According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases and Information Clearinghouse, most people consider kidney stones one of the most painful urologic disorders. A kidney stone, medically referred to as renal lithiasis, forms when crystals in the urine separate. Some crystals remain small and often pass through the urinary tract unnoticed, while larger stones pass with greater difficulty. Once a kidney stone is passed, a variety of aftereffects may occur.
Complications of Stone Removal
Some kidney stones do not naturally pass and, therefore, require surgical removal. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy breaks stones into small fragments, which are easier to pass. The procedure uses sound waves that are passed through the body until the dense stone ruptures. After the procedure, blood may be found in the urine for several days. Bruising and tenderness in the abdominal area may develop, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Additional Kidney Stones
After kidney stones pass, medical professionals stress the importance of preventing further stones. Most people who pass their first kidney stone are at high risk of suffering from future kidney stones. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 50 percent of people who develop a kidney stone will suffer from another stone within five to seven years. Medications may be prescribed to prevent stones from forming. Medications vary and depend on the specific cause and type of kidney stone.
Prevention
Drinking water daily helps to prevent kidney stones, reports the University of Illinois Medical Center. Patients may strive for a urinary output of 2.6 quarts per day. The National Kidney Foundation recommends drinking 12 glasses or more of water daily. Healthy urine should be a light yellow to clear color; it should not be a dark amber. Patients developing stones high in calcium oxalate should avoid foods such as rhubarb, beets, okra and sweet potatoes, reports MayoClinic.com. Foods low in salt and eating less animal protein may also be beneficial. Patients suffering from calcium-based kidney stones should consume two servings of calcium-rich foods daily, recommends the Cleveland Clinic.
