Sunday, October 08, 2006
What are Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline substance that develops on the inner walls of the kidneys. Dissolved substances in the urine, build up to form the kidney stone. The urinary tract contains chemicals that stop the formation of these crystals. Unfortunately, these chemicals do not work properly in some people. Usually these crystal formations stay small and will not even be noticed when they exit the body; but this is not always the case. Sometimes kidney stones can form in parts of the urinary tract other than the kidneys.
It is currently unclear exactly what causes kidney stones to develop. Usually kidney stones contain large portions of calcium oxalate, which is a compound that forms sharp and pointed crystals. Calcium oxalate is contained in foods such as: coffee, tea, beets, chocolate, wheat bran, soft drinks, nuts, tomatoes, strawberries, and leafy green vegetables like spinach or rhubarb. If you have had a kidney stone before, your doctor may tell you to limit your intake of foods such as these.
There are usually no symptoms of kidney stones. When the stone begins to move out of the kidney and through ureter, (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder) sudden and extreme pain occurs. This pain is usually feels like sharp cramps in the back of the kidney and in the lower torso area. The pain is the result of the stone actually blocking the urine flow. The urine backs up and puts intense pressure on the urinary tract. As a result of this you may have blood in your urine. When the stone gets close to the bladder, (the pouch where urine is stored) you may feel nauseated, vomit, or have a burning feeling during urination.
Usually surgery is not necessary, as that the stone will pass on its own. During the pass of a kidney stone, you should drink large quantities of water. Doctors can also prescribe pain medication to cope with this process. A doctor will have you catch the stone in a tea strainer so tests can be preformed on it. The stones composition along with other blood and urine tests can help a doctor tell you what should be done to help prevent another stone from forming. If the stone does not pass on its own, surgery may be needed.
There are three types of sugary for this problem. The most common type of surgery is Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL). ESWL is a treatment in which shockwaves are focused into the torso to actually shatter the kidney stone. The small fragments can then pass through the urinary tract. The second type of surgery is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. This type of surgery is used for particularly large stones. This surgery is where a cut is made in the back, creating a direct root to the kidney for removal of the stone. The third type of surgery is Ureteroscopic Stone Removal. In this process, an ureteroscope (a tiny fiber-optic tool) is inserted into the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body). It travels up through the bladder into the ureter, where the stone can be trapped and then pulled out.
It is currently unclear exactly what causes kidney stones to develop. Usually kidney stones contain large portions of calcium oxalate, which is a compound that forms sharp and pointed crystals. Calcium oxalate is contained in foods such as: coffee, tea, beets, chocolate, wheat bran, soft drinks, nuts, tomatoes, strawberries, and leafy green vegetables like spinach or rhubarb. If you have had a kidney stone before, your doctor may tell you to limit your intake of foods such as these.
There are usually no symptoms of kidney stones. When the stone begins to move out of the kidney and through ureter, (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder) sudden and extreme pain occurs. This pain is usually feels like sharp cramps in the back of the kidney and in the lower torso area. The pain is the result of the stone actually blocking the urine flow. The urine backs up and puts intense pressure on the urinary tract. As a result of this you may have blood in your urine. When the stone gets close to the bladder, (the pouch where urine is stored) you may feel nauseated, vomit, or have a burning feeling during urination.
Usually surgery is not necessary, as that the stone will pass on its own. During the pass of a kidney stone, you should drink large quantities of water. Doctors can also prescribe pain medication to cope with this process. A doctor will have you catch the stone in a tea strainer so tests can be preformed on it. The stones composition along with other blood and urine tests can help a doctor tell you what should be done to help prevent another stone from forming. If the stone does not pass on its own, surgery may be needed.
There are three types of sugary for this problem. The most common type of surgery is Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL). ESWL is a treatment in which shockwaves are focused into the torso to actually shatter the kidney stone. The small fragments can then pass through the urinary tract. The second type of surgery is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. This type of surgery is used for particularly large stones. This surgery is where a cut is made in the back, creating a direct root to the kidney for removal of the stone. The third type of surgery is Ureteroscopic Stone Removal. In this process, an ureteroscope (a tiny fiber-optic tool) is inserted into the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body). It travels up through the bladder into the ureter, where the stone can be trapped and then pulled out.
