Kidney Stone

What are kidney stone?

Kidney stones, also known as calculi, are hardened deposits that form in the kidney. A kidney stone is made from chemicals in the urine. There are five types of kidney stones:
1. Calcium oxalate: Most common type of kidney stone that is created when calcium and oxalates combined in the urine
2. Calcium phosphate: Can be associated with renal tubular acidosis and hyperparathyroidism
3. Uric acid: Can be associated with a diet high in organ meats and shellfish
4. Struvite: Less common type of kidney stones that is caused by infections in the upper urinary tract
5. Cystine: Rare and tend to run in families with a history of cystinuria.
Kidney stones can be a serious problem. In the United States, each year around more than half a million people are brought to the emergency rooms due to kidney stone problems.

What are the causes of kidney stones?

Among the several causes of kidney stones are excess body weight, some medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, certain supplements, diet, certain medications, drinking too little water, or eating too much salty and sweet food. Eating too much fructose is associated with the increase of risk of developing a kidney stone.

What are the symptoms if you have kidney stones?

A kidney stone that is small enough can through the ureter with no symptoms. However, when the stone is large enough, it can be hard to pass through and may stay in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract into the ureter and can cause blockage. The larger the stone the more evident the symptoms are.
Possible symptoms include blood in urine, severe pain on either side of your lower back, more vague pain or stomachache, nausea or vomiting, fever and chills and cloudy looking urine.

What can be done?

See a doctor as soon as possible if you have any symptoms of having kidney stones.
The diagnosis for kidney stones starts with the medical history, physical examination, and certain tests such as imaging tests where the exact shape and size of the stone can be determined.

The treatment for kidney stones for both men and women is similar. Initial treatment options can include drinking more water and medication for pain or to help the stone pass. But if it is too large and if there is a sign of infection, a surgery is done to remove the kidney stone.

Shock Wave Lithotripsy is a noninvasive procedure that uses high-energy show waves to break larger stones into fragments. Ureteroscopy uses endoscope to remove the stone. For very large and complicated stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy is the procedure done to remove the stone surgically from the back.

Dr. Lauren Byrne understands the pain that you are going through. For kidney stones treatment in Phoenix, Chandler & Gilbert, AZ call us today and schedule an appointment.