A Visual Guide to
Kidney Stones
What Are Kidney Stones?
As the kidneys filter waste from the
blood, they create urine. Sometimes, salts and other minerals in urine stick
together to form small kidney stones. These range from the size of a sugar
crystal to a ping pong ball, but they are rarely noticed unless they cause a
blockage. They may cause intense pain if they break loose and push into the
ureters, the narrow ducts leWhat Are Kidney
Stones?
As the
kidneys filter waste from the blood, they create urine. Sometimes, salts and
other minerals in urine stick together to form small kidney stones. These range
from the size of a sugar crystal to a ping pong ball, but they are rarely
noticed unless they cause a blockage. They may cause intense pain if they break
loose and push into the ureters, the narrow ducts leading to the bladder.
. What Are Kidney Stones?
As the
kidneys filter waste from the blood, they create urine. Sometimes, salts and
other minerals in urine stick together to form small kidney stones. These range
from the size of a sugar crystal to a ping pong ball, but they are rarely
noticed unless they cause a blockage. They may cause intense pain if they break
loose and push into the ureters, the narrow ducts leading to the bladder.
Kidney Stone Symptoms
When
kidney stones move through the urinary tract, they may cause:
·
Severe pain in the back, belly, or groin
·
Frequent or painful urination
·
Blood in the urine
·
Nausea and vomiting
Small
stones may pass without causing symptoms.
Kidney Stone or Something Else?
If you have sudden, severe pain in the
back or belly, it's best to seek medical care right away. Abdominal pain is
associated with many other conditions, including emergencies like appendicitis
and ectopic pregnancy. Painful urination is also a common symptom of a urinary
tract infection or an STD.
Diagnosing Kidney Stones
Kidney
stones are rarely diagnosed before they begin causing pain. This pain is often
severe enough to send patients to the ER, where a variety of tests can uncover
the stones. These may include a CT scan, X-rays, ultrasound, and urinalysis.
Blood tests can help look for high levels of minerals involved in forming
kidney stones.
The CT scan here shows a stone blocking the ureter, the
duct that empties into the bladder.
Home Care for Kidney Stones
If a
kidney stone seems small enough, your doctor may recommend you take pain
medicine and wait for the stone to pass out of the body on its own. During this
time, your doctor may recommend that you drink enough water and fluids to keep
urine clear -- about eight to 10 glasses a day.
How Small Is Small Enough?
The smaller the kidney stone, the more
likely it will pass on its own. If it is smaller than 5 mm (1/5 inch), there is
a 90% chance it will pass without further intervention. If the stone is between
5 mm and 10 mm, the odds are 50%. If a stone is too large to pass on its own,
several treatment options are availaTreatment:
Medication
There
are prescription medications that can help the body pass a kidney stone. Drugs
known as alpha-blockers relax the walls of the ureter. This widens the passages
so a stone can fit through more easily. Side effects are generally mild and may
include headache or dizziness. Other types of medications can help prevent new
stones from forming.
Treatment: Shock Wave Therapy
The most common medical procedure for
treating kidney stones is known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
(ESWL). This therapy uses high-energy shock waves to break a kidney stone into
little pieces. The small pieces can then move through the urinary tract more
easily. Side effects can include bleeding, bruising, or pain after the
procedure
Treatment: Ureteroscopy
When a
stone has made its way out of the kidney and is close to the bladder, the most
common procedure is ureteroscopy. A thin tube is passed through the urinary
tract to the location of the stone. A surgeon breaks up the stone and removes
the fragments through the tube. No incisions are made in the body. For very
large stones, surgical procedures may be needed
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