Kidney stones: symptoms, causes and treatment

Kidney stones, also known as kidney stones, are a very common condition that affects both men and women. They have a higher incidence in people who ingest little liquid every day. However, other factors such as diet and diseases that are suffered can increase the risk of suffering them.

Although they can be very painful for those who suffer from them, they are usually easily eliminated from the body, mainly without surgery, so it is a condition with a good prognosis. Do you want all the information about kidney stones? Keep reading because at FastlyHealwe explain the symptoms, causes, and treatment of kidney stones.

Types of kidney stones

Kidney stones are a solid mass that forms in this body due to increased substances in our urine. They can comprise one or more stones and be of various sizes.

When lodged in the kidney without moving, they do not usually cause discomfort. Still, if they move towards the urinary tract, they can cause significant pain, cause an obstruction in the urinary tract and generate various complications. Some stones can be removed on their own; others will need to be dissolved for later removal, while larger ones will have to be removed through surgical intervention.

To know the causes of kidney stones causing this condition, it is essential to understand the most common types and the substances involved in their formation.

• Calcium stones are formed when the excess calcium that we ingest in our diet cannot be adequately eliminated by the kidneys, accumulating in this organ and joining with other wastes to form stones in the area. These stones can be created by calcium oxalate, the most common type, or by calcium phosphate. They are most common in men in their 20s and 30s.
• Uric acid stones: Common in people with high uric acid levels in the blood, who can also suffer from conditions such as gout. They are usually more frequent in men than in women.
• Struvite stones: more common in women than in men. They occur in those who have recently had a urinary infection. They can cause significant blockages and discomfort.
• Cystine stones: these types of rocks are produced by a genetic disorder known as cystinuria, through which cystine leaks into the urine, causing this condition. Is it being transmitted from parents to children?

Why do I have kidney stones?

Once we are clear about the substances that contribute to the formation of kidney stones, it is easier to determine the risk factors for this condition.

Kidney stones are more common in:

• People with a low fluid intake who produce less than 1 liter of urine a day are at a higher risk of suffering from stones at some point in their life.
• Those with a diet rich in foods with calcium or oxalate such as dairy products, seafood, spinach, peppers, bluefish, or chocolate.
• Patients with a diet rich in foods that increase uric acids such as red meat, cold cuts, seafood, or beer.
• Women with frequent urinary tract infections.
• Those who have cases of kidney stones in their family.
• Frequent intake of certain medications can also cause these formations.

Symptoms of kidney stones

As long as the stones in the kidneys are in this organ, no symptoms may be present. However, when they move or begin to descend through the urinary tract, the signs of this condition will manifest.

The symptoms of kidney stones start suddenly and are characterized by:

• Sudden, severe pain in one side, lower back, or abdomen. The discomfort can also radiate to the groin and testicles in the case of men.
• Cloudy color in urine.
• However, the presence of blood in the urine does not always occur.
• Fever.
• In some cases, there is nausea, vomiting, and chills.

Treatment of this condition

Sudden, severe pain from this condition is one of the most common causes of medical emergencies. Once the patient is evaluated, various tests may be performed to diagnose this condition, such as blood tests to measure calcium or uric acid levels, urinalysis, and kidney tests.

Once the type of stone and its size are determined, then the doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

• Increased fluid and medication

When the stones are small, their natural expulsion is encouraged. For this, the specialist may recommend an increase in fluid intake and prescribe specific medication to facilitate the passage of the stone through the urinary tract or stimulate its dissolution and diuretics to increase the amount of urine and contribute to the process.

If there is an infection, antibiotics can also be prescribed, and analgesics in the event of pain and discomfort. Patients in great pain can be hospitalized to monitor the elimination process.

• Surgery to remove stones

This is the most common treatment for large kidney stones that cannot be expelled through the urethra, for those that block the expulsion of urine, and also for patients suffering from great pain. The doctor determines the type of intervention depending on the case. However, it is generally a minimally invasive intervention that provides excellent results.

Tips to prevent kidney stones

If the patient does not modify the habits that have led to the formation of stones in the kidneys, the rocks will likely reappear. For this reason, it is recommended to consider some suggestions to prevent stones in the kidneys and guarantee our health and welfare.

From FastlyHealwe recommend:

• Drink at least 2 liters of water a day, preferably low in minerals. Increasing your fluid intake is essential for proper kidney health. If the stones are derived from a urinary infection, consuming a little more liquid is recommended and never holding the urge to urinate for a long time.
• If the stones are made of calcium, it is essential to moderate the consumption of foods rich in calcium and oxalates and reduce the salt that produces an increase in fluid retention. Eating a balanced diet is necessary for our general health.
• It would be best to reduce your intake of foods that increase it and opt for healthier alternatives for uric acid calculations. In our article, foods to lower uric acid, we give you some good options. It is also important to follow medical recommendations to reduce its levels.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Kidney stones: symptoms, causes, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Kidneys and urinary system category.