Kidney Stones: What Are They?

Anyone can develop a kidney stone, no matter what his or her age is. However, people with certain conditions and diseases (see below) are more likely to their formation than others. In industrialized nations, kidney stones are much more frequent than stones in the urinary bladder. The reasons for this are many. People live much longer than hunter-gatherers, so diseases that have been cured through alternative treatments take more time to show up.

Kidney stone symptoms usually include pain in the lower back, right lower side, or side of the abdomen. Some people even feel pain just before urinating. As a result, some people avoid drinking caffeine and other drugs known to aggravate stone formation because of the possibility of stone pain. Other drugs, such as alcohol, may cause a burning sensation or even nausea when taken with urine. Other types of medication may interfere with certain medications that prevent kidney stones, so it is important to talk to your doctor about alternate treatments.

Oxalate Kidney stones form mainly because of excess amounts of calcium and oxalate in the urine. Kidney calcium and oxalate levels peak during strenuous physical activity, such as exercise, and naturally drop after a period of rest. Excessive amounts of calcium and oxalate can be found in dairy products, green vegetables, and animal proteins like meat. Certain drugs, including diuretics, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs, can contribute to the formation of oxalate. Alcohol intake increases oxalate levels in the urine, so it's wise to drink enough water during the day. A balanced diet with lean proteins and vegetables minimizes the risks of kidney stones.

Calcium Kidney stones may start with small amounts of calcium in the urine, and they will usually pass after a few weeks. Generally, the symptoms include frequent urges to urinate, especially at night. Smaller stones may feel different from larger ones, but they often cause no pain at all. They may also produce an orange-colored liquid, sometimes described as smelling like baking soda. When passing, they may feel heavier and might not pass at all.

Different Types The symptoms are varied for different types of kidney stones. Some common ones include sudden pain when urinating, nausea, heartburn, vomiting, dark urine, and cloudy urine. If you experience more than four of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Calcium Carbonate Kidney stones come from calcium stones, which are formed when calcium combines with oxalate in the kidneys. Sometimes, oxalate forms in combination with calcium, producing cement-like kidney stones. Different types of calcium stones have different compositions, depending on their crystal size. For example, calcium carbonate is harder and less elastic than calcium pyroxide.

Pain relievers or over-the-counter medications are usually prescribed by doctors. Pain relievers will make you urinate more frequently, as well as prevent urinary stones from forming. Antiseptics may also be prescribed, if pain killers aren't enough to ease your pain. If you drink any amounts of alcohol, you should stop drinking and avoid eating foods high in oxalate, as they can increase the amount of uric acid in your system.

Kidney stones form in the kidneys for a number of reasons. Most of the time, it's because of too much fluid in your body-some of which may be as a result of being dehydrated. The calcium and oxalate mix in with the water and can form either calcium carbonate or struvite stones. Kidney stones usually form in the large intestine-where most of the liquid waste produced by the body goes. Kidney stones cause severe symptoms, mostly in the form of pain in the lower back and left kidney, as well as nausea and vomiting. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately to find out what causes them and how to get rid of them.

Associate Professor Paul Cozzi offers a comprehensive Urological practice specialising in the treatment of prostate, kidney, testicular and bladder cancers, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia.