Passing a kidney stone can be very painful, but stones usually do not cause permanent damage if they are recognized in time. Depending on your condition, you may need nothing more than taking pain relievers and drinking plenty of water to pass the kidney stones. In other cases, for example, if stones are lodged in the urinary tract, are associated with a urinary tract infection or cause complications, surgery may be required.

Your doctor may recommend preventive treatment to reduce the risk of recurring kidney stones if you are at risk of developing them again.

Types of kidney stones

There are four main types of kidney stones:

• Calcium oxalate: The most common type of kidney stone that is created when calcium binds with oxalate in the urine. Insufficient calcium and fluid intake, among other conditions, may contribute to their formation.
• Uric acid: This is another basic sort of kidney stone. Foods such as organic meat and shellfish contain high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines. High purine intake increases the production of monosodium urate, which, under the right conditions, may form kidney stones. The development of these sorts of stones will in general altercation families.
• Struvite: These stones are less common and cause infections in the upper urinary tract.
• Cystine: These stones are uncommon and will in general altercation families.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

In the event that you have little kidney stones that move effectively through the urinary lot, you may have no manifestations, and you may never realize you have a kidney stone.

If you have large kidney stones, you may notice any of the following symptoms:

• Pain during urination
• Blood in urine
• Severe pain in the back or lower abdomen
• Vomiting and nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

Causes of kidney stones

Potential causes incorporate drinking too little water, working out (something over the top or excessively little), corpulence, weight reduction medical procedure, or eating food with a lot of salt or sugar. Infection and family history may be important for some people. Eating a lot of fructose is associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Fructose can be found in table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

Diagnosing Kidney Stones

Rarely, kidney stones are diagnosed before they begin to cause pain. This pain is often severe enough to send patients to the emergency room, where a variety of tests can detect stones. These may include a CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, and urinalysis. Blood tests can help to look for high levels of minerals involved in kidney stones.

A CT scan here shows a stone blocking the ureter, the channel that drains into the bladder.

Why kidney stones can be a problem

The stones do not always remain in the kidneys. Sometimes they travel from the kidneys to the ureters. The ureter is small and delicate, and the stones may be too large to pass smoothly through the ureter to the bladder.

The passage of the stones down the ureter can cause spasms and irritation of the ureter. This causes blood to appear in the urine.

Sometimes stones block the flow of urine. This is called urinary obstruction. A urinary tract blockage can lead to kidney inflammation and kidney damage.

Treatment

Kidney stone treatment primarily focuses on managing symptoms. Passing a stone can be very painful.

If a person has a history of kidney stones, home treatment may be appropriate. Individuals who have never had a kidney stone should speak with a doctor.

If hospitalization is required, the individual may be hydrated via an intravenous (IV) tube, and anti-inflammatory medication may also be given.

Drugs are often used to try to make the pain of passing a gallstone tolerable. Antiemetic medications can be used in people who have nausea and vomiting.

In some cases, a urologist may perform a shock wave treatment called lithotripsy. This is a treatment that breaks down kidney stones into smaller pieces and allows them to pass.

People with large stones located in areas that would not allow the stones to be dissolved may undergo surgical procedures, such as removing the stone via an incision in the back or by inserting a thin tube into the urethra.

Kidney stone prevention

Proper hydration is a key preventive measure. Mayo Clinic recommends drinking enough water to produce about 2.6 liters of urine each day. Increasing the amount of urine you pass helps clean the kidneys.

You can substitute ginger ale, lemon soda, and fruit juice for water to help you increase your fluid intake. If the stones are associated with low levels of citrate, citrate juices can help prevent stone formation.

Eating foods rich in oxalates in moderation and reducing your salt and animal protein intake can also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent calcium stones and uric acid. If you have ever had a kidney stone or are at risk of developing kidney stones, talk to your doctor and discuss the best prevention.

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