Last updated on March 2nd, 2023 at 01:35 pm
Signs of a Kidney Stone: Have you ever had a mysterious pain in your side? It could be the sign of something more serious—like a kidney stone.
Kidney stones are painful and uncomfortable. They cause severe pain in the lower back and abdomen. If left untreated, they can result in kidney failure or even death.
Kidney stones are tiny crystals formed within the kidneys. The main symptom is excruciating pain that occurs suddenly and lasts for hours. Most patients experience at least one episode during their lifetime.
There are several ways to prevent kidney stone formation. These include drinking plenty of water, avoiding certain foods (like caffeine), taking magnesium supplements, and exercising regularly.
Kidney Stones Early Symptoms
- Pain in the lower back, flank, groin, or upper abdomen.
- Nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, blood in urine, or decreased urination.
- Weight gain, fatigue, anemia, muscle cramps, or leg swelling.
- Urine that is dark yellow or brownish red.
- Burning sensation while urinating
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones form when minerals in urine crystallize into hard deposits that block the flow of urine out of the kidneys.
The most common cause is too much calcium in the diet.
Other risk factors include dehydration, certain medications, and genetics.
Kidney stones what causes them?
According to Webmed.com, Kidney stones (KS) are hard stone-like objects that can develop within your kidneys. They’re made of minerals and salts, and they may cause pain. Your doctor may refer to them as renal calculi or surgery to remove kidney stones.
Kidney stones are small – typically about the size of a kernel or a grain of salt. Some people get them more often than others. They can be brown or yellow and smooth or rough.
It is a solid material that forms in the kidney when substances are normally found within the urine and become very concentrated. KS is caused by high levels of calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus in the urine.
Best Way To Treat
The best way to prevent kidney stones is to make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid getting dry. It is very important to keep urine diluted to avoid waste forming in kidney stones.
Add lemon to your water! This is the traditional natural remedy that the right kidney has got. While lemon water is often touted as a cleansing or alkaline drink, the main reason being helpful in reducing stone formation is its citric acid content. Citric acid prevents the stone formation and breaks even small stones that are starting to form.
The more citric acid in the urine, the more you are protected against the formation of new kidney stones.
- Citric acid makes urine less conducive to stone formation.
- It prevents small stones from becoming stones-problem by coating them and blocking other materials from sticking to the stones.
Questions and Answers
Surgery for Kidney Stones
A urologist can remove the kidney stone or break it into small pieces with the following treatments: Shock wave lithotripsy. The doctor can use a shock wave lithotripsy link to blast the kidney stone into small pieces. The smaller pieces of the kidney stone then pass through your urinary tract
Can Kidney Stones Cause Blood In Urine?
Kidney stones are painful and dangerous, but they don’t always cause blood in the urine. What causes blood in urine?
Blood in the urine is usually caused by kidney problems or bladder infections. If you experience bloody urine, call your doctor immediately.
Blood in the urine can also occur due to other conditions such as urinary tract infection (UTI), diabetes, high cholesterol, liver disease, cancer, pregnancy, and certain medications.
Can Kidney Stones Cause Gastrointestinal Problems?
A person who has a kidney stone may experience issues with their stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some GI symptoms that could signal a kidney stone include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- general stomach discomfort that does not go away
What is An Oxalate Diet?
An oxalate diet is a dietary approach that involves limiting foods high in oxalates, which are natural compounds found in many plant-based foods. Oxalates can bind with calcium in the body and form crystals, which can lead to kidney stones, a painful condition that can cause damage to the kidneys over time.
What Are The Benefits Of An Oxalte Diet?
The benefits of an oxalate diet include reducing the risk of kidney stone formation and potentially improving symptoms for people with certain conditions, such as hyperoxaluria or calcium oxalate kidney stones.
However, it is important to note that not all kidney stones are caused by high oxalate intake and an oxalate diet may not be appropriate for everyone. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes.
Source & Credits:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/symptoms-of-kidney-stones
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/kidney-stone-signs/
While some kidney stones pass on their own, others require treatment such as medications or procedures to help break up the stone or even surgical removal
I’ve experienced some of these symptoms before and never realized they could be related to kidney stones. This post is a great reminder to pay attention to our bodies and not ignore any unusual discomfort.