Causes of Kidney Stones?
A kidney stone is formed when there is an imbalance of fluids, salts and minerals in the kidney. If the urine in the kidney becomes too concentrated then the salts and minerals can crystallize together and form a small rock. Often the stone will sit inside the kidney and not be a problem, but if it makes its way out into the ureter (the tube between the kidneys and bladder) it can be intensely painful – depending on size. Some kidney stones are no bigger than a grain of sand and will be passed out in your urine without you ever knowing it existed. However, bigger stones are not so easy!
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Someone who has experienced the pain of passing a kidney stone will often describe it as “the worst pain I have ever felt”. When the stone moves from the kidney to the ureter it acts like a dam, hindering the natural course of urine flow. The urine starts to back up and the kidney begins to swell and this is the cause of the extreme pain.
The pain is often sudden and is felt in the back and the side where the kidney is located. The pain can also spread in waves to the lower abdomen and genital areas and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The pain is also infrequent in regards to its intensity. It alternates between severe ‘attacks’ that usually last between 20 – 60 minutes and periods of milder pain.
It is also very likely that there will be blood in the urine, giving it a mild pink or even red color. An infection of the urinary tract can also occur, producing a foul smelling urine.
If you have these symptoms visit your doctor immediately. Your doctor will usually give you an X ray and take a urine sample to confirm the diagnosis. The bad news is that nothing can be done. The doctor will usually just give you pain medication and tell you to drink lots of water until the stone is passed – and send you home. In rare cases the stone may be too big to pass, and additional treatment is required.
Prevention is Key
More often than not the root cause of kidney stones is dietary. In rare cases the problem can be hereditary or metabolic, and even then dietary changes can make a difference. To read more about this visit kidney stones symptoms .