The two kidneys, located below the ribs and toward the middle of the back, process the fluid wastes from the body to produce urine. The urine flows through ureters to the bladder, then out through the urethra. Stones can form at any point along the path and interrupt the flow of urine. Certain types of kidney stones are more common in women than in men.
Types
The four types of kidney stones are calcium, struvite, uric acid and cystine. Calcium stones, the most common type of kidney stones, are made from excess calcium that remains in the kidneys, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Struvite stones, made of ammonia, are more common in women. Uric acid stones are from an excess level of uric acid in the urine. Cystine stones are rare and usually run in families.
Symptoms
Kidney stone symptoms vary according to the size, shape and location of the stone. For stones small enough to pass, the pain usually starts in the kidney or upper urinary tract and follows the path of the stone to the bladder and as it passes through the urethra. Stones too large to pass easily cause pain as the muscle contractions along the path try to move the stone along and into the bladder.
Stone size is not as crucial to the extent of the pain as the shape. A tiny stone with sharp edges can cause excruciating pain, while many stones often have no symptoms, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other possible symptoms include nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine. Fever and chills may indicate an infection is present.
Risks
Risk factors for developing kidney stones increase for people with a family history of stones, if a person has already had one or more stones, adults between the ages of 30 and 50, people who eat a high-protein diet, individuals with a lack of fluid intake, and people with medical conditions such as frequent urinary tract infections. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones, but the incidence of kidney stones in women is on the increase, reports PDRhealth.com.
Treatment
Kidney stone treatment depends on the type of stone, location and size. If the stone is small enough to pass, pushing fluids of at least 6 or 8 glasses per day is essential to create a large amount of urine. Hospitalization may be required for administration of fluids intravenously.
The type of pain relievers depend on the extent of the pain and include narcotic and nonsteroidal medications for severe pain. Medications to reduce the formation of stones include allopurinol for uric acid stones, antibiotics for struvite stones, diuretics, phosphate solutions and sodium bicarbonate, according to MedlinePlus.com.
Surgery types that may be required for stones too large to pass include less invasive procedures such as extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy, or an open surgical procedure, if other methods are impossible.
