Kidney Stones – causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
A kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. It is one of the most painful problems of urinary tract. A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time. Kidney stones, usually comprised of a compound called calcium oxalate, are the result of a build-up of dissolved minerals on the inner lining of the kidneys. Kidney stones often occur when urine becomes too concentrated.
Kidney stones consist of a center that consists of crystal-like substances and a surrounding region that is composed of layers. Different kinds of kidney stones include calcium stones, uric acid stones, cystine stones and struvite stones. Kidney stones are experienced between the ages of 30 and 50.
Causes of Kidney Stones
- Urine contains certain substances which converts into crystals.
- Lack of water.
- An excessively acidic environment in the kidneys is conducive to the formation of kidney stones.
- Heredity.
- Intake of certain foods results in too much of certain stone-forming components in the urine.
- Bowel disease.
- Chronic urinary tract infections.
- Urinary tract blockage.
- Minimal activity.
Signs and Symptoms of Kidney Stones
- Intense, colicky pain that may fluctuate in intensity over a period of 5 to 15 minutes. The pain usually starts in your back or your side just below the edge of your ribs.
- Severe Pain.
- Nausea and Vomiting.
- Blood in the urine.
- Increase in frequency or urgency of urination, or the inability to urinate.
- Fever, chills and weakness.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- Pus in urine.
Diagnosis of Kidney Stones
- Diagnostic tests include a blood test, a urine test and a 24-hour urine collection test.
- Kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB) x-ray, a kidney ultrasound, an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and if recommended, a CAT (CT) scan.
Treatment of Kidney Stones
- About 90 percent of all kidney stones can pass through the urinary system spontaneously with the help of plenty of water (two to three quarts a day) to help the stone move along.
- Pain medications.
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESLW) – Shock waves generated in water (like very tiny tidal waves) can be very precisely directed into the abdomen to break up the stone into smaller particles that can be easily passed in the urine.
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy – This method makes use of a tunnel-like surgical device that is inserted into a small hole in the patient’s back and positioned on the kidney.
- Ureteroscopy – When the stone is located in the ureter, this device, which looks like a wire, is inserted into the patient’s urethra and threaded through the bladder and up the ureter to where the stone is lodged.
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Categories: abdomen, benefits, causes, cure, Diagnosis, growth, health, Uncategorized Tags: Calcium, causes, Crystals, Diagnosis, Dissolve, health, Kidney, Kidney Stone, Material, pain, Severe, Signs, Solid, stomach, Stones, Symptoms, Treatment, Urinary tract, Urine
Water yourself….the health benefits of drinking water.
Thirst is what makes you drink, regulated by the amount of salt or sodium in your blood. Drinking too much of water is seldom a concern. It is safe to drink about 2.5 liters of water in a day. It should not probably exceed 4.8 liters. A problem called water intoxication can occur in marathon runners and other athletes, people working for long hours in heat.
Signs of Dehydration
Mild Dehydration
- Light headedness
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Flushed skin
In this condition, you need rest, fluids and a cool room.
Moderate Dehydration
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Severe headaches and weakness
- Lack of energy and concentration
- Small quantities of urine
- Reduced skin elasticity
In this condition, you need to replace electrolytes with electro l or O.R.S. and rest in a cool a room.
Severe Dehydration
- Muscle spasm
- Swollen tongue
- Poor blood circulation
- Increased weakness
- Fainting
- No urine output
- Confusion and delirium
In this condition, you need to call a doctor and have an intravenous drip.
With 8 to 10 glasses of water in a day, you can add many more benefits than just quenching your thirst.
- Boost your energy level: The more water you drink, the less glycogen which your muscles use for energy, you spend. Water makes you less tired.
- Keep the skin glowing: Sun sucks out moisture leaving you dry, taunt, wrinkled. Less water means larger pores, acne, breakouts. Water will not only replenish lost liquid but keep your skin glowing and clear.
- Keep your kidneys stone free: By drinking more water, you dilute your pee and nip salt crystals that burgeon in stones. Adding lime juice to it is even a better idea.
- Sidestep cold: Lack of water dries out your mucous producing tissues which trap viruses. Drinking water will help you to get rid of that phlegm producing cough.
- Unclog your plumbing: water keep you from getting constipated, because the food that you eat, specially fiber and roughage, works better when it soaks up fluid.
- Take the sting out of painkillers: Chances of developing acidity after eating antibiotics is reduced with the intake of water.
- Help brain to do its job: Leaking sweat can impair your concentration and reaction time and effect your ability to make decisions.
- Prevent jet lag: The dry air in a plane can pull the water out of you. You breathe harder because of lower levels of oxygen. An extra glass before a flight and a glass every hour you are in the clouds keeps you flying fit.
- Keep you slim: A glass of water will tank you up before your next meal, and help you to lay off the lays. It makes you feel full if you drink it with your meal. That’s why you can actually lose weight if you drink more zero calorie water.