Kidney Stones

Alternative Names

Calcium stones; Nephrolithiasis, Rrenal lithiasis

What is Kidney Stones

A kidney stone (renal lithiasis) is a condition called ureterolithiasis that is forms renal crystals (calculi) or stones in the ureter or the urinary tract. These stones are concentrations and solid aggregations of dissolved urinary materials in the kidney. When these stones pass from the kidneys to the urinary bladder, they are known as "bladder stones", a more commonly found condition in animals and dogs. The formation of the stones is an extremely normal condition, as a number of stones are formed and passed through the urinary stream. However, when these stones grow larger than the normal size of 2 to 3mm, they cannot pass through and are stuck in the tract, causing pain. There are many types of kidney stones depending on the material they are made of. Since kidney stones are not a serious condition if diagnosed, there are various ways of curing them. Find out how to cure kidney stones, from the paragraphs below.

Signs and symptoms

A kidney stone may or may not cause signs and symptoms until it has moved into the ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder and these signs and symptoms may occur:

• Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
• Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin
• Pain on urination
• Pink, red or brown urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent urge to urinate
• Fever and chills if an infection is present

Possible complications

Kidney stones may develop some complications that are rare because, in most cases, kidney stones can be quickly identified and treated before problems can occur. However, if a blockage occurs, there is a risk of infection and, in very rare cases; your kidney may be damaged.

But somehow possible complications depend on which treatment you have, and the size and position of your stones. They could include:

• sepsis: an infection that has spread through the blood, causing symptoms throughout the whole body
• steinstrasse: it is the medical name for a blockage that is caused by fragments of stone in the ureter (the tube that attaches each kidney to the bladder)
• an injury to the ureter
• urinary tract infection (UTI)
• bleeding during surgery
• pain

It is researched that between 5 and 9% of people may have complications after having ureterorenoscopy.

What causes

Sometimes the exact cause of kidney stones cannot be found, but they are usually formed following a build-up of a substance in the body, such as:

• calcium: a mineral that helps build strong teeth and bones
• ammonia: a colourless gas with a strong smell
• uric acid: a waste product that is produced when the body breaks down food to use as energy
• cystine: an amino acid that helps build protein /li>

Sometimes certain medical conditions, such as cancer or kidney disease, can also increase your risk of developing kidney stones. This is usually due to the treatment for these conditions.

Remember that you be more likely to develop kidney stones if you do not drink enough fluids.

Prevention

Patients who have had kidney stones should try to prevent a repeated occurrence. Some general observations include:

• The most important dietary recommendations for calcium stone risk are to increase fluid intake, restrict sodium, and reduce protein intake.
• Higher potassium intake can also lower the risk for calcium stones.
• A high-calcium diet does not appear to increase the risk for kidney stones as long as it also contains plenty of fluids, dietary potassium, and phosphate. (Increasing calcium alone may pose a modest risk for stones.)

Patients should try to correct any dietary habits that cause acidic or alkaline imbalances in the urine, which promote stone formation. There are different kidney stone types so specific dietary changes, patients should work with their doctors to develop an individualized plan. Nutritional considerations are very important in preventing recurrences, and patients should comply with the proper diet.

Treatment

Treatment for kidney stones can be in different conditions, depending on the type of stone and the cause.

Treatment for small stones with minimal symptoms:

• Drinking water. Drinking as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.8 liters) a day may help flush out your urinary system.
• Pain relievers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. To relieve mild pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).

Treatment for larger stones and those that cause symptoms

Kidney stones that can't be treated with conservative measures — either because they're too large to pass on their own or because they cause bleeding, kidney damage or ongoing urinary tract infections — may require more invasive treatment. Procedures include:

• Using sound waves to break up stones. A procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses sound waves to create strong vibrations called shock waves that break the stones into tiny pieces that are then passed in your urine. The procedure creates a loud noise and can cause moderate pain, so you may be under sedation or light anesthesia to make you comfortable. The specifics of your procedure may vary depending on the type of equipment your doctor uses.
• Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidney. A procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves surgically removing a kidney stone through a small incision in your back. This surgery may be recommended if extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been unsuccessful or if your stone is very large.
• Using a scope to remove stones. To remove a stone in your ureter or kidney, your doctor may pass a thin lighted tube (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera through your urethra and bladder to your ureter. Your doctor maneuvers the ureteroscope to the stone. Once the stone is located, special tools can snare the stone or break it into pieces that will pass in your urine.
• Parathyroid gland surgery. Some calcium stones are caused by overactive parathyroid glands, which are located on the four corners of your thyroid gland, just below your Adam's apple. When these glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, your body's level of calcium can become too high, resulting in excessive excretion of calcium in your urine. This is sometimes caused by a small benign tumor in one of your four parathyroid glands. A surgeon can remove the tumor or the parathyroid glands.