Passing Kidney Stones
When you endure a recurring pain on your flank or in the area of your kidneys, then it should be time for you to see the doctor. Kidney stones do not always pass on their own and one might require help with flushing them out.
Renal calculi, also known as kidney stones, are crystallized substances that are formed inside the urinary tract or the kidneys. If you have kidney stones then you will feel pain in your abdomen, sides or groin. Blood in the urine is usually the result. This condition is called nephrolithiasis while having stones in your urinary tract is called urolithiasis.
Once the symptoms of stones are known, there is way to determine who are the most at risk of getting kidney stones.
While no one is completely immune to kidney stones, age and eating habits do play a large factor. Some medications can increase the chance of kidney stones being formed.
The appearance of kidney stones is often congenital, associated with lots of uric acid in the body. Women who are expecting can get kidney stones more easily since their uterus can block the ability of the bladder to hold urine. Another factor is the progesterone increase in pregnant women.
Your chances of developing a kidney stone increase if you’ve had one before and if you don’t consume adequate fluids. The causes of kidney stones are different for each person but here is a short list of those at risk.
A higher volume of stone forming particles in your kidneys or urinary tract and a lower volume of urine causes kidney stones. Chemicals such as calcium and uric acid help in the development of stones inside your body.
Being extremely dehydrated can bring on kidney stones, so it’s important to get enough liquid intake throughout the day. If you hold your urine in too long it can lead to the development of stones.
Urinary tract infection can also cause stone formation inside your body. Gout can lead to stone formation because of the increase of uric acid. Very high levels of calcium in your body can cause hypercalciuria which can lead to stone formation.
Those at risk of developing stones in their body include those with inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal surgery patients. Salt, meat, and too much sugar can cause stones.