Ever feel like something’s wrong with the way you pee? Does it hurt? Have you ever considered having yourself checked? What you are feeling may already be kidney stone symptoms and to tell you, that’s not much of good news.
What is kidney stone?
“Nephrolithiasis” is a medical term used for those who have kidney stones. These stones are crystal-like and are hard solid minerals that are usually developed in our urinary tract or kidney. These stones are sometimes called “renal calculi,” which is composed of acid salts and minerals.
People who suffer from kidney stone conditions are expected to be in pain. It might be mild in the beginning. However, as it develops, the pain becomes severe and intolerable. Stones that are found in any part of the urinary tract is called “urolithiasis,” while stones found in the ureters are called “ureterolithiasis.”
Who are the targets?
Anyone can be a target; no one is safe from this condition. However, people who take certain medications or those who have some other medical condition end up with a higher risk of getting this disease.
People who are in their 20s to their late 40s usually experience kidney stone symptoms but it is believed that kidney stones are more common in men than in women. And those who have already developed stones during their mid-life are prone to more kidney stone attacks in the future. It only takes one kidney stone to be at risk for developing more.
Family history is a big factor that contributes in having this disease. It is common for people where the kidney stone condition runs in the family.
Pregnancy is also a very delicate situation. It is true that during pregnancy, there’s a lot of changes going on in the body, including the bladder’s diminished capacity since the uterus is getting bigger. Or the fact that during pregnancy, progesterone levels become so high it slows the urine passage or when they have an increase in their urinary calcium excretion. These are believed to be evidences of pregnant women acquiring kidney stone complications.
Causes of Kidney Stones
Kidney stone symptoms may not cause an alarm at first so be sure not to let your guard down. Be aware and alert at all times. But did you ever wonder what causes kidney stone? Or are you starting to think that you may already experience kidney stone symptoms?
Check if it may be caused by:
Dehydration: This happens when you reduce your fluid intake to the point where it does not suffice what you need. This act takes you to a higher risk of getting a kidney stone.
Urinary tract infection: When stones are caused by this factor, it is called struvite or infection stones.
Metabolism: Abnormal metabolism causes a lot of disorders and the possibility of developing kidney stones from this is one of the many since it can alter the composition of your urine.
Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions may cause a kidney stone disorder. These are:
Gout: This medical condition results into having a high level of uric acid in the blood as well as in our urine and developing uric acid kidney stone is one of the possible outcomes of this event.
Hypercalciura: a medical term coined for too much calcium that is being excreted through urine. This medical condition may lead one into having to feel kidney stone symptoms since there is a big possibility that the excess calcium be formed into calcium oxalate which is one kind of kidney stones.
Other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure or those people who have undergone intestinal bypass or surgery are also considered to be more prone in acquiring kidney stone.
Medications: Certain medications increase our risk in developing kidney stones; some of which are those medications which supplement us with too much calcium or the medication used for treating HIV.
Diet: The same as in handling stress, diet should also be managed well since it can make or break your future. Dietary problems could lead to a couple of diseases and one of which is to develop kidney stones. Eating foods that are high in salt, those who are having too much of animal protein, people who take in excessive sugary products, or those who are taking in vitamin D supplements are susceptible to this kind of disorder.
Factors affecting your chance of acquiring a kidney stone:
Family history
Being obese
Digestive disease and surgeries
Kidney Stone Symptoms:
Kidney stone symptoms are somehow silent. However, people suffering from the kidney stone condition were reported to have considered back and side pain which is characterized by cramping and no body position changes this pain. It begins mildly but may become so severe that nausea and vomiting happens. Blood in urine also characterizes one of the most common kidney stone symptoms.
Other kidney infection symptoms include:
When infection stones are in the urinary tract, fever and chills may be felt.
Difficulty in urinating or urinary urgency
Penile pain
Testicular pain
Cloudy urine
Foul-smelling urine
Urinating small amounts time after time
Fluctuating intensity levels of pain
If some of the kidney infection symptoms alert or worry you, then the best option is having a check-up. Call a doctor if:
The pain is already so severe you can no longer find a position wherein your body can relax.
When the pain felt is already accompanied by any of these:
- a) vomiting
- b) nausea
- c) chills
- d) fever
Your urine turns to color red–blood is already present
If you are having a difficult time and experience pain when peeing.
How can you be sure that what you are feeling are indeed kidney infection symptoms?
In order to be sure, of course, a doctor’s help is a must. You will be examined and if a pattern of kidney infection symptoms is found out to be in your system, better be ready. An exam is thoroughly done to disregard other conditions that could have led to one’s abdominal or flank pain.
An imaging test is the first step; however, patients are made to undergo a CT scan. This set of diagnosing and confirming the kidney infection symptoms is risky since, especially if the patient is a pregnant woman, one is being exposed to acertain amount of radiation. Today, an ultrasound together with abdominal X-ray is practiced. It is also proven to be effective in confirming a kidney stone infection.
Types of Kidney Stones
It is important to know the types of kidney stone to act as aid for deeper analysis of its causes. This will help lead you to tips on how to treat and what things to avoid in order to prevent developing kidney stones in the future.
Calcium stones
This is the most common kidney stone type and is often called “Calcium Oxalate.” Oxalate is a natural substance which is often found in vegetables, fruits, and nuts, as well as in chocolates. In fact, our livers produce oxalates, too. Dietary attention is needed for those who have calcium oxalates since diet, imbalanced metabolism, excessive vitamin D, and some surgeries can cause an increase in the concentration of calcium oxalate in urine.
Struvite stones
Struvite stones are the stones that are formed because of a urinary tract infection. These stones sometimes escalate in size in a short period of time. However, these stones emit warnings and kidney infection symptoms.
Crystine stones
These stones are formed when the body produces too much amino-acids. It is usually caused by a hereditary disorder.
Uric acid stones
When one does not drink ample amounts of fluid, lose too much fluid after exerting an effort, eat a high-protein diet, and for those who have gout, this kind of stone is usually formed. Genetic factor sometimes increases your risk of acquiring this kind of stone, too.
Can you treat it?
Kidney infection symptoms can be treated before it may become serious. Kidney infection symptoms are usually flushed down together with the stone in the urinary tract within 48-hours. Of course, this happens when enough fluids is taken.
Going for a check-up is a great idea. In fact, this way, you are able to be sure if you are really feeling symptoms for kidney disease or if it leads to other disorders.
Just a reminder, these things should be prepared:
Make a call to your physician. Ask what you need to prepare or do before the appointment. For example, no food intake for 4 hours.
Have a list of what you’re feeling like symptoms for kidney problems.
Observe and make a record of how much you drank and peed during a 24-hour period.
Write down all the medications, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking.
List all the questions you want to ask your doctor like:
Do I have kidney stone?
Is it possible to pass it through by simply urinating?
How large is it?
What type of kidney stone is it?
Where is the stone’s location?
What medications should I take?
Do I need to get a surgery?
Is it possible to develop another stone after I treat this one? What are the chances?
What diet shall I follow?
Shall I come back or should I look for a specialist?
Asking questions are helpful but you should also be ready to answer questions from your physician like those of:
What do you feel that leads you to thinking that you are having symptoms of kidney stone?
When did your symptoms start?
Is there a family history of this disorder?
Is there any position or any way to improve what you’re feeling?
What makes it worse?
How often do these symptoms happen to you?
Taking in medications can also help treat this disease. There are injectable anti-inflammatory drug and narcotics available to manage the pain since over-the-counter pain relievers are not that effective.
When kidney infection symptoms like nausea and vomiting are present, intravenous medications should be given but certain drugs which can lead to bleeding should be avoided.
No home treatments are proven to be effective but these can be made in order to control kidney infection symptoms and lessen the pain felt.
Stones are usually passed through the urinary tract by itself but many factors contribute to its possibility. If one cannot rapidly pass the kidney stone through the urinary tract, specific medicines are prescribed. If still unsuccessful, a procedure is done. “Lithotripsy” is the surgery done to eradicate these stones. This is done by using shock waves to break large stones into smaller portions for these to be easily passed in the urinary system. An incision may also be done to get rid of the stones; whether on the skin or through the use of a ureteroscope which is an instrument used inside the urethra, from the bladder up to the ureter.
Symptoms of kidney stones may be overlooked by one person. One might find out that what they’re feeling is actually leading them to having symptoms of kidney problems rather than having stones only. This can be treated but best if prevented.
What is the best way to treat the kidney stone condition? Of course, prevention is key. Why do you have to treat it if you can prevent getting kidney infection symptoms by drinking lots of fluid like water or lemon juice. When one has already passed a stone, it would be advised to bring it in a laboratory to be checked and have the necessary precautions to avoid developing more stones. Lastly, for those people who have the tendency to incur kidney stones through diet, better avoid eating foods which are high in oxalate or salt.