One out of three people may experience a kidney stone at some point. A kidney stone is a hard object formed from chemicals in the urine. Various wastes get dissolved in the urine, and when there is too much waste in too little liquid, crystals begin to form. These crystals attract other elements and join together to form a solid material that gets larger unless passed out of the body through urine.
After it is formed, the stone may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter. In some cases, tiny stones move out of the body without causing too much pain. But stones that don’t move may cause back-up urine in the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra. These stones cause no permanent damage; however, they are known to cause significant pain in the body. If not treated on time, the pain may aggravate and interfere with your daily life.
What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?
The size of some kidney stones is as tiny as a grain of sand. On the other hand, others may be as large as a pebble. A few of them may also be as large as a golf ball. The larger the stone, the more symptoms will be noticeable. Here are the common symptoms of kidney stones.
- Severe pain on either side of the lower back
- Vague pain or stomach pain that doesn’t go away
- Blood in the urine
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fever and chills
- Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
Kidney stone starts hurting when it causes blockage or irritation building rapidly to extreme pain. Depending on the type of kidney stone, the gravity of pain may vary.
What are the Different Types of Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are divided into the following types:
Calcium Oxalate Stones
It is the most common type of kidney stone. Calcium oxalate stones are caused when the urine contains low levels of citrate and high levels of calcium and either oxalate or uric acid. These stones are linked with foods high in oxalate – a naturally occurring substance in animals and plants. These food items include black tea, beetroot, chocolate, nuts, potatoes, and spinach.
When you develop this stone, the kidney specialist may recommend further evaluation of your urinary function and metabolism. You may require urine collection and some blood tests. The treatment, along with the medication, includes dietary modifications to reduce the recurrence of the stone.
Calcium Phosphate Stones
Calcium phosphate kidney stones take place as a result of abnormalities in the manner of urinary tract functions. The doctor may order a series of blood and urine tests to check whether any urinary or kidney problem is causing this type of stone. In many cases, this kidney stone develops along with calcium oxalate stones.
Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are more common in women than men. They form due to certain types of urinary tract infections and struvite, a mineral produced by bacteria. They tend to grow quickly and become large, and in some cases, they may even occupy the entire kidney, leading to health complications. Struvite stones shouldn’t be left untreated as they may lead to frequent and severe urinary tract infections. In some cases, they may also result in the loss of kidney functions.
Uric Acid Stones
Uric acid stones are more common in men than women and tend to develop in people who don’t drink more water or have a diet of animal protein. These stones are likely to occur in people who have gout or a family history of this type of stones. Uric acid may also develop in people who have had chemotherapy. Food items, such as organ meats and shellfish have high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines. High purine intake results in a higher production of monosodium urate, which may form stones in the kidneys.
Cystine Stones
Cystine stones are a hereditary genetic disorder called cystinuria, which may lead to excessive amounts of the amino cysteine accumulating in the urine. It may result in the formation of stones in the kidneys, bladder, and uterus that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
What is the Treatment of Kidney Stones?
The treatment of kidney stones includes medication and lifestyle changes. You may be asked to drink water to let the stone pass out of the urine. However, if the size is too large or blocks the flow of urine, it will be removed with surgery. Shock-wave lithotripsy is a non-invasive procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to blast the stone into small pieces so it can be passed out.
Takeaway
At some point in time, kidney stones becomes an alarming. situation It is, therefore, advised to be watchful of the symptoms of the condition and talk to your doctor about the same. Altering your lifestyle by a few changes will lead to better recovery and management.