Master of Science, Doctor Tran Le Duy Anh, from the Department of Urology - Kidney Transplant at Nhan Dan 115 Hospital, states that kidney stones are often associated with colicky pain in the flank area. However, not all cases involve severe pain. Some stones remain in the urinary tract for extended periods, obstructing urine flow or creating conditions for infection, which patients may not recognize early until kidney function begins to decline.

When stones obstruct urine flow, urine accumulates in the urinary tract, creating a favorable environment for bacteria to grow. This condition can lead to urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis.

More dangerously, if an infection progresses without timely treatment, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis, which is life-threatening. Warning signs include: high fever with chills, flank pain, painful urination, frequent urination, and cloudy or unusually smelling urine. Individuals with stones who experience fever or chills should seek early medical attention, especially if they have flank pain or difficulty urinating.

Prolonged obstruction leads to hydronephrosis

Stones lodged in the ureter or at a point obstructing urine outflow can cause urine to back up into the kidneys, leading to hydronephrosis. If this condition persists, pressure within the renal collecting system increases, damaging kidney tissue and gradually forming fibrous scars.

Initially, patients may experience only dull or intermittent back pain, nausea, reduced urine output, or blood in the urine. However, some cases present with unclear symptoms, making them easy to overlook.

"It is important to note that the level of pain does not fully reflect the extent of kidney damage. There are cases where stones cause prolonged obstruction, but the symptoms are not severe," Doctor Duy Anh stated. If left unaddressed, the affected kidney portion can gradually lose function, or even become completely non-functional.

Can cause acute or chronic kidney failure, with long-term impacts on cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health

Kidney stones can cause acute kidney failure if they completely obstruct the urinary tract, especially when both sides are blocked or if the patient has only one functioning kidney. In such cases, urine cannot exit, waste products accumulate in the body, and the kidney's filtration function rapidly declines. This is an emergency requiring immediate resolution of the obstruction.

In contrast, chronic kidney failure often progresses more silently. Recurrent episodes of obstruction, fluid retention, or infection can repeatedly damage kidney tissue, leading to scarring and a gradual decline in kidney function over time.

According to doctors, individuals with a history of kidney stones have a two to three times higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease compared to normal individuals. When kidney failure becomes severe, patients must undergo artificial dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.

Kidney stones can also be linked to metabolic disorders within the body. Some individuals form stones due to abnormalities in calcium, oxalate metabolism, and other factors, which can also be accompanied by hypertension and cardiovascular problems. In some cases, prolonged calcium loss through urine can affect bone health, increasing the risk of reduced bone density.

Notably, kidney stones have a high recurrence rate. If the underlying causes are not identified and controlled, approximately half of patients may experience stone recurrence within 5-10 years.

End-stage kidney failure patient undergoing dialysis. *Photo: Phung Tien*.

Drink enough water, do not arbitrarily restrict calcium

To protect kidney health, Doctor Duy Anh recommends drinking enough water, maintaining two to three liters of water daily, and ensuring urine is always pale yellow or clear.

Maintain a balanced diet, reduce salt intake (under 5g per day), and limit red meat. Restrict foods high in oxalate such as: dark tea, coffee, chocolate, and spinach. Do not excessively restrict calcium; instead, consume natural calcium from milk, fish, and seafood in reasonable amounts.

Individuals with a history of stones need follow-up examinations as advised by their doctor to check for new stone formation, the degree of obstruction, and kidney function. Abdominal ultrasound, urinalysis, and other necessary tests can help detect abnormalities even when clear symptoms are not yet present.

"Do not wait until severe colicky pain occurs before seeking medical attention. Early detection and treatment of stones, along with identifying the causes of recurrence, help limit complications and preserve kidney function," the doctor advised.

Le Phuong