Summary
These are mineral deposits that form in the kidneys (the organs that filter blood to produce urine). They can cause excruciating pain, but generally do not cause physical damage to the body.
Causes and risk factors
Kidney stones develop when minerals and salts in the blood combine and crystallize. There are many different types of stones that can form from various substances.
Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney stones. The risk is higher if you consume a lot of salt, sugar, or protein, and if you don’t drink enough water. The risk is also greater if you have a personal or family history of kidney stones, are obese, or have certain medical conditions and comorbidities.
Symptoms
It is possible to have kidney stones and not experience any symptoms.
Some small stones may pass through the urinary flow unnoticed, but if a large stone breaks off from the kidney and gets stuck in the urinary tract, the pain can become intense and unbearable, resulting in sharp pain in the side and back, which then spreads to the abdomen and groin.
The pain may come in waves, while there is a frequent urge to urinate, which is often difficult and painful.
The urine may appear cloudy or contain blood, and may have a bad odor. Fever and chills may also occur.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on the individual’s needs. Medications for pain management and drinking plenty of water can help facilitate the passage of the stone through the urinary tract.
A medication that helps relax the body may also be beneficial to assist in the expulsion of the stone.
If there are further difficulties, the stone may be broken into smaller pieces using a technique called shockwave lithotripsy, where sound waves are directed at the stone to break it up.
In some cases, the blocked stone may need to be surgically removed or extracted with a catheter inserted through the urethra. The doctor can create a care plan tailored to the patient’s needs.
Overview
These are mineral deposits. They form in yourkidneys (the organs that filter your blood to produceurine). They can cause excruciating pain, buttypically they don’t cause physical harm to yourbody.
Causes and Risk Factors
Kidney stones develop when minerals and saltsfrom your blood stick together and crystallize. Thereare many different types of stones, and they canform from different substances. Certain factors canincrease your risk for kidney stones. Your risk ishigher if you eat a lot of salt, sugar or protein, and ifyou don’t drink enough water. You have a higherrisk if you have a personal or a family history ofkidney stones. You have a higher risk if you areobese. And, certain diseases and medicalconditions can increase your risk.
Symptoms
You can have stones in your kidneys and not haveany symptoms. Small stones can pass out of yourbody through your urine stream without younoticing. But when a large stone leaves your kidneyand gets stuck in your urinary tract, it can causesevere pain. You may feel sharp pain in your sideand back. This can spread to your abdomen andgroin. The pain may come in waves. You may feel afrequent urge to urinate, and urinating may bepainful and difficult. Your urine may be bloody orcloudy. It may smell bad. You may develop a feverand chills.
Treatment
Treatment options depend on your needs. You maybenefit from medications to control your pain, andby drinking lots of water to help pass the stone fromyour body. You may benefit from a medication thathelps your body relax to pass the stone. If thesearen’t helpful, your stone can be broken into smallerpieces with a treatment that bombards the stonewith sound waves that are passed through yourbody. A stone that is stuck may need to beremoved surgically or with a scope inserted throughyour urethra. Your healthcare provider can create acare plan that is right for your needs.
