Kidney stones are hard deposits or collections made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidney and can travel to other parts of the urinary tract. It can affect any part of the urinary tract; from the kidney to the bladder.
A kidney stone forms when too much of certain minerals in the body accumulate in your urine. When you aren’t well hydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated with higher levels of certain minerals. When mineral levels are higher, it’s more likely that a kidney stone will form.
The Stones vary in sizes. Some are very small while others can become so large they take up the entire kidney.
Kidney stones are more common in men; people who are obese, and those who have diabetes. They may cause intense pain if they break loose and push into the ureters, the narrow ducts leading to the bladder.
Kidney with kidney Stones
Symptoms of kidney stones
Below are some of the factors that show you might have kidney stones
- Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs
2. Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin
3. Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
4. Pain on urination
5. Pink, red or brown urine
6· Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
7. Nausea and vomiting
8. Persistent need to urinate
9. Urinating more often than usual
10. Fever and chills if an infection is present
11. Urinating small amounts
12. Presence of blood in urine
Causes of Kidney stones
Kidney stones often have no definite cause but it can be formed when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid than the fluid in your urine can dilute. At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form.
Management and Treatment of Kidney Stones
The treatment depends on the type of stone and the cause. So, while you try to work on your lifestyle and what you eat, you will need to contact your Doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Follow us on Facebook – Dailyfamily.ng, Twitter – @DailyfamilyNG, Whatsapp +2348188889427, BBM PIN D86722A7 and Instagram @dailyfamilyng for more updates.
