What are the dangers of kidney stones in women?

Kidney stones are a common disease of the urinary and reproductive system. It is a multiple disease that occurs more frequently in men than in women and mostly occurs in young people. There is no significant difference in the incidence rate between the two sides. So what are the harms of kidney stones in women? Let’s take a look at the editor’s interpretation below.

1. Cause urinary tract obstruction

It is the most common secondary harm of kidney stones and also the main cause of secondary renal damage. Intraluminal obstruction of the urinary system caused by kidney stones can lead to water retention above the infarction site. Kidney stones can cause hydronephrosis for too long, causing obstruction in urination, excessive stress on the area above the obstruction, and reduced blood flow to the kidneys. This can lead to tubular damage, degeneration and necrosis, and kidney atrophy, which can reduce kidney function or make it completely ineffective.

2. Causing partial damage

Small and active stones cause little damage to some tissues, while large and immobile staghorn stones can cause the squamous epithelial cells of the renal calyx and renal pelvis to fall off, leading to ulcers, fibrosis, infiltration of monocytes and reticulocytes, and even fibrosis. After long-term stimulation by stones, transitional squamous epithelial cells may undergo squamous cell metaplasia and even squamous cell carcinoma, so urine cytology should be performed.

3. Cause renal failure

If the stones are allowed to develop, they may eventually develop into renal dysfunction, commonly known as uremia. Secondly, if ureteral stones block the urethra, the urine in the kidney cannot be discharged completely, which will cause water retention in the kidney. Urine will accumulate in the kidney for a long time, causing secondary infection and even uremia, threatening the patient's life.

4. Kidney tissue replaces human fat tissue

The renal tissue of kidney stones and pyelonephritis can shrink and be replaced by human fat tissue. The kidneys retain their original function but are generally smaller. The renal adventitia is inseparably adhered to the surface of the kidney, and the renal tissue shrinks and hardens. In more serious cases, there is very little renal tissue remaining, or even complete disappearance. The space between the renal parenchyma and the renal pelvis and calyces is filled with khaki adipose tissue.

5. Digestive tract diseases, anemia, etc.

When the stones are in the kidneys, most kidney stone patients do not have obvious symptoms. When stones fall from the kidneys into the urethra and cause blockage of urine in the urethra, severe pain will occur. The pain is mainly located in the waist and abdomen, and there are also symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, restlessness, abdominal distension, and blood in the urine.