The Pains of Kidney Stones

People who have experienced the extreme pain of an advanced kidney stone problem often equate it to giving birth. It is a typically very painful problem, and one that is impossible to ignore. What many people do not know is that it is entirely possible to have a kidney stone without any symptoms at all. Most kidney stones are as small as a grain of salt and people end up passing them before they ever get big enough to cause pain. When things go wrong, however, and stones grown into a large solid substance in the urinary tract, the pain is inevitable. Symptoms of a blockage due to a stone include sharp, radiating or stabbing pain in the side, or lower abdomen. In some cases a blockage can cause lower back pain as well. It is a common belief that the pain is caused by the sharp crystine masses, but it is really a result of the calcium build up getting so big it can block urine from flowing through the urethra. Additional symptoms of a blockage include: • Pain or discomfort when you pee • Pain in the genitals • Blood tinged or cloudy urine • Frequent urination • Fever or chills • Trouble urinating • Pain in the groin area • Changes in or fluctuating frequency and intensity of pain • Nausea, vomiting, feeling sick to stomach What Causes Kidney Stones? Renal lithiasis, or kidney stones, are caused by a build up of minerals and acid salts. While it would be nice to be able to pin a particular cause on the development of these painful little crystals, anyone can get them. However, there are some risk factors that can increase your chances of developing tones, too much calcium in the diet, or a lack of the nutrients that prevent crystals from sticking to each other. People who have developed stones are more likely to have a repeat episode within a five-year period. It can help to know what type of kidney stone you had, in order to lower the chances of developing them again. There are four basic types of kidney stone: calcium stones which are the most common, struvite stones caused by infections in the urinary tract, uric acid stones caused by not getting enough water and fluids, and finally, cystine masses that are caused by a hereditary problem of the kidney’s releasing too high of a level of the amino acid cystinuria. General risk factors for developing stones include diet, lack of water or dehydration, family history, obesity, and some medical conditions. Having a kidney stone can, in extreme cases cause its own medical conditions. Kidney damage can occur if kidney stones are left untreated. It is also important to strive to follow up with your physician once you pass your stone. Even though the pain has stopped, small particles may remain behind that can be passed through the kidneys causing long-term damage. Your Diet and Kidney Stones What you eat can play an important role in preventing these type of stones. Eating foods with a high oxalate levels can increase the chances of developing urinary stones that develop into the pearls that get suck and cause such excruciating pain. Foods to avoid include dark beer, black tea, chocolate milk, nuts, soy products, starchy foods and even some vegetables like beans, beets, carrots and more. Treating a Kidney Stone Mild stones usually pass with very little problem. However, if you are experiencing extreme pain, fever, chills, nausea or there is a change in the color or frequency of your urination you should seek help fast. When a crystal gets stuck in the urinary track the blockage causes severe pain, but it also allows the stone to grow even bigger. Don’t wait for the pain to go away. Studies have shown that the kidney damage risk increased dramatically when stones were left untreated for more than 24 hours. After performing a few routine tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan, your physician will likely prescribe medications to help you break up the stone, as well as pain killers to help you deal with the discomfort. You may be guided to a nutritionist to follow up with how to get the right amounts of iron in your food and find the right range of oxalates so you can prevent future developments as well.