Kidney+Stones

!!!!KIDNEY STONES!!!! Kidney stones are tiny specks of solid material that starts forming in the renal pelvis or the tissues in the kidney where urine collects before flowing into the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder). As it flows through the kidneys and the urinary system, the solid pieces adheres with other pieces and gradually increasing in size. This occurs in one or both kidneys. Over time, a stone that is microscopic may grow to a size of 1 inch or more in diameter. Most kidney stones contain calcium which increases the chances of developing stones when milk tainted with melamine is consumed. Other substances such as uric acid or amino acids can crystallize in the urine and form a stone. Any stone with a diameter of about 1/5 inch or more, can cause severe pain if it enters the ureter. Passage of kidney stones is a frequent cause of brief hospital admissions mainly for pain control and fluid pain control. Although kidney stones can happen to anyone, men are much more susceptible to developing kidney stones than women and the risk increases after the age of 30. With melamine toxicity, kidney stones will develop in infants. In this rare case, children develop a type of kidney stone caused by chemical abnormality in the blood. Kidney stones also occur more frequently in people who live in hot climates because of increased loss of body water and dehydration in very warm weather.

http://www.pharmainfo.net/files/images/stories/article_images/Kidney_stone_photographs.jpg

Symptoms: Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. In every case of hospital emergency, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back down the spine and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. If the pain persists, it could cause nausea and vomitin g reactions. Later, pain may spread to the groin. http://www.urinarystones.info/dk/fotoserier/sten-makro/nyresten%20kidney%20stone%20027_600_w_DSCN9003.jpg Typically the stone becomes too large to pass easily, which causes pain to continue as the muscles in the wall of the narrow ureter try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. As the stone moves and the body tries to squeeze it out, blood may appear in the urine, making the urine orange. As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination. If fever, chills and colds accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a person should contact a doctor immediately.

Now that you've seen your doctor, click here to return to the main page to learn more!