Rehabilitation after urolithiasis

Through surgery, it is possible to clear the organs of stones, but the disease itself cannot be cured. To prevent the formation of new salt stones, it is necessary to normalize metabolism, follow the diet recommended by the urologist, and take prescribed medications. Rehabilitation after the release of the stone or surgical intervention can reduce the likelihood of complications, prevent the recurrence of pathology.

Description of the disease

Urolithiasis (or urolithiasis) is a severe pathology, accompanied by the formation of solid structures in the kidneys and other organs of the genitourinary system - stones. Stones are different in size (up to 1.5 cm in diameter), shape, chemical composition. The prognosis is determined by the timeliness of therapy and the patient's compliance with the correct lifestyle.

The disease develops in people of all ages. It is characterized by seasonality: attacks are more often diagnosed during winter and spring holidays - periods of abundance of junk food and alcoholic beverages.

Calculi can form anywhere in the urinary system, but most often nephrolithiasis develops - damage to the kidney tissues. This is due to the fact that the kidneys cleanse the blood of harmful components.

Causes of the disease

Urolithiasis develops under the influence of three types of factors:

• exogenous (external);
• endogenous (internal);
• local.

External provoking factors are:

• poor-quality nutrition (eating foods that increase the acidity of urine);
• harmful working conditions (employment in production with toxic waste, performing heavy physical work);
• adverse climatic conditions (active exposure to ultraviolet radiation, high air temperature);
• low physical activity;
• the use of drinking water with a high concentration of calcium salts.

Of the internal factors, it should be noted:

• too active functioning of the thyroid gland;
• chronic pathologies of the digestive tract;
• violations of the liver;
• weak enzymatic synthesis;
• damage to the musculoskeletal system.

Local provocateurs of the development of urolithiasis are the following pathological conditions:

• an increase in the kidney due to a violation of the outflow of urine;
• prostate adenoma;
• pyelonephritis and other inflammatory pathologies of the urinary organs;
• impaired blood circulation in the tissues associated with kidney injury.

Symptoms

Many people are unaware that their urinary organs are affected by stones. Often, the disease is detected by chance during a routine medical examination, or when contacting a urologist for another reason.

Of the most common symptoms of urolithiasis, it should be noted:

• pain in the lumbar region, aggravated by physical exertion or a change in body position;
• increased urination;
• pain when passing urine;
• blood inclusions or turbidity in urine;
• high blood pressure;
• with pyelonephritis, an increase in body temperature.

If the stone starts moving down from the kidney, then the pain moves from the lumbar region to the groin. Severe pain syndrome is called renal colic. It is manifested by intense pain in the lower back, lasting up to several days. Sometimes the pain is unbearable, causing a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition. In this situation, urgent medical attention is required.

Rehabilitation 

The list of general recommendations during the rehabilitation period is as follows:

• increase in the volume of water consumed (up to 2.5 liters per day);
• taking prescribed diuretic medications;
• changing the diet, eating foods and drinks that restore the functioning of the kidneys, accelerating the removal of remnants of stones from the tissues;
• moderate physical activity.

Physiotherapeutic measures are recommended to restore kidney function, reduce residual symptoms of the disease, and accelerate the return to a full life. The attending physician prescribes procedures, determines their number and frequency.

The most pronounced positive effect is given by the following physiotherapy:

1. Electrophoresis using various drugs. With the help of an electric current, medicines are introduced into the body through the skin in a certain dosage. Rehabilitation for urolithiasis involves the introduction of drugs into the lumbar region to relieve pain.
2. Hydrogen sulfide baths. The patient is immersed in heated, gas-saturated water for half an hour. Hydrogen sulfide, penetrating the body through the skin, accelerates the elimination of toxins, prevents them from accumulating in the tissues again.
3. Inductothermy. In this procedure, the tissues of the urinary system are affected by a magnetic field of different intensity. The result is a weakening of pain, a decrease in muscle spasms.

A mandatory point of rehabilitation after urolithiasis is diet. You need to eat fractionally (5 - 6 times a day in small portions). It is forbidden to use:

• fried foods;
• salinity and smoked meats;
• fast food;
• spicy sauces and marinades;
• alcoholic drinks;
• sweet sodas.

To normalize metabolism, you must include in the menu:

• cereal porridge;
• legumes;
• bran bread;
• nuts;
• fresh herbal products.

Such a diet is desirable not only during the rehabilitation period, but also throughout life, since urolithiasis tends to recur. The menu should be designed in such a way as to prevent deterioration of the digestive tract. With frequent constipation, the patient's condition may worsen, since the stagnation of feces in the intestines leads to the saturation of urine with salts. Therefore, it is important to empty the intestinal tract regularly.

Mandatory for the rehabilitation of patients with urolithiasis is a moderately active lifestyle. In a person who does not move much, metabolism worsens, as a result, the likelihood of recurrence of urolithiasis increases. Immediately after the release of the stone or surgery, intense exercise is contraindicated. Patients are encouraged to take leisurely walks in the morning and evening. When the pulse increases, it is necessary to stop, take a break. Active physical training is allowed a month after the start of the recovery period.

A good effect is the rehabilitation of patients with urolithiasis in sanatorium-resort conditions. Which sanatorium is better to go to, what mineral drinks to use, you should ask a medical specialist. In Russia, patients are sent mainly to the Caucasian Mineralnye Vody.

In sanatoriums, patients are prescribed water of a certain level of mineralization. It normalizes the functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system, extinguishes inflammatory reactions, has a beneficial effect on the condition of the muscle tissues of the urinary organs, relieves pain, improves the chemical composition of urine and stimulates its outflow.

During the recovery period, patients must carefully follow all medical recommendations. Rehabilitation measures should not be interrupted, even if the symptoms have disappeared, and it seems that the condition of the genitourinary system has returned to normal. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the disease will return.