Most people know that kidney stones are painful. What they might not know is that kidney stones have also become increasingly common over the last few decades. Therefore, it's important to understand kidney stones and their risk factors so you and your family can be prepared ahead of time.
Misconceptions
Most people think that excess consumption of dairy causes kidney stones. However, recent studies have shown that eating a diet rich in natural calcium sources, including dairy, may actually lower your risk of developing kidney stones. Taking calcium supplements, on the other hand, may increase your risk.
The Facts
Kidney stones form when the chemicals in urine crystallize, usually due to the urine becoming too concentrated. Kidney stones start out tiny and attached to the kidneys, where they are typically painless. However, once they detach from the kidney walls, they can become excruciatingly painful due to their sharp, jagged edges, and in some cases can block the flow of urine. Although calcium-oxalate stones are by far the most common type, there are also uric acid stones, struvite stones, cystine stones and drug-related stones. Most kidney stones will pass without medical treatment.
Risk Factors
Although the experts still aren't always sure as to why kidney stones form in some people, they do agree on some risk factors. One of the single biggest risk factors is if you've had a kidney stone previously. Also, a family history of kidney stones puts you at a higher risk. Chronic dehydration can lead to stone formation, as can obesity, being bedridden, and/or high blood pressure. Anything that leads to chronic changes in digestion, such as inflammatory bowel disease, can also put you at an increased risk for kidney stones, as can diets high in protein and sodium, and low in calcium. Men are at a higher risk for developing stones than women.
Identification
The most obvious symptom of kidney stones is pain. Kidney stones often are not identified until they detach from the kidney walls, at which time they can become very painful. Kidney stone pain typically starts in the side or back, but can shoot down to the groin. Often, the pain is strong enough to send people to the hospital, where the stones can often be detected by CT scan, abdominal ultrasound, or X-ray. Also, blood work will likely be performed to look for elevated levels of uric acid or calcium, and a special urinalysis will be performed to check for excessive quantities of crystals and minerals.
Significance
Kidney stones are very painful, and folks who pass one hope to never suffer through the experience again. However, most kidney stones do not cause long-term problems. In rare cases, health consequences can arise if a very large stone blocks the ureter or smaller stones block other areas of the kidneys, possibly leading to either recurrent urinary tract infections or kidney damage. Therefore, at the very least, kidney stones should be treated by drinking large amounts of water and by exercising. Shock wave therapy, ultrasound, and specialized surgical techniques may be required to break down or remove very large stones.
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