Nephrolithiasis, more commonly referred to as kidney stones, is a condition characterized by the development of hard deposits in the kidneys. Kidney stones are composed of small crystals that form from a combination of minerals and salts. The most common type of kidney stone, a calcium oxalate stone, forms when calcium and oxalate come together in your urinary tract.
Physiology
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Normally, your kidneys filter out waste products and excess fluid from your blood and concentrate it into urine. Your urine contains various chemicals that keep the waste products and fluid in a solution and prevents them from separating. After urine is produced, it travels through the ureters and into the bladder, where it is stored until it is expelled from the body through the urethra.
Formation of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form when the urine does not remain in a fluid in solution or when the amount of waste products your kidneys are filtering is extremely high. Specifically, calcium oxalate stones from when oxalate levels in your body are high. Calcium and oxalate combine together and form small crystals that clump together to form a hard mass. The oxalate in your body comes from the food you eat and your liver can also produce it.
Symptoms
If a calcium oxalate kidney stone gets so large that it blocks the flow of urine into the bladder, it can cause severe pain in the side and back that can radiate into the abdomen. A kidney stone may also cause pain during urination, changes in urine color, nausea, vomiting and increased urinary frequency. If an infection develops as a result of the kidney stone, it can cause fever and chills.
Treatment
Most kidney stones pass on their own without any medical intervention. Increasing water intake can help flush out the kidneys and create a large volume of urine, which can help you pass kidney stones faster. If kidney stones are too large to pass on their own, medical treatment may be necessary.
A procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses the vibrations from sound waves in an attempt to break kidney stones into smaller pieces so that they can pass. If this is not successful, invasive surgery may be necessary to physically remove the stones.
Foods to Avoid
If you are prone to developing calcium oxalate kidney stones, avoid foods that are high in oxalate. High-oxalate foods include rhubarb, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, peanuts, okra, chocolate and sweet potatoes. Foods that contain medium amounts of oxalate and should be eaten sparingly include grapes, celery, green pepper, raspberries and strawberries.
Member Comments