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Posts Tagged ‘Oxalate’

Brief Look at Kidney Stones

December 9th, 2009

Many currently have kidney shingle in their bodies. If you have agreed out a kidney limestone, you know how hurting it is. Modern day dieted choices and minus consumption of fluid have caused a mound in its formation.

Kidney gravel did not commonly produce symptoms in its early stage of development. This makes it hard to spot them. The kidney sand are detected when you nitpick about blood in urine. You fright to feel the sorrow when the deseed passes through your ureter. Concentrating urine is the initial grounds for their formation. When your urine gets concentrated, minerals and other salts form crystals. They get close to the middle lining of your kidney. These crystals grow over a stop to form calculus of assorted sizes. The kidney gravel are purged harmlessly. It is the better ones which source sting and infection.

There are four different classifications of kidney gravel. Majority of them are calcium sand. As the name suggests, they are a combinations of calcium and oxalate. They play in your urine due to some reasons. The excessive use of vitamin D for other ailments may findings in the ghost of large total of calcium. Struvite sand, mostly found in women, are created by bacteria the basis for urinary tract infections. These bacteria twisted an elite print of enzyme which multiplies the capacity for ammonia in urine. The other two types are uric acid pebbles and cystine pebbles.

You feel the sorrowful things of kidney gemstone when they are large. Large shingle chunked your ureter and the causes infection and difficulty in desertion urine. The most familiar symptom is intense drag. The agony is felt in your back or just under the ribs. When the mineral moves, the soreness shifts to your reduce abdomen and then to genital organs. Urine in your blood is an important indicator of kidney seed. Another important symptom is devoted urge to urinate.

A chief goal for the development of kidney gravel is the require of fluids. Adequate magnitude of liquid is needed to flush out the toxic garbage materials. Certain diseases can also encourage the attempt of rock formation. Medications, protein valuable diet without filament and family saga are the other causes.

There heaps of methods to mold whether you have kidney pebbles or not. This involves blood and urine analysis and numerous imaging tests. Treatment depends leading the font and bulk of the rock. The normal serious cure is the use of shock waves to halt down large gravel. Another chief reasoning is surgical ejection of sand through tunnel surgery. Kidney shingle was also impassive with the assistance of ureteroscope.

The best way to thwart kidney gravel is through actual methods. An important pure remedy is winning large quantity of fluid to encourage the urine output. You necessary to consume more than 3 liters of water a day. There are also the alternative conduct methods to flush out kidney sand via kidney refining.

It is forever a convinced-win idea to take preventive events before kidney gravel pose a major risk to the wellbeing of your body. Drastic measures like surgery can then be avoided. Flush out kidney stones before it is too overdue!

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A Look at What is Kidney Stone

December 5th, 2009

Many presently have kidney gravel in their bodies. If you have conceded out a kidney sandstone, you know how aching it is. Modern day dieted choices and minus consumption of fluid have caused a mutiny in its formation.

Kidney sanded do not typically affect symptoms in its early theater of development. This makes it hard to sense them. The kidney shingle are detected when you complain about blood in urine. You institute to feel the twinge when the gemstone passes through your ureter.

Concentrating urine is the core intention for their formation. When your urine gets concentrated, reserves and other salts form crystals. They get friendly to the personal lining of your kidney. These crystals upgrade over a spot to form calculus of different sizes. The kidney shingle are purged harmlessly. It is the better ones which affect agony and infection.

There are four different classifications of kidney pebbles. Majority of them are calcium sand. As the name suggests, they are a combinations of calcium and oxalate. They exist in your urine due to some reasons. The undue use of vitamin D for other ailments may effect in the company of large size of calcium. Struvite gravel, largely found in women, are shaped by bacteria the cause for urinary tract infections. These bacteria twisted a singular font of enzyme which multiplies the mass of ammonia in urine. The other two types are uric acid sand and cystine sand.

You feel the hurting property of kidney rock when they are large. Large pebbles hinder your ureter and the causes infection and difficulty in slapdash urine. The most normal symptom is intense ache. The soreness is felt in your back or just under the ribs. When the kernel moves, the drag shifts to your slash abdomen and then to genital organs. Urine in your blood is an important symbol of kidney granite. Another important symptom is steady urge to urinate.

A main grounds for the development of kidney shingle is the require of fluids. Adequate quantity of liquid is wanted to flush out the toxic squander resources. Certain diseases can also escalate the danger of boulder formation. Medications, protein ornate diet without roughage and family saga are the other causes.

There are quite of methods to verify whether you have kidney shingle or not. This involves blood and urine study and numerous imaging tests. Treatment depends winning the letters and volume of the stone. The familiar awful dealing is the use of shock waves to halt down large gravel. Another foremost procedure is surgical ejection of sand through tunnel surgery. Kidney shingle was also impassive with the assistance of ureteroscope.

The best way to foil kidney shingle is through genuine methods. An important artless remedy is pleasing large quantity of fluid to spread the urine harvest. You necessity to consume more than 3 liters of water a day. There are also the alternative remedy methods to flush out kidney shingle via kidney refining.

It is forever a reliable-win idea to take preventive dealings before kidney shingle pose a chief warning to the shape of your body. Drastic dealings like surgery can then be avoided. Flush out kidney stones before it is too overdue!

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Exploring Kidney Stones in Children – Know These Symptoms

November 27th, 2009

Kidney stones in child is actually fairly uncommon and there is normally another underlying medical problem which leads to the formation of these painful stones which can prove rather difficult in some cases to get rid of.

Information is the most valuable thing to remember if your child has kidney stones and learning the symptoms and how they can occur are the best ways to get early diagnosis and also the right treatment.

Kidney stones can have a number of symptoms or just one or two but the more likely ones for kidney stones in children are:

? Blood visible in urine
? Pain when urinating
? Pain in the lower groin and lower back area
? Pain in the sides of the torso (where the kidneys are  situated)
? Flu like symptoms

Once you have noticed these symptoms in your child it is important that you take them to a medical professional. Although these are very likely symptoms for kidney stones in children and also adults, they can be symptoms of other medical conditions as well so a full investigation by a doctor is necessary for treatment.

One of the main causes of kidney stones in children is said to be urinary tract infections which cause triple phosphate crystals within the urine. This means that if your child has recently has a urinary tract infection, you should keep  a close eye on them to make sure that kidney stones do not form for the time after this.

Another reason why kidney stones in children form is because of a condition which is called cystinuria. This is when there are cystine crystals in the body and this is also another cause for kidney stones in adults as well. These will form kidney stones that are known as cystine stones and will generally occur if there is too much of this compound in the body.

When there is an increased production of a certain compound in the body such as oxalate which is normally caused by a metabolic disorder, kidney stones are likely to form from the excess of the compound itself.

With oxalate as just one example, oxalosis is the term for too much of this within the body and can cause oxalate kidney stones which is one of the most common forms for kidney stones within the older generations. Overproduction of a compound such as this leads to a buildup in the kidneys and rather than it being concentrated in the urine and removed from the body when a person goes to the toilet, kidney stones are formed.

Conditions such as kidney stones in children can only be properly diagnosed by a medical professional, despite the amount of symptoms you have managed to look up and associate with the problem. If your child experiences any of the symptoms or has recently had a UTI or urinary tract infection, it is best to keep a very close eye on them and to take them to the doctor just to make sure.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and kidney stone removal. Discover how you can get rid of your kidney stones for good using proven home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.nomorekidneystone.com

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and weight loss.


He had published many health articles online, is a platinum expert author in EzineArticles and writes for Health Central, which is a leading health authority website.


Some of his sites includes:

High Blood Pressure Treatment & Medications Reviews

Gout Relief Made Easy – Gout Natural Cure

Fat Loss Diet – Effective Weight Loss Diet Tips

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Kidney Stones Home Remedies – Simple But Effective Cures

November 26th, 2009

Having kidney stones is bad enough. What?s worse is when you don?t have the money for an expensive treatment. Nevertheless, early detection of kidney stones will allow early treatment by applying simple, yet inexpensive kidney stone home remedies.

These kidney stone home remedies are so easy to do because the ingredients and materials are most likely in your house. Besides, most of the remedies listed below will only need your determination and self- discipline to be effective. As you know, kidney stones have a possibility of coming back, and these simple but effective kidney stone home remedies can help in preventing the formation of kidney stones.

Home Remedies For Treating Kidney Stones

? Increase your intake of bran and oats ? bran and oats naturally contain a lot of fiber. Fiber helps get rid of excess calcium and other oxalates or the organic acids that come from the food we eat.  Oxalates are useful as in the case of vitamin C. However, oxalates and other excessive mineral substances have the tendency to merge into spiky crystals.

High fiber foods like bran and oats then can help reduce oxalate levels by binding with these excesses and carries them out of the body.

? Eat whole wheat bread as a source of magnesium ? whole wheat breads are very practical. Eating whole wheat bread is a fun way of preventing or treating your kidney stones since you will also enjoy its taste. Whole wheat breads can help in the reduction of kidney stones because it?s a good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps prevent kidney stones from coming back.

? Reduce intake of salt ? since salt can form crystals while inside the kidney it is best to avoid it. It is advised that your intake should not exceed more than 2 grams a day.

? Nettle leaf tea ? Nettle leaf tea contains substances that can act as natural diuretics. It means that the tea from the nettle plant can help in aiding the increased urine output of an individual. Constant urination can help prevent the stones from forming in the kidney as it flushes away any bacteria that might be present in the urinary tract.

? Consume More Carrots ? carrots contain a lot of vitamin A and vitamin A is good for the kidney. A healthy kidney can work longer and be much more efficient than an abused one.

? Chicken ? whoever said that chicken soup can cure any thing including kidney stones is a genius. Studies show that chicken meat contains B6, which is very well known in preventing kidney stones.

? Milk ? milk contains calcium and calcium can be a candidate for kidney stone formation. Although contradicting, studies show that if the human body receives less calcium, it works overtime and produces more oxalate. Therefore, to ensure the body meets its calcium needs, it is best to take milk but only its recommended daily allowance.

These are only some of the remedies that you can easily follow. Just remember that prevention is still better than costly medications. Instead of spending so much money on expensive treatments, it is better to avoid having kidney stone problems by observing these kidney stone home remedies.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and kidney stone removal. Discover how you can get rid of your kidney stones for good using proven home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.nomorekidneystone.com

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and weight loss.


He had published many health articles online, is a platinum expert author in EzineArticles and writes for Health Central, which is a leading health authority website.


Some of his sites includes:

High Blood Pressure Treatment & Medications Reviews

Gout Relief Made Easy – Gout Natural Cure

Fat Loss Diet – Effective Weight Loss Diet Tips

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What Causes Kidney Stones, How Do You Get Kidney Stones

November 12th, 2009

Kidney stones form when urine and other types of minerals and acids in the body are out of balance. When this occurs, the urine carries more substances that are prone to form into crystals. These substances include uric acid and calcium. There are so much of these substances that they are not able to be diluted in fluid. Generally during this time, the urine is lacking substances that keep substances from creating crystals. Kidney stones are known to develop in urine that is extremely acidic or extremely alkaline.

By figuring out the problem of why we get them we can sometimes better protect ourselves and other people we know. Many people get kidney stones every year and it can be very painful and a big problem in their lives. If we can acquire some kind of knowledge about the causes of kidney stones, we may be able to help ourselves and others better. This is a preventive measure to keep them from becoming more of a problem.

Causes were also found when there is a decrease in urine volume or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination to either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can cause stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cystine.

Kidney stones bring about hasty, extreme pain. This is typically concerted on one side of the back but, in addition, could run into the stomach or down to the groin where it is able to effect in piercing pains. The similar type of pain can also be produced by haemorrhage or infection in the urinary system. These assaults can be very painful they produce extreme suffering to the sufferer. The pain is frequently complemented by nausea and vomiting.

Kidney stones can be a very painful medical condition. Perhaps you are a sufferer or someone in your family? There are several things which it is important to know if you want to prevent this condition.

The primary reason for the presence of kidney stones is concentrated urine. When your urine gets concentrated, minerals and other salts form crystals. They get attached to the inner lining of your kidney. These crystals develop over time to form calculus of different sizes. Most kidney stones are passed out harmlessly. It is those large kidney stones which cause pain and infection.

Kidney stones are mostly composed of calcium. However, a smaller number consist of uric acid or something called struvite. Kidney stones form due to an imbalance of water, calcium oxylate, uric acid, and phosphate that are usually present in the urine. Stones are also known to form when the pH of the urine is not normal or when normal mechanisms that protect the kidney’s are inundated.

The cause of kidney stones is something that many people do not stop to consider. Instead they focus on the passing of the stone and getting relief from the condition. However, understanding the cause of the condition can help one take preventive measures so that kidney stones do not become a problem.

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Kidney Stone Causes – Genetic Traits Can Cause Kidney Stones

November 11th, 2009

Kidney Stone Formation

Our kidneys function as filters in our body. It has nephrons or fine tube-like filters which excretes the waste from the blood and produces the urine. These nephrons then act as filters of the blood and the wastes collected by pass through the ureter and into the bladder where it becomes urine. In turn, the kidneys expel the urine out of the system. The kidney stones causes are therefore those that detract the kidney from performing these functions.

Kidney stones may normally form in the kidneys unnoticed. In fact, they can remain unnoticed if the size of the kidney stone is very small; usually the size can be smaller than a grain of sand. If the kidney expels this size from its system, it will be barely noticeable at all and will not cause any problems or complications.Still, it is best for us to know the kidney stone causes.

However, if the kidney stone is stuck in the ureter, this will now have a snowball effect. The kidney stones are in crystal form and can get into contact with calcium and salt sediments that can cause it to enlarge. This will damage the ureter and lead to a high probability of infection.

Kidney Stone Causes

Several circumstances may cause kidney stones but there are still no proven explanations as to why they form. The following are only probable causes:

Hereditary reasons ? Genetic traits passed on from generation to generation, can cause kidney stone problems. Some are born with high susceptibility to kidney stone formation because they have different ways of absorbing minerals in their body. Others have poor calcium absorption while some have poor metabolism and have difficulty managing certain chemicals.

Examples of these chemicals are cystine (a type of amino acid), oxalate (a form of salt), and uric acid. These substances can stick together and crystallize. If they form crystals, then there is a higher possibility of having kidney stone problems.

Climate ? If a person is lives in a place where there is a very dry climate, he tends to dehydrate easily. Once a person is dehydrated, body will excrete less liquid and thus the urine may come in a more concentrated form.  If the urine is concentrated, the minerals and chemicals come in closer contact with each other and may have the opportunity to crystallize and cause damage.

Diet ? A person?s diet has to change if he is already suffering from kidney stone problems.  For example, if you are already suffering from kidney stones caused by uric acid and calcium stones, then, it is best to avoid foods rich in calcium and uric acid.

Over the Counter medication ? Medications like antacids and diuretic pills may form kidney stones. These medications can contain a lot of calcium and may cause calcium-based kidney stones.

Having only one kidney or an abnormally shaped kidney ? People who had their kidney removed or donated can have a very high chance of getting kidney stone problems because their kidney will have to take on the function of the missing one and will need to work double time. An abnormally shaped kidney may also mean that the other kidney will have to work double time.

Some of the kidney stones causes may promote the occurrence of crystallines in the renal system. Minimizing the risk of forming a stone that will be block the ureter is possible by avoiding dehydration. Keeping one?s urine dilute will not allow the formation of a stone nucleus.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and kidney stone removal. Discover how you can get rid of your kidney stones for good using proven home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.nomorekidneystone.com

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and weight loss.


He had published many health articles online, is a platinum expert author in EzineArticles and writes for Health Central, which is a leading health authority website.


Some of his sites includes:

High Blood Pressure Treatment & Medications Reviews

Gout Relief Made Easy – Gout Natural Cure

Fat Loss Diet – Effective Weight Loss Diet Tips

Crystal News , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Understanding Each Kidney Stone Composition to Appreciate Its Treatment

November 6th, 2009

It?s interesting to note that kidney stones compositions vary, each leading to a specific distinction on how each main composition amass to form into a kidney stone. Basically, all kidney stones start with a nucleus of crystal substances. This nucleus if dissolved in a soluble form of urine can easily be excreted or washed out of the kidney. If not, that is where the problem begins.

The crystalline nucleus will combine with other insoluble or oxalates coming from the dietary intake of a person. The more oxalate produced or strained by the kidney from the bloodstream the more the nucleus will likely snowball into a bigger form, which will now be called a kidney stone. The kidney stone composition will depend on the type of oxalate concentration it contains, namely calcium, uric acid, amino acid, and magnesium 

Types of Kidney Stones and their Composition

Calcium Kidney Stones

It is estimated that about 75 to 85% of all kidney stones are calcium stones. The concentration of calcium oxalates in the body is found in the urine, which will meet minute crystalline substances that attach themselves on the side of the kidney tubule. As the calcium oxalates float in the urine, they will combine with the crystals until they eventually form into a kidney stone.

Calcium ingested as a dietary substance may decrease the risks of calcium stones, because the oxalates can be dissolved or discharged by the intestine. It will no longer be carried by the bloodstream to the kidney to meet with crystal nucleus, thus, preventing the occurrence of calcium kidney stones. Intakes of caffeine have been proven to increase the risk of urinary calcium. Caffeine drinkers should therefore increase water intakes.

Uric Acid Kidney Stones

Quite surprisingly it is said that uric acid kidney stones are uncommon, representing only 5 to 8% of all kidney stones. It stems from high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, which will meet with other insoluble acids in the urine, thus forming into uric acid kidney stones. What makes the kidney stones distinct is that the stones will find a way to lodge themselves in between the joints of the individual causing the disorder called gout. Hence, the association of kidney stones with gout pains.

The increase in levels of uric acid is attributed to excessive purine intake, which produces uric acid. Hence, persons with high uric levels are required to reduce meat intakes and increase alkaline rich fruits and vegetable consumption.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones account for only less than one percent of all kidney stones because it stems from the body?s genetic disability to transport amino acid. The insoluble amino acids will combine with the crystal nucleus and form into cystine kidney stones and develop into a disease called cystinuria.

Taking in plenty of water to keep the urine soluble to prevent the amino acid oxalates from combining with the crystals is the best prevention. Special diets of food containing amino acids should be observed since it is not recommended to eliminate amino acid totally from the system. Amino acid plays an important role in tissue growth to keep our hair and skin healthy.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones are commonly found in animals, particularly dogs. The formation of the stones usually originates from a urinary tract infection, which creates an imbalance of acid in the animal?s urine. The main composition of struvite stones are magnesium and ammonium phospate. Treatment may include a special dog food diet and increased water intake. 

Knowing all these kidney stone compositions can provide us with a better understanding on the type of diet we should choose, to prevent kidney stones from forming in our body.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and kidney stone removal. Discover how you can get rid of your kidney stones for good using proven home remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.nomorekidneystone.com

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and weight loss.

He had published many health articles online, is a platinum expert author in EzineArticles and writes for Health Central, which is a leading health authority website.

Some of his sites includes:

High Blood Pressure Treatment

Gout Relief

Fat Loss Diet

Crystal News , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Avoid Kidney Stones Calcium Oxalate

November 3rd, 2009

Various types of crystals are found in the kidney stones. These crystals are calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, a mixture of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate. Therefore, we can categorize these kidney stones as kidney stones calcium oxalate also.

In some cases, we can find that the scarcity of the Vitamin B6 account for higher formation and exertion of kidney stones and calcium oxalate. Also dehydration which is due to lack of water in the body, large amount of intake of Vitamin C, supplement of foods containing calcium and antacids having calcium are the main causes of the formation of the kidney stone calcium oxalate.

When there is too much exertion of uric acid that is also called as hyperuricosuria by any person cause formation of calcium stones in the urinary system of such person. If the quantity of urine is less than pH 5.5, that tend to formation of uric acid crystals and then calcium crystals start layering around these crystals to shape a calcium oxalate stone.

In the human body when pH is less than 6.0, then that cause the formation of acid in the urine by the crystal like Calcium oxalate of kidney stone. In the formation of calcium stone, Citrate is a large element. It shapes a soluble salt with calcium and slows down the shaping of crystals like calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate.

Oxalate forms an insoluble complex with calcium to develop calcium oxalate stone. High levels of oxalate in the urine, or hyperoxaluria, is even more important to stone formation than excess amounts calcium that can be termed as hypercalciuria. Calcium oxalate stones are generally caused by excess consumption of food stuff that contain high amounts of calcium. In addition, excessive intake of Vitamin C that is metabolized to oxalate may lead to hyperoxaluria and an increase in stone formation.

A condition known as enteric hyperoxaluria that is often observed in bowel resections,inflammatory bowel diseases and small bowel bypass procedures. With these conditions, there is an increase in bile salt and fatty acids that combine with calcium leading to increased oxalate available for absorption. With increased intestinal absorption of oxalate, there is an increase in urinary oxalate leading to formation of calcium oxalate stones. These patients have low urinary magnesium and citrate due to chronic metabolic acidosis caused by chronic diarrhea. These factors are mainly responsible for calcium oxalate kidney stones.

The kidney stone like calcium oxalate cause the diseases of the bowel, like Crohns disease can cause more absorbtion of oxalate from the bowel and make calcium oxalate stones more likely. A rare inherited tendency to produce more oxalate (hyperoxaluria), can result in kidney stones and kidney disease in childhood and early adulthood.

If you are suffering from kidney stones caused by calcium oxalate, then limiting oxalate content in foods will help you reduce the chances of reoccurence of oxalate stones. You should stay away from excess amounts of draft beer, sweet potatoes,tofu, oranges, leafy vegetables, grapes, chocolates, berries, beets, beans, and rhubarb. You will also have to follow a strict diet regime that has been designed by your physician or dietician in order to avoid calcium oxalate kidney stones.

Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Kidney Stones for Years. For More Information on kidney stones calcium oxalate, Visit His Site at KIDNEY STONES CALCIUM OXALATEI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On kidney stones calcium oxalate At My Blog here

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Understanding The Symptoms Of Kidney Stones

October 24th, 2009

Kidney Stone disease is a disorder involving hardened accumulations of mineral crystals that are deposited in the kidneys and ureters. The stones are usually small, but can vary in size from a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball. Kidney stones are quite common, affecting over 5% of Americans and more often in men than women. Recurrence of the disease is widespread and reaches as high as 50%, especially during the summer months. There are five major categories of kidney stones but calcium stones appear to be the most prevalent.

Clinical symptoms of kidney stones range from no pain if the stone is not moving to agonizing pain that has been compared to childbirth. The first sign of a kidney stone is often bloody urine or intense shooting pain in the flank region or the lower abdomen. As the stone moves down the ureter (the tiny tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder), the pain may progress to sharp cramping or become unbearable renal colic. An urge to urinate or burning on urination occurs as the tiny muscles of the ureter attempt to move the kidney stone along. Associated nausea and vomiting or a state of mild shock may be present. Steady, severe pain may be a sign that the stone has lodged. If this is accompanied by fever or chills, it may be an indication of infection and medical attention should be sought immediately.

The cause of kidney stone formation is not always obvious and usually involves a number of factors. Dehydration and a warm climate, as well as a diet high in proteins or oxalate can lead to concentrated urine and the beginning of a kidney stone. Kidney stones are also known to run in families and may be linked to a sedentary lifestyle or immobility. Active stone formers may also be suffering from an abnormality that prevents them from metabolizing calcium and oxalates.

The diagnosis of kidney stones is usually made on the basis of the location and severity of the pain, then confirmed by an x-ray or CT scan. Ultrasounds are also useful and a urinalysis or urine culture may be done to evaluate mineral levels. Blood may be drawn and a white cell count done to ensure that there is no infection present. If any stones are passed in the urine, it is important to collect them for the physician to evaluate and determine their causes.

Treatment of kidney stones is relatively uncomplicated as most stones will pass spontaneously on their own. The focus is preventing infection and minimizing the pain associated with passing the stone. Surgery may be necessary if the kidney stone is larger than 5mm, if it is blocking the flow of urine or causing an infection or if it will not pass on its own and is causing constant pain. A procedure that involves shattering the stone with shock waves is the most common intervention. For large stones, the surgeon may make a small incision in the back and remove the stone directly with a nephroscope. Open surgical procedures to remove kidney stones are reserved as a last resort because of the risk of hemorrhage.

For those who suffer from recurring kidney stones, the key focus should be prevention. Prevention of kidney stones is the best cure and may involve dietary or lifestyle changes. An adequate fluid intake of at least 6-8 glasses of water daily is imperative to wash out minerals and prevent kidney stones from forming. Other preventative strategies include adopting a diet low in protein and sodium, as well as avoiding oxalate-rich foods. It is also important to maintain a diet adequate in dairy foods and calcium. Contrary to what was once thought, recent research has proven that a diet high in calcium may actually help prevent kidney stone formation. Last, thiazide diuretics may be prescribed to increase urine formation and flush the body of any accumulating mineral salts.

Although they can still be painful, kidney stones are no longer the dreaded disease they once were. Most patients have very good prognoses and excellent outcomes. The advance of technology and the focus on prevention has greatly reduced the cost and pain of having kidney stones.

Disclaimer: This information presented should not be interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Talk to your doctor for more information about kidney stones.

Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Find more kidney stones resources at kidney-stones-hub.info.

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