What are kidney stones and how do they form. What causes kidney stones and who is at risk. What are the symptoms of kidney stones and how are they diagnosed. How are kidney stones treated and can they be prevented.

Understanding Kidney Stones: Formation and Types

Kidney stones are solid, pebble-like masses that form in the kidneys when there’s an imbalance in the levels of certain substances in urine. These stones can vary in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.

There are four main types of kidney stones:

• Calcium stones (most common)
• Uric acid stones
• Struvite stones
• Cystine stones

The formation of kidney stones occurs when there’s an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine or a lack of substances that prevent crystal formation. This process is called crystallization.

How do kidney stones form?

Kidney stones form when urine becomes too concentrated, allowing minerals and other substances to crystallize and stick together. Over time, these crystals can grow larger, forming stones that may cause pain and other complications if they become stuck in the urinary tract.

Risk Factors and Causes of Kidney Stones

While anyone can develop kidney stones, certain factors increase the risk:

• Dehydration
• Diet high in sodium, protein, and sugar
• Obesity
• Family history of kidney stones
• Certain medical conditions (e.g., gout, inflammatory bowel disease)
• Some medications

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take preventive measures to reduce their likelihood of developing kidney stones.

Are certain populations more prone to kidney stones?

Yes, some populations have a higher risk of developing kidney stones:

• Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women
• Non-Hispanic white individuals have a higher incidence compared to other ethnicities
• People with a family history of kidney stones
• Those living in hot, dry climates or with jobs that cause excessive sweating

Recognizing Kidney Stone Symptoms

The symptoms of kidney stones can vary depending on the size and location of the stone. Some common signs include:

• Severe pain in the side, back, lower abdomen, or groin
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• Painful urination
• Pink, red, or brown urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Persistent need to urinate
• Urinating more often than usual
• Fever and chills (if an infection is present)

When should you seek medical attention for kidney stone symptoms?

It’s crucial to seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• Severe pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relievers
• Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• Pain with fever and chills
• Blood in your urine
• Difficulty passing urine

Diagnosing Kidney Stones: Tests and Procedures

To diagnose kidney stones, healthcare providers may use a combination of methods:

1. Medical history and physical examination
2. Urine tests to check for blood, infections, and stone-forming minerals
3. Blood tests to assess kidney function and detect high levels of certain minerals
4. Imaging tests such as:
   • CT scan
   • X-ray
   • Ultrasound

What is the most accurate method for diagnosing kidney stones?

A CT scan is generally considered the most accurate method for diagnosing kidney stones. It can detect the size, location, and number of stones present, as well as any potential blockages in the urinary tract.

Treatment Options for Kidney Stones

The treatment approach for kidney stones depends on the size, location, and composition of the stone. Options include:

1. Watchful waiting for small stones that may pass on their own
2. Pain management with over-the-counter or prescription medications
3. Increased fluid intake to help flush out small stones
4. Medical expulsive therapy using alpha-blockers to relax the ureter
5. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to break up larger stones
6. Ureteroscopy to remove or break up stones in the ureter or kidney
7. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for very large or complex stones

How effective is shock wave lithotripsy for treating kidney stones?

Shock wave lithotripsy is generally effective for stones smaller than 2 cm in diameter. Success rates vary but can be as high as 50-90% depending on the stone’s size, location, and composition. However, multiple treatments may be necessary for larger stones or those resistant to fragmentation.

Preventing Kidney Stones: Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

Preventing kidney stones often involves making lifestyle and dietary modifications:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Limit sodium intake
• Reduce consumption of animal protein
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Avoid excessive vitamin C supplementation
• Limit oxalate-rich foods if prone to calcium oxalate stones
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid crash diets and excessive protein intake

Can certain foods help prevent kidney stones?

Yes, some foods may help prevent kidney stones:

• Citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges) contain citrate, which may help prevent stone formation
• Calcium-rich foods (when consumed with meals) can reduce the risk of calcium oxalate stones
• Foods high in magnesium (spinach, almonds, avocados) may help prevent stone formation
• Foods rich in potassium (bananas, potatoes, tomatoes) can help balance mineral levels in urine

Complications and Long-term Effects of Kidney Stones

While many kidney stones pass without causing lasting damage, some can lead to complications:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Urinary tract infections
• Ureter blockage
• Kidney damage or failure (in severe cases)

Regular follow-up with healthcare providers is essential for individuals with a history of kidney stones to monitor for recurrence and prevent complications.

Do kidney stones increase the risk of other health problems?

Research suggests that individuals with a history of kidney stones may have an increased risk of:

• Hypertension
• Chronic kidney disease
• Osteoporosis
• Cardiovascular disease

However, more studies are needed to fully understand these associations and their implications for long-term health.

Kidney Stones in Special Populations

Kidney stones can affect people of all ages, including children and pregnant women. Special considerations for these populations include:

Kidney Stones in Children

While less common than in adults, kidney stones in children are becoming more frequent. Risk factors specific to children include:

• Genetic disorders affecting metabolism
• Urinary tract abnormalities
• Certain medications
• Poor hydration habits

Treatment approaches for children are similar to those for adults but may require more careful consideration of radiation exposure from imaging studies.

Kidney Stones During Pregnancy

Pregnant women may be at increased risk of kidney stones due to hormonal changes and increased calcium excretion. Management of kidney stones during pregnancy requires special care to ensure the safety of both mother and fetus. Treatment options may be limited, with a focus on conservative management when possible.

How does the management of kidney stones differ in these special populations?

For children and pregnant women, treatment approaches prioritize conservative methods and minimize potential risks:

• Increased emphasis on hydration and dietary modifications
• Careful selection of pain management options
• Limited use of imaging techniques that involve radiation
• Preference for ultrasound-guided interventions when necessary
• Close monitoring and follow-up to prevent complications

Healthcare providers must tailor their approach to each individual’s unique circumstances, considering factors such as age, overall health, and specific risks associated with different treatment options.

Advances in Kidney Stone Research and Treatment

The field of kidney stone management is continuously evolving, with new research and technological advancements improving our understanding and treatment of this condition. Some recent developments include:

• Improved imaging techniques for more accurate detection and characterization of stones
• Development of new medications to prevent stone formation and facilitate stone passage
• Refinement of minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Exploration of gut microbiome’s role in kidney stone formation
• Investigation of genetic factors contributing to stone development

What promising new treatments are on the horizon for kidney stones?

Several innovative approaches are being researched:

• Targeted probiotic therapies to modify gut bacteria and reduce stone risk
• Gene therapy to address hereditary causes of recurrent stones
• Nanotechnology-based treatments for stone dissolution
• Personalized medicine approaches using genetic and metabolic profiling
• Advanced imaging techniques for real-time stone monitoring during treatment

These emerging technologies and treatment strategies hold promise for improving outcomes and reducing the burden of kidney stones in the future.

Understanding kidney stones, from their formation to treatment and prevention, is crucial for managing this common yet potentially serious condition. By recognizing risk factors, symptoms, and available treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent stone formation and seek timely medical care when needed. As research continues to advance our knowledge of kidney stones, new and improved strategies for prevention and treatment offer hope for those affected by this condition.

Kidney stones – Symptoms, causes, types, and treatment

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Table of Contents

• How common are kidney stones?

• What is a kidney stone?

• Symptoms

• Causes

• Types

• Diagnosis

• Treatment

• I think I have a stone. What do I do?

• Why do doctors examine the contents of the stone?

• Consequences

• Prevention

• Can children get kidney stones?

How common are kidney stones?

What is a kidney stone?

Symptoms

Kidney Stones

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Last Reviewed: 05/27/2022

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Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms and treatment options

Learn what causes kidney stones and find out about their causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

What are kidney stones?

Usually, your kidneys remove waste from your blood to make urine (pee). When there is too much waste in your blood and your body is not producing enough urine, crystals begin to form in your kidneys. These crystals attract other wastes and chemicals to form a solid object (a kidney stone) that will get larger unless it is passed out of your body in your urine.  

Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.

What are the causes and risk factors of kidney stones?

Anyone can get a kidney stone, but some people are more likely than others to get them. Men get kidney stones more often than women. Kidney stones are also more common in non-Hispanic white people than in people of other ethnicities. You may also be more likely to get a kidney stone if you: 

• Have had kidney stones before 
• Have someone in your family with kidney stones
• Do not drink enough water 
• Eat a lot of protein, sodium (salt), or sugar
• Are overweight
• Have had a surgery on your intestines
• Have polycystic kidney disease
• Have a health problem that causes your urine (pee) to contain high levels of cystine, oxalate, uric acid or calcium
• Have a health problem that causes swelling or damage in your digestive system or your joints 

• Take certain medicines, such as diuretics (water pills) or calcium-based antacids

What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

If you have a small kidney stone, it may travel out of your body through your urine (called passing a kidney stone). You may not have any symptoms and may never know that you had a kidney stone. 

If you have a larger kidney stone, it may get stuck in your urinary tract and block urine from getting through. You may notice symptoms, including:

• Pain while urinating (peeing)
• Blood in your urine (pee)
• Sharp pain in your back or lower belly area 
• Stomachache that does not go away
• Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up
• A fever and chills

• Urine (pee) that smells bad or looks cloudy

You may feel a lot of pain when you pass a kidney stone or if a large kidney stone blocks the flow of your urine.

If you are having any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

What are the treatments for kidney stones?

The treatment for a kidney stone depends on: 

• The size of the stone
• The type of stone 
• If the stone is causing you pain

• If the stone is blocking your urinary tract

If your kidney stone is small, your doctor may have you take pain medicine and drink fluids to help push the stone through your urinary tract and out through your urine (pee).  

If your kidney stone is large or if it is blocking your urinary tract, a different treatment may be needed. Treatment options include:

Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy treatment uses shock waves to break up the kidney stone into small pieces. After the treatment, the small pieces of the kidney stone will pass through your urinary tract and out through your urine. This treatment usually takes about one hour and may be done under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep and unable to feel the procedure.

Ureteroscopy

During a ureteroscopy, a doctor inserts a long tube-like tool into your ureter to take out the stone (if it is small) or break the stone into small pieces (using a laser if it is large) to pass through your urinary tract and out through your urine. 

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery is needed to remove a kidney stone. During the surgery, a doctor will insert a tube into your kidney to remove the stone. You will need to be in the hospital for two to three days to recover from this treatment

How can I prevent kidney stones?

Here are a few steps you can take to prevent kidney stones: 

• Drink enough fluids every day. Eight to twelve cups of fluid per day is enough for most people. If you have kidney disease and need to limit fluids, ask your doctor how much fluid you should have each day. 
• Limit your sodium (salt) and animal protein such as meat and eggs. If your doctor can find out what your kidney stone is made of, they may give you a specific eating plan to help prevent future kidney stones.

• Take all of your prescription medicines as your doctor tells you to treat health problems that may make kidney stones more likely for you. 

Never start or stop any new medicines or an eating plan without talking to your doctor.

How will I know if I have a kidney stone?

To find out the size and type of kidney stone you have, your doctor may do tests, including:

• Blood tests to show if there is too much calcium or uric acid in your blood 
• Urine (pee) tests to show the type of wastes that are in your urine. For this test, your doctor may ask you to collect your urine over two days.

• Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan or X-ray, to show kidney stones in your urinary tract

If you get kidney stones often, your doctor may ask you to urinate through a strainer to catch stones that you pass. Your doctor will then find out what they are made of to decide what is causing your kidney stones and how to prevent them. 

What are the types of kidney stones?

There are four types of kidney stones:

Calcium stones

Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stones. They form when calcium mixes with oxalate (a natural chemical found in most food) in your urine. These form when you are not getting enough fluids or calcium. 

Uric stones

Uric stones are also a common type of kidney stone. High levels of a natural chemical called purine (in some meats and shellfish) in your body can cause a high level of a chemical called urate that can create these kidney stones. This type of kidney stone tends to run in families.  

Struvite stones

Struvite stones are less common than calcium and uric stones. Struvite stones can happen when bacteria from upper urinary tract infections (UTIs) get into your urinary tract. 

Cystine stones 

Cystine stones are caused by a rare condition called cystinuria that is passed down in families. Cystinuria causes a natural chemical called cystine to leak into your urine. When there is too much cystine in your urine, kidney stones can form. These stones can get stuck in your kidneys, bladder or anywhere in your urinary tract. Most people with cystinuria will get many stones in their life. It is a lifelong condition that can be treated but not cured.

90,000 The Rolling Stones’ Brian Jones is hailed as a genius, but hard to find | But what did he write? | Tapes and vinyl/We are cultured here Brian Jones died tragically early in 1969. People who knew him closely later claimed that the music he created was innovative and close to genius. That’s just nothing left of her: there are no songs where he would be the author or perform as a vocalist. Or is there? We figure out how you can get acquainted with the work of the legendary guitarist.

1. Rolling Stones – Rice Crispies

In 1963, the up-and-coming Stones recorded a song for a television commercial for puffed rice. Its co-author is Brian Jones.

2. The Rolling Stones – Hear It

This is a rare instrumental recorded in 1964 and released much later. He has a unique authorship: Brian Jones and Keith Richards, there is no other composition like this.

3. The Andrew Oldham Orchestra — 365 Rolling Stones (One For Every Day Of The Year)

The band’s producer recorded this instrumental in 1964, and it is the only one to feature Jones’ vocals (hey! and improvisation towards the end). And he claps his hands at her.

Brian was a multi-instrumentalist and has played trumpet, trombone, oboe, saxophone, maracas, organ, cymbals, sitar, mellotron and other instruments both on the band’s recordings and with other musicians: Peter and Gordon, Marian Faithfull, Jimi Hendrix, Nico , The Beatles, The Scaffold (with Paul McCartney’s brother).

Brian Jones and singer Niko

5. A Degree Of Murder

The soundtrack to the silent masterpiece of one of the main directors of the German “new wave” Volker Schlöndorff in 1967 was completely composed by Jones. It featured keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Small Faces drummer Kenny Jones, and future Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Brian himself played organ, sitar, recorder, mellotron and acoustic guitar here.

But all these records are considered lost. And the film itself is not so often seen. Fans were able to track it down and cut all of the music to listen to, and that’s all we have right now. In fact, this is Brian’s only solo album.

In 1971, the album Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka was released, these were recordings of rural Moroccan musicians made in 1968 by Brian, which he then really liked.

6. Krysia Kristine — Thank You For Being There

According to a commentary on the 1990 compilation True Voices , this is “the only song written by Brian Jones”. As we already know, this is not entirely correct.

The story of the song is as follows: music author Carla Olson discovered the guitarist’s poem and composed her own melody for it.

albumsmusiciansrockguitarculture

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