Wellness Blog

A kidney stone is a hard, stone-like object or crystals formed in the urinary tract. It might be so small that it would pass in the urine or large in size that it needs to be removed by surgery. Let's understand what causes a kidney stone, its symptoms, risk factors and the treatment options for the condition.

What is the cause of a kidney stone?

Your urine normally contains minerals, acid and other substances. If there is more of the substances or very little liquid, it adds up and forms stones or crystals in the urinary tract. You tend to pee a lot or cannot pee at all. A kidney stone can also occur due to other underlying medical conditions.

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

The most common symptom for a kidney stone is a pain in the side or lower back, which can spread towards the abdomen, lower back and groin. Some of the other

symptoms include:

1. Brown, pink or red urine
2. Urge to urinate
3. Smaller amounts of urine or inability to urinate
4. Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
5. Fever or chills

Some of the risk factors include:

1. Consuming very little water/fluids
2. More consumption of meat or protein-rich foods
3. Consuming food with high amounts of sugar or sodium
4. Any blockage in the urinary tract
5. Genetic condition of kidney stones
6. Other medical conditions such as UTI or gout

Diagnosis and Tests

The size, location and other factors for a kidney stone may vary. A patient undergoes few tests to diagnose the condition.

1. Urine tests - A urine test is done to know whether there is blood content in the urine.

2. Imaging Tests - Scans such as CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound are done to know the size and the location of the stone.

3. Blood Test - A blood test is done to know how well the kidneys are functioning and to check if there are any infections in the kidneys.

Management

How can I avoid kidney stones?

Some of the measures that can be taken to avoid kidney stones include:

1. Consuming lots of fluids
2. Lesser consumption of food containing sugar or sodium
3. Maintaining a weight that is optimal
4. Consuming lesser amounts of meat and protein-rich foods

Treatment and Care

How are kidney stones treated?

It mostly depends upon the size of the kidney stone, whether it is small or large. Small stones usually pass through easily - either through urine or medications given by a doctor for easy passing. Surgery is required when the stone is more than 10 mm, when the kidney is infected, when there's a heavy blockage in the urinary tract, or when the medications prescribed don't pass down the stones in the urine.

It is important to not ignore the signs of a kidney stone. Seek medical advice from a urologist for treatment and care.