Dr. Donald Sonn - The Treatment and Prevention of Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard, crystalline deposits that are formed within the kidney or urinary tract. The medical term is Nephrolithiasis, and it is a condition where patients can experience severe pain and blood in the urine. Kidney stones form in the kidney or urinary tract when there is a decrease in urine volume, and when there is a high concentration of crystals in the urine. Kidney stones are diagnosed with a two 24-hour urine samples and a blood test.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Low Urine Volume

Some patients diagnosed with kidney stones have a low urine volume and treatment will include drinking more water. When the fluid intake is increased, it will help in diluting the urine and flushing out the crystals in the urine. Doctors recommend drinking sufficient water to urinate at least two litres a day.

Hypercalciuria – Excess of Calcium in the Urine

When the patient has an excess of calcium in the urine, the treatment will differ.

Thiazide Diuretics – Thiazide Diuretics or "water pills" are medications that flush fluid from the body. These drugs may be prescribed by the urologist, to flush out the extra calcium in the urine. The treatment will help keep calcium in the bones thus preventing osteoporosis.

Low Sodium Diet – Excess sodium in the diet cause more calcium to be excreted. The more sodium you consume in your diet, the more calcium will end up in your urine. To reduce calcium build up in your urine, reduce your sodium intake.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Hypocitraturia

Too little citrate in the urine will also contribute to kidney stones. Citrate is a molecule that attaches itself to calcium in the urine and prevents the calcium from binding to phosphate or oxalate and forming a stone. Treatment for this condition could include potassium citrate supplements for patients with normal potassium levels. For patients with high blood pressure, doctors may prescribe sodium citrate supplements.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperoxaluria

Hyperoxaluria is the condition with an excess of oxalate in the urine. Oxalates are natural substances found in animals, plants and humans. It is a group of molecules commonly referred to as "organic acids". Oxalates are found in several healthy foods. Patients with calcium oxalate stones will need to reduce their dietary oxalates intake. If excess oxalates are consumed, flush the extra oxalates out by drinking more water.

Dr. Donald Sonn is an experienced urologist with over seventeen years’ experience in treating people with urological problems.

The Author writes articles for medical and business field. He has also contributed to Wikipedia, Squidoo and Hubpages. His articles have been published in print as well as online magazines.