Final answer:
Nephrolithiasis is treated using pain medication, lithotripsy, ureteral stenting, or surgery, based on the stone size and symptoms. Diagnosis is achieved through X-ray or CT scans. Prevention includes dietary changes, adequate hydration, and potentially medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical management of nephrolithiasis, or kidney stones, involves a variety of treatments depending on the size and composition of the stones and the severity of the symptoms. Stones that are small enough may pass naturally with the aid of analgesics for pain management. Stones causing blockage and severe symptoms might require lithotripsy, which is the application of high-intensity ultrasound pulses to fragment the stones, although there is a risk of kidney damage from this procedure. In certain cases, a stent may be inserted into the ureter to expand it, assisting the stone to pass. For large stones, or if the previous measures are ineffective, surgical intervention may be necessary. Diagnosis typically involves an X-ray or a CT scan, which is the gold standard for detecting kidney stones. Prevention of kidney stones includes dietary modifications, sufficient hydration, and potentially medications such as thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, and allopurinol.
Renal calculi are solid concretions formed from dissolved minerals in urine and can cause severe pain when obstructing the urinary tract. Prevention strategies not only involve medical treatment but also lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a high fluid intake to produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day and consuming a diet low in oxalate-rich foods and adequate in dietary calcium.