Causes of kidney stones
Urine is rich in dissolved minerals and salts. While your urine has a high concentration of these minerals and salts, stones can form. Kidney stones might start small but expand to fill the interior hollow structures of the kidney. Some remain in the kidney and create no issues. It can sometimes move down the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. If the stone reaches the bladder, urine may expel it. When a stone becomes stuck in the ureter, it restricts urine flow from that kidney and produces pain.
A kidney stone can be as small as a grain of sand, and you may pass it without even realizing it. However, a larger one can obstruct your urine flow and cause severe pain. Some claim the pain is worse than childbirth. Many factors can cause kidney stones, including what you eat and certain medications. You are more likely to get kidney stones if you or anyone in your family has had them.
How common are kidney stones?
According to research, one out of every ten persons gets a kidney stone in their life. They are significantly less prevalent in children than adults, but they occur for the same reasons. They are four times more likely to arise in asthmatic children than in non asthmatic children.
Symptoms
You may not have symptoms until the stones pass through the tubes (ureters) that drain urine into your bladder. When this occurs, the stones might obstruct urine passage from the kidneys.
- The prime symptom is severe pain that comes and goes suddenly.
- Pain is felt in the abdomen or on the side of the back.
- Unusual urine color
- Fever
- Blood in the urine
- Vomiting and nausea
- Being unable to urinate.
- Having urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.
- Feeling pain when urinating.
Smaller kidney stones are less likely to produce pain or other symptoms. These “silent stones” are excreted in your urine.
Who is most prone to kidney stones? What are the dangers?
Kidney stones are more common in white men in their 30s and 40s. However, kidney stones can occur in anyone.
There are various risk factors for kidney stones. These are some examples:
- Not getting enough fluids
- Consuming foods that contain the chemicals that create the stones
- Having a kidney stone family history
- Having a urinary tract obstruction
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity.
- Poultry and eats
- Sodium
- Sugars
When to see a doctor
If you see any signs or symptoms that concern you, make an appointment with your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you suffer any of the following symptoms:
- You can’t sit still or find a comfortable posture because you’re in so much pain.
- Nausea and vomiting accompany the pain.
- Fever and chills accompany the pain.
- You have blood in your pee.
- Urine passage difficulty