What are kidney stones?
Nephrolithiasis is a disease caused by stones in the kidney or kidney stones found within the kidney or in the urinary tract (ureter or bladder).
Stones are clusters of crystals or mineral salts that form due to substances found in urine. These stones can be as large as a pearl or as small as a grain of sand. (1)(3)
Types of kidney stones
There are mainly 4 types of kidney stones (4):
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Calcium stones: these are the most common and are usually composed of calcium oxalate (a natural chemical found in most foods); rarely, they can be composed of calcium and phosphate.
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Uric acid stones: these form when urine is too acidic.
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Struvite stones: these can appear when you have certain types of urinary tract infections in which bacteria produce a type of ammonia. These stones are composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate.
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Cystine stones: these are formed by a naturally occurring substance in the body called cystine. These stones are rare, as they only occur in people who have a genetic disorder that causes cystine to be transferred from the kidneys to the urine.
There are supplements that will help you maintain a urinary pH in the proper range and thus prevent the appearance and formation of kidney stones.
Who is at higher risk of getting kidney stones?
Everyone can suffer from kidney stones at some point in their life, but some people are more prone to them than others. Men and white people are more likely to develop them than women or Hispanic people. Other characteristics that can make you prone to kidney stones are (4):
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You have had kidney stones before.
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Someone in your family has had kidney stones; there is a genetic or hereditary condition.
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You don't drink enough fluids daily (especially water).
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You eat a diet high in protein, sodium, and/or sugar. Remember to maintain a balanced diet.
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You are overweight or obese.
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You have had gastric bypass surgery or other intestinal surgery.
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You have polycystic kidney disease or another cystic kidney disease.
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If you have a certain condition that causes urine to contain high levels of cystine, oxalate, uric acid, or calcium.
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If you have a condition that causes swelling or irritation in your intestines or joints.
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You take certain medications such as diuretics (water pills) or calcium-based antacids.
What are the main symptoms of kidney stones?
If you have kidney stones, the main symptoms you will notice are: (2)
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Sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin.
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Presence of blood in the urine. You can observe this through the color of your urine.
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Frequent urge to urinate.
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Pain when urinating.
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Inability to urinate or when only a small amount can be urinated.
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Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
It does not happen in all cases, but it is possible that some of these symptoms are accompanied by episodes such as:
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Fever.
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Chills.
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Nausea and vomiting.
Remember, if you think you may have a kidney stone, go to your nearest hospital or medical center.
References:
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Colegio oficial de farmacéuticos de Madrid, http://blog.cofm.es/litiasis-renal-piedras-rinon/
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/informacion-de-la-salud/enfermedades-urologicas/piedras-rinones/sintomas-causas
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Urología clínica Bilbao, https://www.urologiaclinicabilbao.com/patologias/21/las-piedras-en-el-rinon-y-su-tratamiento.html
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America Kidney Fund, http://www.kidneyfund.org/en-espanol/enfermedad-de-los-rinones/otros-problemas-renales/calculos-renales.html
