What is Kidney Stone - Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Kidney Stones: What are They?
A kidney stone is a solid item that is created from urine-based compounds. Kidney stones can be made of calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, or cystine. Wastes of all kinds are dissolved in urine. Crystals start to form when there is an imbalance of waste to liquid. If the solid is not expelled from the body through urine, the crystals will continue to draw in more substances and come together to form a larger solid.
The body's chief chemist, the kidney, typically eliminates these compounds in the urine. Most people either have enough liquid to wash them out or have additional substances in their urine that prevent stones from developing. The substances that cause stones to develop include calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate.
The stone may remain in the kidney once it has formed or it may go into the ureter by passing through the rest of the urinary system. The removal of small stones from the body occasionally causes only minor discomfort. Urine may back up in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra in the event that stones that don't move do so. Consequently, this is what hurts.
A kidney stone is a solid item that is created from urine-based compounds. Kidney stones can be made of calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, or cystine. Wastes of all kinds are dissolved in urine. Crystals start to form when there is an imbalance of waste to liquid. If the solid is not expelled from the body through urine, the crystals will continue to draw in more substances and come together to form a larger solid.
The body's chief chemist, the kidney, typically eliminates these compounds in the urine. Most people either have enough liquid to wash them out or have additional substances in their urine that prevent stones from developing. The substances that cause stones to develop include calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, xanthine, and phosphate.
The stone may remain in the kidney once it has formed or it may go into the ureter by passing through the rest of the urinary system. The removal of small stones from the body occasionally causes only minor discomfort. Urine may back up in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra in the event that stones that don't move do so. Consequently, this is what hurts.
What are the Different Types of the Kidney Stones?
Finding out what kind of kidney stone you have can assist identify its source and may provide information on how to lower your risk of developing additional kidney stones. If you pass a kidney stone, attempt to keep it if you can so you may give it to your doctor for analysis. The following kidney stone types:
Finding out what kind of kidney stone you have can assist identify its source and may provide information on how to lower your risk of developing additional kidney stones. If you pass a kidney stone, attempt to keep it if you can so you may give it to your doctor for analysis. The following kidney stone types:
- Calcium Stones (80% of stones)
- Struvite Stones (10% of stones)
- Uric acid Stones (5-10% of stones)
- Cystine Stones (Less than 1% of stones)
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
Until a kidney stone moves around or enters one of the ureters, symptoms are typically not present. The tubes that link the kidneys and bladder are known as ureters.
A kidney stone that becomes stuck in the ureters can restrict the urine's flow, inflame the kidney, and cause the ureter to spasm, all of which can be excruciatingly painful. You can then experience the following signs:
Until a kidney stone moves around or enters one of the ureters, symptoms are typically not present. The tubes that link the kidneys and bladder are known as ureters.
A kidney stone that becomes stuck in the ureters can restrict the urine's flow, inflame the kidney, and cause the ureter to spasm, all of which can be excruciatingly painful. You can then experience the following signs:
- Severe, stabbing pain below the ribcage on the side and back
- Radiating discomfort in the groin and lower abdomen
- Pain that is intermittent and varies in severity
- When urinating, there may be pain or burning.
- Pee may be red, pink, or brown.
- Pee that is cloudy or smells bad
- A continuous urge to urinate, urinating frequently or in little amounts, or urinating more frequently than normal
- Vomiting and nauseous
- If an infection is present, a fever and chills
- As the stone passes through your urinary tract, the pain from a kidney stone may alter, such as moving to a new area or becoming more intense.
What are the Causes of Kidney Stones?
Ages 20 to 50 are when kidney stones are most likely to develop. Your chance of developing a stone can increase due to a variety of causes. Kidney stones are more common in men than in women. Kidney stones in the past could put you at danger. A history of kidney stones in the family also helps. Other danger signs consist of:
Ages 20 to 50 are when kidney stones are most likely to develop. Your chance of developing a stone can increase due to a variety of causes. Kidney stones are more common in men than in women. Kidney stones in the past could put you at danger. A history of kidney stones in the family also helps. Other danger signs consist of:
- Dehydration
- Obesity
- Consuming a lot of protein, salt, or sugar
- State of hyperparathyroidism
- Having a gastric bypass
- Taking pharmaceuticals like calcium-based antacids, triamterene diuretics, and antiseizure medications can help with inflammatory bowel illnesses that increase calcium absorption.
Kidney Stones: Diagnosis
You might undergo diagnostic tests and procedures, like the ones listed below, if your doctor suspects you have a kidney stone:
Blood Testing: Having too much uric acid or calcium in your blood might be discovered through blood testing. The findings of a blood test can help your doctor determine whether you have any other medical concerns and can also be used to monitor the health of your kidneys.
Urine Testing: Your excretion of too many minerals that can cause stones or too few chemicals that can prevent them could be revealed by the 24-hour urine collection test. Your doctor could ask you to perform two urine collections over two days in order to prepare for this test.
Imaging: Your urinary tract may appear to have kidney stones on imaging testing. Even minute stones may be detectable using computerized tomography (CT) with high-speed or dual energy. Simple abdominal X-rays are less commonly utilized since they have a higher chance of missing tiny kidney stones. An additional imaging choice for the diagnosis of kidney stones is ultrasound, a rapid and simple noninvasive examination.
Analysis of Passed Stones: For the purpose of catching stones that you pass, you might be asked to urinate through a strainer. Your kidney stones' chemical composition will be determined by a lab analysis. By analyzing this data, your doctor can identify the root cause of your kidney stones and devise a strategy to stop further development.
You might undergo diagnostic tests and procedures, like the ones listed below, if your doctor suspects you have a kidney stone:
Blood Testing: Having too much uric acid or calcium in your blood might be discovered through blood testing. The findings of a blood test can help your doctor determine whether you have any other medical concerns and can also be used to monitor the health of your kidneys.
Urine Testing: Your excretion of too many minerals that can cause stones or too few chemicals that can prevent them could be revealed by the 24-hour urine collection test. Your doctor could ask you to perform two urine collections over two days in order to prepare for this test.
Imaging: Your urinary tract may appear to have kidney stones on imaging testing. Even minute stones may be detectable using computerized tomography (CT) with high-speed or dual energy. Simple abdominal X-rays are less commonly utilized since they have a higher chance of missing tiny kidney stones. An additional imaging choice for the diagnosis of kidney stones is ultrasound, a rapid and simple noninvasive examination.
Analysis of Passed Stones: For the purpose of catching stones that you pass, you might be asked to urinate through a strainer. Your kidney stones' chemical composition will be determined by a lab analysis. By analyzing this data, your doctor can identify the root cause of your kidney stones and devise a strategy to stop further development.
Kidney Stones: Treatment
Depending on the type of stone and its origin, many treatments are available for kidney stones.
Small Kidney Stones with few symptoms typically don't need invasive treatment. A little stone might be passable:
Drinking Water: Keep your urine diluted by consuming 2 to 4 litres of fluid daily to keep stones from developing. Drink enough liquid, ideally primarily water, to create clear or nearly clear urine unless your doctor directs you differently.
Pain Relievers: It can be uncomfortable to pass a little stone. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) or naproxen sodium to treat minor pain (Aleve).
Medical Therapy: To help your kidney stone clear, your doctor may prescribe a medicine. This kind of drug, an alpha blocker, eases the tension in your ureter's muscles, which facilitates the quicker and less painful passage of the kidney stone.
Depending on the type of stone and its origin, many treatments are available for kidney stones.
Small Kidney Stones with few symptoms typically don't need invasive treatment. A little stone might be passable:
Drinking Water: Keep your urine diluted by consuming 2 to 4 litres of fluid daily to keep stones from developing. Drink enough liquid, ideally primarily water, to create clear or nearly clear urine unless your doctor directs you differently.
Pain Relievers: It can be uncomfortable to pass a little stone. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) or naproxen sodium to treat minor pain (Aleve).
Medical Therapy: To help your kidney stone clear, your doctor may prescribe a medicine. This kind of drug, an alpha blocker, eases the tension in your ureter's muscles, which facilitates the quicker and less painful passage of the kidney stone.
Large Kidney Stones: If a kidney stone is too big to pass naturally or if it results in bleeding, kidney damage, or recurrent UTIs, more extensive treatment may be necessary. Procedures might involve:
- Using sound waves to break up stones.
- Using sound waves to break up stones.
- Using a scope to remove stones.
- Parathyroid gland surgery.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones?
The prevention of kidney stones may involve both medication and alterations to one's way of life.
Drink Water Throughout the Day: Doctors typically advise patients who have a history of kidney stones to consume enough fluids to produce 2.1 quarts (2 liters) of urine daily. Your physician might request that you record how much urine you generate in order to ensure that you are consuming adequate water. You might need to consume even more water if you exercise frequently, live in a hot, dry region, or live a sedentary lifestyle. If your poop is light and clear, you're likely drinking enough water.
Eat Fewer Oxalate-Rich Foods: Your doctor might advise limiting foods high in oxalates if you frequently get calcium oxalate stones. Rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, almonds, tea, chocolate, and black pepper are some of them.
Choose a Diet Low in Salt and Animal Protein: Eat less salt and opt for plant-based sources of protein like beans.
Continue consuming foods that are high in calcium, but exercise caution when taking calcium supplements. Your risk of kidney stones is unaffected by the calcium in food. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, keep eating calcium-rich foods.
Before taking calcium supplements - which have been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones - ask your doctor. By taking supplements with meals, you might lower the risk. Some people may develop kidney stones more frequently if they eat low - calcium diets.
The prevention of kidney stones may involve both medication and alterations to one's way of life.
Drink Water Throughout the Day: Doctors typically advise patients who have a history of kidney stones to consume enough fluids to produce 2.1 quarts (2 liters) of urine daily. Your physician might request that you record how much urine you generate in order to ensure that you are consuming adequate water. You might need to consume even more water if you exercise frequently, live in a hot, dry region, or live a sedentary lifestyle. If your poop is light and clear, you're likely drinking enough water.
Eat Fewer Oxalate-Rich Foods: Your doctor might advise limiting foods high in oxalates if you frequently get calcium oxalate stones. Rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, almonds, tea, chocolate, and black pepper are some of them.
Choose a Diet Low in Salt and Animal Protein: Eat less salt and opt for plant-based sources of protein like beans.
Continue consuming foods that are high in calcium, but exercise caution when taking calcium supplements. Your risk of kidney stones is unaffected by the calcium in food. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, keep eating calcium-rich foods.
Before taking calcium supplements - which have been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones - ask your doctor. By taking supplements with meals, you might lower the risk. Some people may develop kidney stones more frequently if they eat low - calcium diets.
What is Kidney Stone Types of Kidney Stone Symptoms of Kidney Stone Causes of Kidney Stone Hoe to Diagnosis of Kidney Stone Treatment of Kidney Stone How to Prevent Kidney Stones Kidney Stone Picture Kidney Stone
Comments