Overview
Kidney stones are solid in nature and painful health issue which can develop as crystals inside our kidneys for several factors, mostly associated with our daily foods, heavy exercises, few supplements, obesity, some diseases and medications. This is so called renal calculi, nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis.
Moreover, the most important things is that it can be grown among all ages of people, even children, and the stones (crystals) size as well as pain sensations in various locations may differ from one another.
Although, These stones are basically related to kidneys but it can be appeared other parts of the urinary tract, especially, ureters, bladders, urethra.
However, in most cases, drinking sufficient fresh water and OTC pain medications are enough to excrete the tiny crystals from kidneys or other urinary tract regions. In contrast, if crystals size become larger, these may produce other complications and urinary tract infection which ultimately require the surgical treatment to eradicate from body. Reports show that men and white people are more prone to develop kidney stones than women and black people.
What are the common signs and symptoms of Kidney stones?
There are some signs and symptoms that may vary according to the size and urinary tract location of the the stones. However, the below points clearly indicate that kidneys may be developed the stones.
- Strong, severe pain that deploy some area of the body, such as, lower abdomen (colicky pain in case of children), groin, the side and back (just below the ribs).
- Problem with urination, especially urination occurs frequently (often urgency in urination) and in a small amounts, not clear completely, even no urination at all.
- Painful or irritating urination.
- Urine appears Cloudy or dark or, smells bed.
- Bloody-red, pink or brown color urine.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
What are the causes to form of kidney stones?
Basically, urine contains a lot of substances that pass through the urinary tract while drinking sufficient water. If drinking water is not enough than our body demands, the numerous components that present in urine making a high concentrated solution, which finally leads to form a crystal, known as kidney stone. The substances that normally contribute to develop the kidney stones are -
- Oxalate
- Calcium
- Phosphate
- Maleate
- Uric acid
- Cystine
- Xanthine
These substances are mostly found in different foods, supplements, sometimes some body conditions may produce some of the components inside the body. The most common kidney stones are calcium stones which made up of various combination either calcium oxalate, or calcium phosphate, or calcium maleate.
Uric acid is produced in the body if anyone have some metabolic ailments, for instances, diabetes, gout, over weight or obesity, which contribute to form the kidney stone.
Those who have one of the genetic disorder cystinuria, normally develop cystine related kidney stones as body secrets this element naturally.
Another type of kidney stone is struvite stones that mainly develop due to having the kidney or urinary tract infections.
How are the kidney stones diagnosed?
At first, a healthcare provider may check physical exam, take in details information regarding patient medical and family history. Beside that, doctors may recommend to do the following tests -
- Ultrasound test for kidneys
- Blood test to know the components total history
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine test
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- Urine test or Urinalysis
- Imaging tests, such as, MRI or CT scan or KUB (kidney-ureter-bladder) X-rays of kidneys and other relevant parts
What are the treatments for the kidney stones?
After completion of the diagnosis process, doctor initially may advice to drink more water, eat more vegetables and fruits along with some medications, for examples, pain relievers (acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen etc.), Xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol), diuretics, antacids and antibiotics to pass the stone automatically through the urination route.
Finally, If these stones become difficult to pass because of the stones size and location, a healthcare professional may suggest the followings -
- Shockwave lithotripsy
- Ureteroscopy
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
- Surgery