When it comes to the diagnosis of renal colic, signs and symptoms, as well as performing diagnostic tests, are important.If you have an obstruction caused by a stone, you will need to be treated in the hospital.
Step 1: You should watch for pain.
Kidney stones can cause severe pain if they get stuck and cause an obstruction.On your side, between your rib and hip, is where the pain is located.It may be in your lower abdomen.With time, it may move toward your groin.The pattern of the pain of renal colic is that it goes in waves of being a little bit better and then worse again.It's more painful for people to sit still or lie down than it is to move around.
Step 2: You should look for blood in your urine.
There is a caveat to seeing blood in the urine, it may or may not be visible to the naked eye.Your urine will be either pink or reddish if it is visible.If you don't see any changes to your urine color, but are experiencing pain and other symptoms that are suggestive ofrenal colic, your doctor can take a urine test and pick up tiny traces of blood in it that may not have been visible to the naked eye.
Step 3: Take a look at other urinary symptoms.
Many people with stones in their urine have other symptoms as well.They may include an urgent need to urinate, nausea and vomiting, and a "gravel" appearance to their urine.
Step 4: Take your risk factors into account.
Your risk factors affect your chances of having stones.A family history of kidney stones is one of the things that can be included.
Step 5: Have aurine test.
A "urinalysis," which assesses various aspects of your urine, is a procedure that your doctor will perform if she suspects you have kidney stones.If the results are suggestive of possible renal colic, your doctor will perform a series of tests to look for a stone that may be causing an obstruction and leading to your pain.
Step 6: Receive a medical exam.
A "non contrast helicalCT" is a specialized type ofCT that is used in the diagnosis ofrenal colic.It gives the best view of the stones, if they are present and causing an obstruction, and allows your doctor to confirm the diagnosis.ACT scans can be done in the Emergency Department within a few hours of your arrival, so you don't have to go on a wait list.While the images are being captured, you will be in a large, circular machine, lying down.Problems with claustrophobia are rare when receiving aCT scans because there is plenty of space.It is painless because the images are taken via radiation and you won't feel anything.
Step 7: Ask your doctor for an exam.
If you are advised to minimize your exposure to radiation, your doctor may recommend an x-ray as opposed to a computed tomographic (CT) Scan to evaluate for the presence of kidney stones.In most cases of renal colic, a non-contrast helicalCT Scan can be sufficient to make the diagnosis, even though it isn't as effective as an ultrasound at locating and diagnosing kidney stones.If the diagnosis remains unclear after the exam, your doctor may recommend that you go ahead with the scans.
Step 8: Determine if you can be treated at home.
You will most likely be treated in the hospital if your pain is severe.If you have a high temperature, you will need to be treated in the hospital because of the risk of an infectious disease that could spread to your bloodstream.If none of these things are the case for you, you can proceed with home treatment as follows under close guidance of your physician: Oral pain medications such as Ibuprofin are commonly recommended to ease your pain, if and when needed.It is recommended to increase the speed at which your stones pass with the help of a medication called tamsulosin.If your doctor asks you to "strain" your urine so that you can collect it when the stone passes, you should bring it to the doctor.Figuring out what the stone is made of.It is possible for your doctor to come up with preventative strategies for you that will decrease your risk of future stones.
Step 9: It's a good idea to use pain medications.
If you are in severe pain, your doctor will most likely give you narcotics to get you under control.Pain medications are given quickly to ease the pain of renal colic, which can be very disabling.
Step 10: Ask your doctor if you need anti-nausea drugs.
If you are having a lot of nausea and vomiting, you can take an anti-nausea medication.Ondansetron and dimenhydrinate are examples.
Step 11: Stay hydrated by getting IV fluids.
If you are being treated in the hospital, you will most likely be hooked up to an IV where you'll get all the fluids, calories, and medications you need.It will be difficult for you to eat or drink if you are in pain.Having all of these needs met through an IV line will ensure the fastest recovery for you.You may be given antibiotics through the IV if you begin to show signs of an illness.
Step 12: If your stone is too large to pass on on its own, you should have a procedure to remove it.
If you have a large stone that needs to be removed, your doctor may recommend "percutaneous nephrolithotomy" or "shock wave lithotripsy" to break it up.A procedure to remove a stone may also be done.The method of choice depends on the size and location of your stone.