Kidney Stones

About Kidney Stones

Kidney stones nephrolithiasis affect approximately 1 in 11 people in the United States. Stones form when urine becomes supersaturated with minerals, primarily calcium oxalate 75 to 80 percent, uric acid 5 to 10 percent, struvite 5 to 10 percent, and cystine 1 percent. Risk factors include dehydration, high sodium intake, high animal protein diet, obesity, and certain medical conditions hyperparathyroidism, gout, inflammatory bowel disease. The hallmark symptom is severe flank pain that radiates to the groin, often described as the worst pain imaginable, associated with nausea, vomiting, blood in urine hematuria, and urinary urgency. Diagnosis is made through non contrast CT scan. Small stones often pass on their own with pain relief and supportive care. Larger stones may require lithotripsy shock wave therapy, ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Prevention generally centres on drinking enough fluid to keep urine dilute and reducing sodium, and some people with recurrent calcium stones are prescribed thiazide diuretics. Severe pain with fever or shivering can indicate an infected, blocked kidney, which needs emergency medical care.