How Do Kidney Stones Form? Key Signs and Proven Solutions
Kidneys remove waste and fluid from the body and excreted them in the urine. When there is so much waste in the body and not enough fluids, thus wastes are not possible to excrete through, which in turn sticks to the kidneys and convert as kidney stones. The collection of salt and minerals that are made up of uric acid or calcium forms a hard structure in the kidney called kidney stones. There is a possibility of traveling these stones to other parts of the urinary tract. They can vary in different sizes, some might be too small and some might grow to several inches. In certain cases, kidney stones can grow as large as that of the size of the kidney. Let us see kidney stone causes, and How does kidney stones occur?
How does Kidney Stone Occur?
Anyone can get kidney stones. Men can get more often as compared to women. The kidney stones are formed when the presence of certain minerals in the body gets accumulated in the urine. When you are not well hydrated then the chances of increasing the levels of mineral concentration in the urine is more and when the mineral concentration increases stones are formed inside the kidney.
According to a survey conducted in the US one out of every eleven people in the US gets affected by kidney stones. It is found in common in the people who are obsessed, and in the persons who have diabetes. Until the smaller kidney stones are moved to the ureter the symptoms are not found and the effect of kidney stones can be worsened if not identified earlier.
The Kidney Stone Early Symptoms include:
Occurrence of Pain in the Belly or Back or Side:
The pain that is experienced due to kidney stones are known as renal colic. The one who has experienced this pain can relate it to the pain experienced during childbirth or stab with a knife. When the stones are moved to the narrow part of the ureter it blocks the way and increases the pressure, thus the pain signals are sent by activating the nerve cells and to the brain. As the stone moves the location of the pain changes along with the intensity of it. This pain is felt below the ribs to the sides and back of it. But the severity of the pain does not depend on the size, even the small stones can cause more pain.
Burning Sensation during Urination:
When the stones are moved to the junction that is present in between the ureter and bladder. While urinating the pain is experienced this condition is called dysuria.
The Urgency to Urinate:
Feeling to urinate frequently and urgently than usual is a sign that indicates the presence of stone in the lower part of the urinary tract. This urgency may also happen due to infection in the urinary tract.
Finding Blood in Urine:
Blood found in the urinary tract is a common symptom of kidney stones, this condition is called hematuria.
Smelly Urine:
In a healthy person the urine is clear and odorless. Whereas the foul-smelling urine might be a signal of the infection in the kidney or a part of the urinary tract. According to a survey it is found that about eight percent of the people who have acute kidney stones had an infection in the urinary tract.
Nausea and Vomiting:
It is a common condition found in people suffering from kidney stones. It happens during the connections that are common in between the nerves of kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. The stones present in the kidneys can trigger the nerves that are connected to the GI tract that results in stomach upset. Thus in an intense pain condition, the body responds by having nausea and vomiting sensations.
Chills and Fever:
Infection in the kidney or other part of the urinary tract can lead to fever and chills. The fever might be with a measurable temperature that is more than that of 38 degrees celsius.
What are Kidney Stones Types?
The most common type of kidney stones is calcium stones. These are usually made up of calcium and oxalate and sometimes these are made up of calcium and phosphate too.
When the urine is too acidic then in such cases the uric acid stones are formed. These can either be a combination of themselves or with calcium.
Due to certain types of infection in the urinary tract the struvite stones are formed. The bacteria that caused infection can build up the ammonia in the urine. These stones are formed as a combination of ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium.
The body produces a natural chemical called cystine, due to this reason cystine stones are formed in the body. These are very rare but are caused due to the leakage of cystine from the kidneys into the urine. It is a genetic disorder as well.
Diagnosing and Medication
Before diagnosing any disease knowing the health history is important.
Blood tests are to be done for calcium, electrolytes, uric acid, and phosphorus concentration detection.
BUN - Blood Urea Nitrogen and creatinine for the functioning of the kidney.
To check the crystals, white cells, blood, and bacteria urinalysis are done.
Examination of the type of stone.
In the initial stages or to the small-sized kidney stones, drinking lots of water can increase the flow of urine, which removes or helps to break the kidney stone in urethra.
Lithotripsy:
Sound waves are used to break down the large stones that make them easy to flow through the ureter into the bladder. Light anesthesia is given to the patient and it may also cause bleeding around the kidneys and the nearby organs.
Tunnel Surgery:
This is done only when the stones are damaging the kidneys or stones are too large to pass through the ureter or when the pain is excess and is not able to manage. In this, the surgeon removes the stone by creating a small incision on the back.
Ureteroscopy:
An instrument called a ureteroscope is used to remove the stones that are stuck in the ureter or bladder.
Kidney stone medicine depends on the pain that is experienced, the size and stage in which the kidney stones are developing, the reason, and the type. The antibiotics are given depending on the above-mentioned reasons.
Prevention
Drinking lots of water can reduce the concentration of urine, so being well hydrated is important. Consumption of high sugar levels and high corn syrup should be avoided. Consuming more fruits and vegetables can make the urine less acidic. The animal proteins are involved in the addition of acid to the urine which in turn causes kidney stones. Reduce the excess amount of salt in the diet.
Conclusion
By analyzing the kidney stones meaning, we understood that it causes a lot of pain and can be treated without medication at the initial stage and if neglected it can damage the kidneys. The chances of increasing the risk of an increase in the number of stones in the kidneys may increase. So maintaining the proper diet is important. In fact, consuming anything more than the required can become more harmful and can be toxic.
FAQs on Kidney Stone: Essential Facts, Types, and Treatments
1. What exactly are kidney stones and what are they made of?
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hard, solid mineral and salt deposits that form inside the kidneys. They form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallise and stick together. The most common substance they are made of is calcium oxalate, but they can also be composed of uric acid, struvite, or cystine.
2. What are the primary causes for the formation of kidney stones?
The formation of kidney stones, or nephrolithiasis, is often caused by a combination of factors rather than a single event. Key causes include:
Insufficient fluid intake: Not drinking enough water leads to concentrated urine, which increases the risk of crystal formation.
Diet: Diets high in protein, sodium, and sugar can increase the risk of certain types of kidney stones. High-oxalate foods like spinach and nuts can contribute to calcium oxalate stones.
Medical conditions: Conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), gout, and certain metabolic disorders can predispose an individual to stone formation.
Genetics: A family history of kidney stones increases one's likelihood of developing them.
3. What are the main types of kidney stones found in humans?
Kidney stones are classified based on their chemical composition. The four main types are:
Calcium Stones: The most common type, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. High levels of calcium or oxalate in the urine are a primary cause.
Uric Acid Stones: Form when urine is too acidic. A diet rich in purines (found in red meat and shellfish) can lead to their formation.
Struvite Stones: Often form in response to a urinary tract infection (UTI). These stones can grow quickly and become quite large.
Cystine Stones: These are rare and form in people with a hereditary disorder called cystinuria, which causes the kidneys to excrete too much of a specific amino acid (cystine).
4. What are the common biological symptoms that indicate the presence of kidney stones?
A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves into the ureter—the tube connecting the kidney and bladder. Key symptoms include renal colic (severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs), pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, painful urination (dysuria), pink, red, or brown urine (haematuria), cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and a persistent need to urinate.
5. How does the process of supersaturation in urine lead to the formation of kidney stones?
Supersaturation is the key initial step in stone formation. It occurs when the concentration of crystal-forming substances in the urine (like calcium, oxalate, or uric acid) is too high for the liquid to dissolve them completely. This creates an unstable environment where these substances can no longer stay dissolved and begin to form solid crystals. Over time, these tiny crystals can aggregate and grow into a larger, solid mass, which we know as a kidney stone.
6. Why do kidney stones cause such intense pain, and where is it typically felt?
The intense pain, known as renal colic, is not caused by the stone itself but by the blockage it creates. When a stone moves from the kidney into the narrow ureter, it can obstruct the flow of urine. This causes urine to back up, leading to stretching and swelling of the kidney (hydronephrosis) and ureter. This stretching activates pain receptors, causing severe, spasmodic pain. The pain is typically felt in the flank (the side area between the ribs and the hip) and can radiate downwards to the lower abdomen and groin as the stone travels.
7. What is the biological difference between kidney stones and gallstones?
While both are solid formations in the body, their composition and location are fundamentally different. Kidney stones form in the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder) and are primarily composed of mineral salts like calcium oxalate and uric acid. In contrast, gallstones form in the gallbladder and are typically made of hardened cholesterol or bilirubin. The pain and symptoms also originate from different systems—the urinary tract for kidney stones and the biliary tract for gallstones.
8. What are the potential dangers or complications if a kidney stone obstructs the urinary tract?
If a kidney stone causes a persistent blockage in the urinary tract, several serious complications can arise. The obstruction can lead to:
Hydronephrosis: The swelling of a kidney due to the buildup of urine, which can damage kidney tissue over time.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Stagnant urine behind the blockage provides a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to infections that can become severe.
Renal Damage: Prolonged, severe blockage can lead to a loss of kidney function and, in rare cases, permanent kidney failure.
Sepsis: A severe infection that spreads from the urinary tract into the bloodstream, which is a life-threatening medical emergency.
9. How can diet and lifestyle choices help prevent kidney stones?
Preventing kidney stones largely involves managing the factors that cause them. Key strategies include:
Staying Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is the most important step. It dilutes the urine and helps flush out crystal-forming substances.
Dietary Adjustments: For those prone to calcium oxalate stones, reducing intake of high-oxalate foods (like spinach, beets, nuts) and sodium is beneficial. For uric acid stones, limiting red meat and shellfish is advised.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Obesity is a risk factor for kidney stone formation.
Adequate Calcium Intake: Contrary to popular belief, a diet with adequate calcium can help prevent stones by binding with oxalate in the intestines.
10. How does the size of a kidney stone influence whether it can pass on its own?
The size of a kidney stone is a critical factor in determining its ability to pass spontaneously. The ureter, the tube through which a stone must pass, is only a few millimetres in diameter. Generally, stones that are less than 5 mm have a high probability of passing on their own with increased fluid intake. Stones between 5 mm and 10 mm have a lower chance and may require medical intervention. Stones larger than 10 mm very rarely pass without treatment and often cause significant pain and blockage, necessitating procedures like lithotripsy or surgery.
