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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

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The kidney acts as a filter for blood, removing waste products from the body and helping regulate the levels of chemicals important for body function. The urine drains from the kidney into the bladder through a narrow tube called the ureter. When the bladder fills and there is an urge to urinate, the bladder empties through the urethra, a much wider tube than the urethra.

Kidney stones can form when the urine contains too much of certain substances. These substances can create small crystals that become stones. Kidney stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move down the ureter, causing pain. The pain is usually severe and often starts in the flank region, then moves down to the groin.

Kidney stones are small, solid masses that form when salts or minerals normally found in urine become solid crystals (crystallise) inside the kidney. In most cases, the crystals are too tiny to be noticed, and pass harmlessly out of your body. However, they can build up inside your kidney and form much larger stones.

The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is not an uncommon disorder. The stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as uric acid, phosphorus, calcium, and oxalic acid. They may vary in consistency from grit, sand, and gravel-like obstructions the size of a bird’s egg.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Symptoms of kidney stones (aka, renal calculi) vary from person to person, but most people experience severe pain. Kidney stone pain is characterized by its severity. The excruciating pain is usually centralized in the back or sides and sometimes moves as the stone moves. During an attack, many sufferers experience nausea and vomiting. They may discover blood in their urine. About eighty percent of stones are small enough to be passed without symptoms and there are some people that have kidney stones but never experience pain.

Kidney stones form 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 with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cystine.

Most kidney stones pass out of the body without any intervention by a physician. Stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications may be treated by various techniques, most of which do not involve major surgery. Also, research advances have led to a better understanding of the many factors that promote stone formation and thus better treatments for preventing stones.

The size of the stone does not dictate the size of the pain. A small jagged stone can produce more distressing symptoms than a larger smooth stone. A great deal of the pain experienced while passing a stone is not the result of the stone ripping through the urinary tract (although it certainly can feel that way). Much pain is due to muscle contractions as the ureter attempts to force the stone into the bladder. If the sufferer experiences a fever along with these other symptoms, he or she may have an infection.

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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.

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