|
|
Kidney Stones
Back to Kidney
page
-
| A kidney stone is a solid mass that consists of a collection of
tiny crystals. There can be one or more stones present at the same time
in the kidney or in the ureter. |
|
-
Renal calculi; Nephrolithiasis; Stones - kidney
|
|
-
|
Kidney stones may form when your urine
becomes too concentrated with certain substances. These substances may
create small crystals that become stones. The kidney stones may not
produce symptoms until they begin to move down the ureter, causing
pain. The pain is usually severe and often starts in the flank region,
then moves down to the groin.
Kidney stones are common. About 5% of women and 10% of men will have
at least one episode by age 70. A person who has had kidney stones
often gets them again in the future. Kidney stones are common in
premature infants.
Types of stones include:
-
Calcium stones are most common. They
are two to three times more common in men, usually appearing at age 20
to 30. Recurrence is likely. The calcium may combine with other
substances such as oxalate (the most common substance), phosphate, or
carbonate to form the stone. Oxalate is present in certain foods.
Diseases of the small intestine increase the tendency to form calcium
oxalate stones.
-
Uric acid stones are also more common
in men. They are associated with gout or chemotherapy. Uric acid stones
make up about 10% of all stones.
-
Cystine stones may form in persons
with cystinuria. It is a hereditary disorder affecting both men and
women.
-
Struvite stones are mainly found in
women as a result of urinary tract infection. They can grow very large
and may obstruct the kidney, ureter, or bladder.
Other substances may crystallize,
precipitate, and form stones.
|
|
-
- Flank pain or back pain
- on one or both sides
- progressive
- severe
- colicky (spasm-like)
- may radiate or move to lower in flank, pelvis, groin, genitals
- Nausea, vomiting
- Urinary frequency/urgency, increased (persistent urge to
urinate)
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain
- Painful urination
- Excessive urination at night
- Urinary hesitancy
- Testicle pain
- Groin pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Abnormal urine color
|
|
-
|
Pain may be severe enough to require narcotics. There may be
tenderness when the abdomen or back is touched. If stones are severe,
persistent, or come back again and again, there may be signs of kidney
failure.
- Straining the urine may capture urinary tract stones when they are
excreted.
- Analysis of the stone shows the type of stone.
- Urinalysis may show crystals and red blood cells in urine.
- Uric acid elevated
Stones or obstruction of the ureter may be seen on:
- Kidney ultrasound
- IVP (intravenous pyelogram)
- Abdominal x-rays
- Retrograde pyelogram
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal/kidney MRI
Tests may reveal high levels of calcium in the blood or urine.
- Urinary tract infection
- Obstruction of the ureter, acute unilateral obstructive
uropathy
- Kidney damage, scarring
- Decrease or loss of function of the affected kidney
|
|
-
|
If there is a history of stones, fluids
should be encouraged to produce adequate amounts of dilute urine
(usually 6 to 8 glasses of water per day). Depending on the type of
stone, medications or other measures may be recommended to prevent
recurrence.
|
|
|
|
