Kidney Stones Symptoms & Treatments

Kidney Stones:

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form inside your kidneys. Kidney stones are made of mineral and acid salts. Kidney stones have many causes and form when the urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and stick together.

Kidney Stones Causes:

• Heredity: Some people are more susceptible to forming kidney stones, and heredity may play a role. The majority of kidney stones are made of calcium, and hypercalciuria (high levels of calcium in the urine) is a risk factor.
• Diet: Diet may or may not be an issue. If a person is susceptible to forming stones, then foods high in calcium may increase the risk; however, if a person isn’t susceptible to forming stones, diet will not change that risk.
• Medications: People taking diuretics (or “water pills”) and those who consume excess calcium-containing antacids can increase the amount of calcium in their urine and potentially increase their risk of forming stones. Taking excess amounts of vitamins A and D are also associated with higher levels of calcium in the urine.

You may have an increased risk of developing kidney stones if you:

• have a family history of kidney stones
• are aged between 20 and 50
• are taking certain medicines – for example indinavir (in the treatment of HIV infection) and taking too many laxatives or taking them too often
• have only one kidney, or an abnormally shaped kidney
• eat a diet high in protein
• don’t drink enough fluids

Kidney Stones Symptoms:
The main kidney stones symptoms are:

• get sudden spasms of excruciating pain – this usually starts in the back below your ribs, before radiating around your abdomen, and sometimes to your groin and genitals
• have bloody or cloudy urine
• feel sick or vomit
• feel a frequent urge to urinate, or a burning sensation during urination
• get fever and chills
• severe pain or ache on one or both sides of your back

Kidney Stones Prevention & Treatment:

• Prevention is always the preferable way to treat kidney stones.
• Remaining well hydrated and keeping the urine dilute will help prevent kidney stones from forming.
• There is little a person can do at home to control the debilitating pain and vomiting that can occur with a kidney stone other than to seek emergency care.
  • If this is the first episode and no previous diagnosis has been established, it is important to be seen by a health-care provider to confirm the diagnosis.
• Most kidney stones, given time, will pass on their own, and treatment is directed toward symptom control.