Brief Answer:
Kidney stone measuring 22 mm is less likely to respond to medical treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observation below.

1. I see a lot of patients with kidney stone every day and would like to share my opinions. A 22 mm stone is a big one and difficult to treat by medicines alone.

2. The right doctor to consult is the urologist. They might suggest a technique called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in which the stone is broken in to smaller fragments by blasting it from outside. The small pieces come out in urine. This is a day procedure and risk is low.

3. If lithotripsy is not successful then with minimally invasive procedure, the urologist can try to remove the stone through
(i) ureteroscopic stone removal or
(ii) after making a small incision on the skin.

The procedures carry low risk of complications.

4. As discussed above, the medical options in this case are limited. If there is urinary obstruction in the kidney then it needs urgent treatment. Obstruction of urine flow in the kidney for more than 10 days can cause kidney damage.

5. Please find my suggestions for kidney stones which the patient can practice after getting treated for the 22 mm stone. These are my own opinions and I suggest this to my patients.

DOs for kidney stones
(i) Drinking as much as 1.5 to 2.5 liters a day may help flush out your urinary system. This will also allow small stones and fragments to pass through.
(ii) Visit washrooms regularly and empty your bladder when you feel like doing urination.
(iii) Please take fruits like apple, papaya, watermelon, pineapple, sweetlime, bananas and orange, vegetables like, white gourd, ladyfinger, pumpkin, pulses and legumes.
(v) If you have sharp pain any time after treatment then you should consult your doctor and take pain reliever medications under strict supervision.

DONTs for kidney stones
(i) Please avoid holding urine for long intervals.
(ii) Please reduce foods containing oxalates like non veg, vegetables like spinach, tomato, cauliflower, brinjals, nuts like cashew, pista and almonds.
(iii) Decrease extra salt in foods.
(iv) Avoid spicy pickles.
(v) Please eat meat products in normal amounts, avoid eating too much.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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