What are they?

Kidney stones or renal stones are hard deposits that gather in the kidneys. They can vary in size, though they are normally quite small but can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
 

Kidney Stones

You could have kidney stones for years without knowing it, sometimes they may move towards the urethra (which is the tube which leads from the kidneys to the bladder), causing severe and sudden pain.

What causes them?

It is still unclear why exactly they form, but it is believed that high calcium levels may not filter correctly through the kidneys, forming crystals or ‘stones'. Over time these stones may get larger as the solids accumulate. Other factors which may contribute to stones forming is inadequate fluid intake and the acidity of your urine.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with kidney stones will not even know they have them and will pass them through when urinating, but sometimes kidney stones can cause problems, which can include:

• Blood in the urine
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Frequently needing to go to the toilet
• Recurring urinary infections.

If a stone passes from the kidneys into the urethra, very sudden pain can be caused that can also lead to nausea and vomiting. Men are more at risk of developing kidney stones than women and people over the age of 30 pose a higher risk again. If you have had a kidney stone in the past or if there is someone in your family with kidney stones then you may have a higher than normal risk of developing them.
 

How are they diagnosed?

If your DOCTOR suspects that you have kidney stones, s/he may send you for an ultrasound of the kidneys. This will show if there are any stones present in the kidneys or the urethra. S/he may also take a sample of urine and send it for testing. There may be blood in it that is not visible to the naked eye, but would be visible under a microscope.

What is the treatment?

If the stones do not pass through the urine, a ‘Lithotripsy' can be carried out – which is a procedure, which sends ultrasound waves into the stones to break them up. In the past open surgery was the ‘norm' for kidney stones. Dietary changes may be sufficient to help reduce the build up of calcium deposits in your kidneys. Reducing the intake of salts, chocolate, nuts, coffee and tea may help.


Written by Medpages Editorial Team
Last Editorial Review: 19/1/2010