Kidney stones are one of the oldest and most painful urologic diseases in the world.
The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse reports that every year, kidney stone problems account for more than 3 million doctor visits. More than 500,000 of these cases require a visit to the emergency room.
Description
According to an article on kidney stones by the Mayo Clinic, stones form when the substances found in urine are not balanced. Minerals such as calcium, uric acid and oxalate can form crystals in the urine when there is not enough fluid to dilute them. Eventually, these substances can coagulate enough to form kidney stones. Sometimes this happens when certain fluids that usually keep these particles from sticking together are in short supply.
Types
There are four known types of kidney stones that each contain different substances, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. The most common type of stones is calcium. These stones are made up of a combination of calcium and oxalate. Another type is a cystine stone. This is more common in those who have cystinuria--a genetic condition in which there is too much cystine in the urine, causing stones. Struvite stones are kidney stones that are most common in women with a urinary tract infection. Uric acid stones are typically formed in those who have gout or undergo chemotherapy.
Symptoms
Symptoms of kidney stones are usually painful and don't go away until the stone is either removed or passed through the urine. Some symptoms can include extreme pain in the side or back just below the ribs. This pain can be accompanied by painful urination, discolored urine--often due to the presence of blood--or a persistent urge to urinate. Symptoms may mirror those of a urinary tract infection. If there is an infection present, you may experience a fever or chills, says the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment
Prescribing the right treatment is often dependent on the type of stone you may have. If the stones are small enough, you may be able to pass them through urine. Your doctor will advise drinking plenty of water to help flush the stones out. Because passing stones may cause discomfort, pain relievers may be taken to ease suffering. Stones that are larger may require surgical treatment or the use of sound waves to break them up, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
Certain lifestyle changes may help prevent the development of kidney stones. Typically foods rich in oxalate--the substance that binds to calcium to form kidney stones--should be avoided or eaten less frequently, according to the National Kidney Foundation. The Mayo Clinic advises that a diet low in sodium and animal protein may also be an effective prevention measure for kidney stones.
