The kidney stones are the mineral deposits that develop within the kidneys. This can affect any part of the urinary tract and most often develop from the concentrated urine that causes the minerals to crystallize. Usually, this causes no permanent damage but can be painful. The size of the kidney stones varies in different sizes and shapes with some very small and other the size of a pea. In most of the cases, the kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract without causing any pain. However, when it blocks the urinary tract or develops complications, surgery may be required. The various types of the kidney stones include calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones and cystine stones. It is estimated that around 11 percent of male and 6 percent of females in the United States have kidney stones.
Causes
Kidney stones develop as the result of increased level of calcium, phosphorus and oxalate in the urine. Individuals who consume certain types of food are also at increased risk of developing kidney stones. Individuals with certain conditions such as gout, cystic kidney diseases, blockage of the urinary tract, chronic inflammation of the bowel and hypercalciuria are prone to develop kidney stones. Individuals taking certain medications such as diuretics, calcium-based antacids and certain anti-seizure medications are all likely to develop this problem.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with the kidney stones may develop when the stones move within the kidney or enter the ureter. In such cases, some of the symptoms include severe pain at the back below the ribs, pain on urination, frequent urination, fever if infection develops, pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and foul-smelling urine. The pain may last for a shorter or a longer duration that comes in waves and the additional symptoms can include nausea and vomiting.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the kidney stones is possible after the evaluation of the individual’s medical history, a physical examination and various tests. The lab tests can indicate if the urine contains increased levels of minerals that can develop the kidney stones. This can include the urinalysis that seeks for the presence of blood in the urine and minerals. The blood tests can also show high levels of various minerals that can develop the kidney stones. Additional imaging tests can include abdominal x-ray and a CT scan that can determine the location and the size of the kidney stones.
Treatment
The small kidney stones may not require any treatment and can pass through the urinary tract. In such cases, the kidney stones will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine the type and to devise a treatment plan to prevent it from developing again. The larger stones can block the urinary tract requiring immediate treatment. This can consist of procedures such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) that uses sound waves to break the stones, using a scope to remove the stones or in the case of a very large stone, a surgery may be required to remove it.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/treatment/con-20024829
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/treatment
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-stones/Pages/Introduction.aspx
