Kidney Stones
A kidney stone, also known as a renal calculus is a solid concretion or crystal aggregation formed in the kidneys from dietary minerals in the urine. Urinary stones are typically classified by their location in the kidney (nephrolithiasis), ureter (ureterolithiasis), or bladder (cystolithiasis), or by their chemical composition (calcium-containing, struvite, uric acid, or other compounds). About 80% of those with kidney stones are men. Men most commonly experience their first episode between 30 and 40 years of age, while for women the age at first presentation is somewhat later.
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Signs and symptoms
Dietary factors that increase the risk of stone formation include low fluid intake and high dietary intake of animal protein, sodium, refined sugars, fructose and high fructose corn syrup, oxalate, grapefruit juice, apple juice, and cola drinks.
Investigation for kidney stones
- Kidney Function Test
- Urine Routine & Microscopy
- Urine test strip: A urine test strip can quantify parameters such as:
- Leukocytes: with presence in urine known as leukocyturia
- Nitrite: with presence in urine known as Nitrituria
- Protein: with presence in urine known as Proteinuria also see Albuminuria and Microalbuminuria
- Blood: with presence in urine known as Hematuria
- Specific gravity
- pH
- Microscopic examination
- Hoematuria: associated with kidney stones, infections, tumors and other conditions
- Pyuria: associated with urinary infections
- Eosinophiluria: associated with allergic interstitial nephritis, atheroembolic disease
- Red blood cell casts: associated with glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, malignant hypertension
- White blood cell casts: associated with acute interstitial nephritis, exudative glomerulonephritis, severe pyelonephritis
- (heme) granular casts: associated with acute tubular necrosis
- Crystalluria: associated with acute urate nephropathy
- Calcium oxalatin: associated with ethylene glycol toxicity
- Ultrasound Whole Abdomen with Kidney, Ureter & Bladder (KUB)
- Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
- X-Ray KUB
- Spiral CT plain and contrast
Small Stones Treatment
Most small kidney stones won't require invasive treatment. You may be able to pass a small stone by:
- Drinking water. Drinking as much as 2 to 3 quarts (1.9 to 2.8 liters) a day may help flush out your urinary system. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, drink enough fluid — mostly water — to produce clear or nearly clear urine.
- Pain relievers. Passing a small stone can cause some discomfort. To relieve mild pain, your doctor may recommend pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve).
- Medical therapy. Your doctor may give you a medication to help pass your kidney stone. This type of medication, known as an alpha blocker, relaxes the muscles in your ureter, helping you pass the kidney stone more quickly and with less pain.
