The Causes and Prevention of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a fairly common health issue with varied approaches to treatment and ways to help prevent them. Some people never get them, and others get them often. Keep reading to understand more about them, how to avoid them and how they may be treated.
What causes kidney stones?
There are several types of stones. Each has a different cause and may not require the same treatment; however, the majority of cases are due to calcium stones, usually caused by diet or certain medications or high levels of vitamin D. Struvite stones are caused by untreated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and can develop quickly, often not showing symptoms right away. Uric acid stones occur in people with diabetes or chronic diarrhea or those genetically predisposed. Cystine stones happen in those with cystinuria, a condition characterized by a build-up of that specific amino acid.
What symptoms should you look out for?
You will likely begin to notice symptoms when a stone begins to make its way to the bladder. The most common symptom is a sharp pain in the lower back and pain during urination. Other symptoms are cloudy or discolored urine, and nausea, vomiting, and fever, especially in the case of an infection.
How can you prevent them?
One of the best ways to prevent the development of stones is to stay hydrated. This helps to flush out your system, making it more difficult for stones to form. You can also avoid certain foods that have been known to cause stones, including most nuts, eggs, beef, dairy products and more.
Can they be treated?
Some stones are treated, but most are allowed to pass on their own. The patient will be told to drink lots of fluids and use over-the-counter pain relievers. Most stones will pass on their own without any long-term issues.
If an infection is suspected, a blood or urine test may be performed. Medication can then be prescribed to clear any infections that may have developed. Alpha-blockers can be prescribed to help relax the muscles in the ureter, helping the kidney stone pass more quickly and with less pain.
Depending on the patient and the circumstances, imaging may be done to get a clear look at the kidney stone(s) and understand their location, size, and number. Based on the stones’ size and location, your doctor may recommend a procedure to break up the stones into smaller pieces easier to pass. In rare cases, you may need a surgical procedure to remove the stones.
If you get kidney stones often, you may be referred to a nephrologist to determine if you have an anatomical or biochemical condition that causes you to get kidney stones and recommend treatment.
Prevention of Kidney Stones: Contact Us Today
If you are suffering from pain you think is associated with kidney stones, Richmond Nephrology Associates can help. If you have chronic issues with kidney stones, call us today.
