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Kidney stones are very common and often underestimated, which can cause severe pain and sometimes require urgent intervention.It mainly affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60 and is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits for severe pain.To understand how widespread the problem is, what symptoms we tend to ignore and what new treatments are available today, we talk about it with urologist Giancarlo Napoli."Stone disease, or urolithiasis, is a common pathological condition in people," explains the doctor.In Western countries such as Europe and the United States, approximately 10% of the population suffers from this condition or will develop it during their lifetime."There is a small prevalence among men, but in recent years we have seen an increase in cases among women," Napoli added.

According to the urologist, the risk of developing stones is linked to several factors.An important element is genetic predisposition: familiarity plays an important role.However, environmental and lifestyle factors, such as the climate of the region where a person lives, daily habits and, most importantly, diet, have a significant influence."The main risk factor is still poor hydration", emphasizes Giancarlo Napoli.In fact, when drinking a little, certain substances accumulate in the urine, which can accumulate and form stones.A high intake of salt, animal protein, foods rich in oxalates such as those found in large leafy vegetables such as spinach and chard, and sugary drinks can also increase the chance of developing the disease.

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In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills can be seen."When these symptoms appear, it is important to go to the hospital immediately," warns the doctor.However, the disease does not always present itself with obvious symptoms.As the urologist explains, many patients describe a small but constant pain, a feeling of heaviness in the lumbar region or the presence of blood in the urine.Sometimes the disease is found from time to time during tests done for other reasons.Treatment of kidney stones these days is increasing. «The choice of medicine depends on several factors, including the location, size and consistency of the stone, as well as the illness of the patient», explains Giancarlo Napoli.The aim is not only to remove the stone, but to do it in a safe, painless and very fast way.

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One of the most popular treatments is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a non-invasive procedure that allows stones to be broken up from outside the body.Recently, a modern device was installed in the endurology center of the hospital, which allows for very precise orientation thanks to the combination of ultrasound and radiological monitoring.If this method is not indicated, endoscopic treatment is used."Today, we use very thin flexible ureteroscopes that allow us to reach the stone through the natural urinary tract, without surgical incisions. Modern lasers such as holmium or thulium are used to break up stones, which allow us to grind the stone with great precision.

Thanks to the advanced fragment aspiration system, the amount of residual material that the patient has to eject spontaneously after the operation is also reduced."This means less pain, less complications and a very quick discharge, usually even in a day," emphasized Giancarlo Napoli.The research is already looking towards the future.tools that can make bets more accurate.According to Giancarlo Napoli, prevention is still fundamental: proper hydration, a balanced diet and health examinations for people with the disease can significantly reduce the risk of developing or recurring kidney stones.