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Kidney stones

by Alivia Nyhan

Kidney stones are a very common problem, affecting around 1 in 10 people. They can be very painful, and can sometimes lead to other problems such as urinary tract infections. There are many different types of kidney stones, and they can vary in size from tiny grains of sand to large pebbles. Treatment for kidney stones depends on the type and size of the stone but can include pain relief, drinking plenty of fluids, and passing the stone out of the body.

How common are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are a fairly common condition, affecting around 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. They’re more common in men than women and tend to run in families.

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a small, hard mass that forms in the kidney. Kidney stones are made of minerals and acid salts. Kidney stones can form when the urine becomes too concentrated. This can happen when there is not enough fluid in the body or when the body makes too much of certain substances.

Causes of kidney stones

Causes of kidney stones include: not drinking enough fluids, dehydration, gout, certain genetic disorders, and diets high in animal protein, sodium, and sugar. Treatments for kidney stones include: drinking plenty of fluids, taking pain relievers, and passing the stone. Surgery may also be necessary in some cases. Grit in the kidneys can cause kidney stones. Stones can also form when there is too much of a certain substance in your urine. When this happens, crystals can form and grow into stones.

Types of kidney stones

Kidney stones are made of different materials. The most common type of kidney stone is made of calcium. Other kidney stones include struvite stones, which are made of magnesium and ammonia; cystine stones, which are made of the amino acid cystine; and uric acid stones, which are made of uric acid.

Kidney stone symptoms

Kidney stone symptoms include sharp pain in your side, back, groin, or lower abdomen, pain while urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, and the inability to urinate. If you think you have kidney stones, see a doctor right away.

Kidney stone treatment

Kidney stone treatment depends on the size of the stone. Small kidney stones may pass through your urinary tract on their own. If your kidney stone is too large to pass through your urinary tract, you may need surgery to remove it.
There are several different types of surgery that can be used to remove a kidney stone. If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of kidney stones, there are a few herbs that may be able to help.

Chanca piedra, for example, is a traditional remedy for kidney stones that have been used for centuries in South America.  Lithotripsy is a medical procedure used to treat kidney stones. The patient is given a local or general anesthetic and then placed on a table. There are certain foods that can help prevent kidney stones, as well as foods that should be avoided. Foods high in calcium, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, are good for preventing kidney stones. Care after a kidney stone operation is important. You will likely have some pain as your body heals. You may also need to take antibiotics to prevent infection.

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