Ans: Northern India is part of the Geographical stone belt. It extends from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, Punjab, Haryana, and Western U.P & Rajasthan. Reduced water intake in these areas causes concentrated urine and stone formation.

Ans: The main symptoms of stone disease are:
• Pain the flanks( side of abdomen)
• Fever
• Obstructed urination
• Burning sensation while passing urine
• Blood mixed in urine
• High BP
• Failure of kidneys

Ans: Stone can damage the kidneys permanently.

Ans: If the stone is small(less than 4 mm) and there is no significant blockade to the flow of urine from the kidney, then medicines should be tried.

Ans: Lithotripsy is the process of breaking kidney stones by using shockwaves generated in a machine and focused on the stone under X Ray guidance.

Ans: Laser energy can break the stone into small pieces when the laser carrying Fiber touches the stone. This can be introduced into the body through the natural urinary passage ( Ureteroscopy-URS) or through a key hole into the kidney ( PCNL).

Ans: The process of making a small channel (5-10 mm size) from skin into the kidney and removing the stone piecemeal after breaking it (PCNL).

Ans: Plenty of fluids orally to keep the color of urine as close to water as possible and eating balanced diet would usually reduce the chances of re occurrence of one disease. The chemical analysis of stone can guide to avoid the food items rich in those ingredients of stone. People having tendency for stone formation should restrict intake of foods rich in oxalates like spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and other leafy vegetables. Individuals having uric acid stones should avoid fish, red meat, Rajma(Red Beans) and black lentil.

Ans: Stone disease may run in families.

Ans: Drinking any kind of fluid is equally effective as beer. Plain water is actually better.