Kidney stones (also referred to as renal lithiasis and nephrolithiasis) are small and hard deposits made of mineral and acid salts that form inside the kidneys.
Kidney stones have many causes. They can affect any part of the urinary tract, from kidney to bladder. Kidney stones often form when urine is more concentrated than usual.
Passing kidney stones can be very unpleasant and extremely painful. However, stones usually cause no permanent damage. Sometimes stones are lodged in the urinary tract and cause complications. In such cases usually surgery is applied.
A kidney stone may not cause symptoms in early stages.
When it moves within the kidney or passes into the ureter, the patient may experience some of the following symptoms:
• Intense pain, sometimes coming in waves
• Pressure in the lower side and back
• Pain spreading to the lower abdomen and/or groin
• Severe pain during urination
• Discoloration of urine
• Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Persistent need to urinate
• Urinating more often
• Fever and chills (sign of infection)
Kidney stones related pain may change, i.e. shifting location or increasing it’s intensity as the stone/s moves through the urinary tract.
When to see a medical specialist? When to go to the emergency room?
Make a doctor’s appointment right away if you have any discomfort. Seek immediate medical attention and visit an emergency room and/ or hospital of your choice if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
• Pain that is so intense that you can't sit still or find comfortable position
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain with fever and chills
• Blood in urine
• Difficulty passing urine
Main causes
What are the main causes for kidney stones?
Kidney stones often have no definite cause. Nevertheless, there are several factors that may increase the risk of developing kidney stone.
What types of kidney stones exist?
Among the main types of kidney stones are:
• Calcium stones
• Struvite stones
• Uric acid stones
• Cystine stones
• Other stones
Among the factors increasing the risk of developing kidney stones are:
• Family or personal history
• Dehydration
• Certain diets high in protein, sodium and sugar
• Obesity
• Digestive diseases
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic diarrhea
• Other medical conditions (incl. renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism)
• Certain medications
• Urinary tract infections
Treatment
Basically, the specific treatment for kidney stones varies greatly, depending on the certain type of stone and the main underlying cause of development. Many kidney stones don't require immediate of invasive treatment, they just “pass by”. With other cases surgical intervention may be needed.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes to help with kidney stones or prevent their development
Patients can greatly reduce the risk of kidney stones if they:
• Drink more water
• Eat fewer foods that are rich in oxalate
• Eat more food rich in calcium
• Get routine medical examinations
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