The Kidney Stones

Written by: Muhammad Nasir Serat

The kidneys are the vital organs in the body, purify the blood, absorb minerals, and maintain acidic balance in the body by producing urine. Kidneys are also responsible for removing toxins from the blood. Sometimes some people suffer from stones in kidneys.

 AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

Abdul Khaliq, a resident of Bamiyan province says, “I have a stone in my kidney and the size of the stone is 1 mm. I am suffering from bladder pain and body ache.”

A woman from Kapisa province says, “I have stones in my kidneys. The pain moves to the left side of the body.”

Doctor Khan Aqa Rahimi, a urologist at Jamhoriat Hospital, Kabul city talks about this disease, “Severe back pain, nausea and vomiting, and recurrent urinary tract infections are the symptoms of kidney stones. Kidney stones are painful and could cause a lot of discomfort, even scratches on the inner lining of the kidneys or ureter. In this case, blood might be seen in the urine. If not treated on time, the kidneys might fail.”

What do people think about the causes of kidney stones?

Fawqia Yad says, “I don’t know about the real causes of kidney stones but I think the hot weather might cause kidney stones. People living in hot regions, if they do not drink enough water, they might suffer from kidney stones.”

Faizullah, a resident of Logar province also has the same opinion as Fawqia has. He says, “Peasants and masons who are working in hot weather under the direct sun rays and if they do not drink enough water, they might suffer from kidney stones.”

Doctor Rahimi says, “The main cause of kidney stones is the use of monotonous foods such as eating a lot of dairy products, eggs, and meat. Kidney stone could also be caused by dehydration, infection, obstruction of the urinary tract, and various disorders of the liver.”

How do people treat kidney stones at home?

Subhanallah says, “If anyone of us suffers from kidney stones, we prevent her/him from eating beans, and beef and wants her/him to drink more water and soft foods.”

Zarifa says, “I was suffering from the kidney stone and I went to a hospital for essential treatment.”

Doctor Rahimi says, “If the patient suffers from kidney stones, he/she should go to a health center or a specialist for treatment. Stones smaller than 5 mm are most likely spontaneously excreted through the ureter. When stone reaches the bladder, it usually resolves without any problems. Larger stones might not be expelled on its own, and a doctor would decide to have surgery operation to remove it.”