the human body than any other diagnostic test.
The kidney accumulates minerals like magnesium and potassium that can enlarge in form stones – kidney stones. The process of kidney stone formation is gradual and can take several years but in some cases, it can also be months only.
Scanning for kidney stones through a CT scan helps detect the location and the size of the kidney stone in the body. The larger the stone is, the more invasive the treatment may have to be.
Kidney Stone On CT Scan
Several factors and reasons contribute to kidney stone formation. As a result, the patient experiences severe pain. However, without a proper diagnosis, the doctors cannot proceed with the treatment plan.
So, to confirm this cause, a CT scan is the first thing recommended by renal experts. However, other tests like blood tests, urine tests, and other physical symptoms are some crucial clues for medical experts.
Minerals That Accumulate For Kidney Stone Formation
Kidney stones vary in size. If not detected and treated on time, the tiny-looking particles can grow into bigger stones causing severe pain in the abdomen. Kidney stones build and grow gradually and come in a variety of mineral types:
· Struvite Stones
Minerals like magnesium, potassium, phosphate, ammonium, and calcium carbonate accumulate gradually to form struvite stones. These stones are formed as a result of excess ammonia in the body. According to research, the reason might be the growth of ammonia-producing bacteria.
· Cystine Stones
Cystine Stones are among the rarest type of kidney stones. Usually, these stones are inherited from the parents. However, in some cases, these cystine stones are congenital. Furthermore, cystinuria is a metabolic disorder that stimulates the high cystine level in urine.
· Uric Acid Stones
These are one of the most common kidney stones observed in the human body. Uric acid stones are produced as a result of protein breakdown. The acidic urine causes the formation of these stones. When the pH of the urine reaches 5.5 pH, the urine becomes saturated. It results in the formation of uric acid stones.
The process of uric acid stones is gradual, and kidney stones grow bigger if not detected and treated on time.
Treatment Of Kidney Stones
Kidney stone treatment is possible after a precise diagnosis of the condition. However, kidney stones can be treated in several ways. Initially, the doctors believed in treating the stones through water intake. Then, however, they move to the use of heavy drugs when the patient feels severe pain and the stones begin to grow larger.
1. Hypercalciuria
As the name suggests, hypercalciuria is the increased amount of calcium in the urine. It is one of the most common reasons for kidney stone formation. Here are the treatment methods experts use to treat patients and eliminate these stones:
- Balance Sodium In The Diet
The human body functions and balances the amount of sodium consumed and absorbed body efficiently. Therefore, an excess amount of sodium also stimulates the production of calcium. In short, more sodium results in the production of more calcium. Also, Lower sodium intake helps balance the amount of sodium and calcium in the body.
- Normal Calcium Intake
Several people assume eliminating every bit of calcium from their diet if they have hypercalciuria. However, this is just a myth. The body needs fibers to maintain the structure and functionality of the human skeleton system. Therefore, eliminating calcium from the diet can weaken the bones. So, it is essential for patients suffering from kidney stones to include calcium-rich food in their diet.
- Use Of Diuretics
Kidney stones cause unbearable pain in the patient’s body. Among several reasons for kidney stones, increased calcium is also a reason. Initially, the doctors try to control the calcium secretion naturally. However, when this doesn’t work, they prescribe the patient diuretics. The prime goal of this drug is to decrease the secretion of calcium.
2. Hypocitrouria
As the name suggests, hypocitraturia is decreased amount of citrate in the urine. Citrate is an essential molecule for eliminating kidney stone formation. It binds with the calcium molecule to prevent its binding with oxalate and potassium to form a kidney stone. In some cases, doctors prescribe citrate supplements for the formation of citrate.
Conclusion
Kidney stones can be a great stress for any person. The older the stones, the more problem they will create for the patients. Moreover, there are several ways to diagnose and detect these stones, but professionals trust CT scans for kidney stones. It is because a CT scan of kidney stones detects the exact location, size, shape, and type of stones.
If you are experiencing even the slightest pain in your abdomen, kidney area, urines, or stomach, it is best to get a CT scan for diseases like kidney stones. See a medical professional to get help and visit AQMDI, a full body CT scan Service NJ for modern diagnostic imaging services for accurate diagnosis.