The function of kidneys in your body is to remove waste and fluid from your blood to make urine. At times, when there is too much of certain wastes but less fluid in your blood, these wastes can build up and stick together in your kidneys These clumps are called kidney stones.
Kidney stones can be larger than a pearl or as small as a grain of sand.
Symptoms
A very small kidney stone can move through your urinary tract and has no symptoms. When the stone moves around within your kidney, or when it moves into your ureter, symptoms will appear. The flow of urine may be blocked, if it gets stuck in the ureter. The kidney will swell and the ureter will spasm, which is a painful condition
In that case, following signs and symptoms are observed:
Sharp and severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
Pain spreading to the lower abdomen and groin
Pain starting in waves and fluctuating in intensity
Pain or burning sensation while urinating
Other signs and symptoms
Pink, brown or red urine
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Pain accompanied by fever and chills
Blood in your urine
Difficulty in passing urine
Nausea and vomiting
Fever and chills
Causes
Kidney stones are formed when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as Calcium, Oxalate and Uric Acid -than the fluid in your urine can dilute. If your urine lacks substances that can prevent the crystals from sticking together, kidney stones are formed.
Types of Kidney Stones
It is essential to know the type of kidney stone you have so that its cause can be determined and also to know how to reduce your risk of getting more kidney stones It would be advisable to save your kidney stone if you pass one so that you can take it to your doctor for analysis
Following are the types of kidney stones:
Calcium Stones
These are the most common type, usually found in the form of Calcium oxalate and sometimes in the form of Calcium phosphate. Calcium oxalate can be absorbed from your diet like certain fruits and vegetables, nuts and chocolate
Factors that can cause an increase in the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine are dietary factors, high doses of Vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and several metabolism disorders
Calcium phosphate is more common in metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis. Certain medications used to treat migraines or seizures, such as topiramate can also cause its formation
Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are formed in response to a urinary tract infection Bacteria make Ammonia that builds in your urine. These stones can grow quickly, into large sizes, sometimes with few symptoms or little warning These are composed of Magnesium, Ammonium and Phosphate.
Uric Acid Stones
Stones can be formed by Uric acid itself or with Calcium These form when your urine is often too acidic When too much fluid is lost because of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption, these stones develop. Those who eat a high protein diet, and those with
diabetes or metabolic syndrome also develop uric acid stones Your risk of uric acid stones may be increased by certain genetic factors.
Cystine Stones
These stones are made of cystine, a chemical made by your body naturally. They are very rare and found in people with a hereditary disorder called cystinuria, that causes cystine to leak from the kidney into urine.