Kidney stones: Symptoms & treatment

Kidney stones: Symptoms & treatment
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Highlights

Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid  than the fluid in your urine can dilute.

Health Pulse

Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid than the fluid in your urine can dilute. At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.

Causes
Lifestyle strains and stresses are a big cause of kidney stone formation, often combined with chronic dehydration. Diet: A high protein diet, or a diet high in oxalates, phosphates and other minerals, can increase the risk of uric acid stones.

Symptoms
When kidney stones move through the urinary tract, they may cause, Severe pain in the back, belly, or groin. Other symptoms are frequent or painful urination, Diagnosis of kidney stones is best accomplished using an ultrasound, intravenous pyleography (IVP), or a CT scan.

Dignosis Diagnosis of kidney stones is best accomplished using an ultrasound, intravenous pyleography (IVP), or a CT scan. Most kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own with time. Treatment includes pain-control medications and, in some cases, medications to facilitate the passage of urine.

TreatmentMost kidney stones will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own with time. Treatment includes pain-control medications and, in some cases, medications to facilitate the passage of urine.blood in the urine, Nausea and vomiting. Pain relief may require narcotic medication.

The presence of infection requires treatment with antibiotics. Other medications include allopurinol for uric acid stones, diuretics, sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate phosphorus solutions.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy uses sound waves to break up large stones so they can more easily pass down the ureters into your bladder. This procedure can be uncomfortable and may require light anesthesia. It can cause bruising on the abdomen and back and bleeding around the kidney and nearby organs.

Proper hydration is a key preventive measure. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends drinking up to 12 glasses of water daily. Drinking more fluids increases the amount of urine you pass, which helps flush the kidneys. The Mayo Clinic recommends passing 2.5 liters of urine a day. You can substitute some glasses of water with ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and fruit juice.

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