Kidney stones have been described as some of the most painful things in the world. Passing a kidney stone is sheer agony. The onset of kidney stones is often quick and the pain can be debilitating. Kidney stones are solid crystal aggregations formed in the kidneys from dissolved urinary materials. They usually leave the body by passage in the urine stream and many stones are formed and passed without causing symptoms. The passing kidney stone can go undetected. If the stones grow before being passed, they can get to be around 2 to 3 mm in size and can cause obstruction of the urinary system.
The obstruction can cause stretching of the urinary tract and also cause muscle spasm, which is the body’s way of trying to remove the stone. This is what causes kidney stone pain and it is most commonly felt in the lower abdomen or groin area. The most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate crystals and occurs in over 75% of the cases presented. Depending on who you talk to, too much calcium or not enough calcium can be what causes kidney stones. More recent studies tend to lead to the lack of calcium or low calcium diets cause kidney stones.
Once diagnosed either by x-ray or ultrasound, treatment will vary. Most kidney stones that are smaller than 4mm will pass on their own or spontaneously, but stones larger than 6mm will require some form of intervention. Treatment for kidney stones can range from medication to treat infection and reduce pain, to diuretics which encourage urine flow and prevent further stone formation.
Most stones do not require kidney stone surgery and will pass on their own. Surgery is usually only necessary when the pain is constant and unrelenting, in renal failure or when there is a kidney infection. Finding a stone of substantial size before it passes through the urinary tract can allow your doctor to break it up before it causes any severe problems. In many cases non-invasive shock wave therapy is done for kidney stone removal, and this includes laser and ultrasonic therapy to fragment larger stones.
There are kidney stone diets that manage the removal of calcium from the kidney’s. A kidney stone diet will include an increase of how much you drink per day, a slight increase of calcium from food sources like milk, and oxalic acid which comes from plants like spinach, rhubarb, and beets. It will require a decrease in animal protein like steaks and a decrease in sugars and sodium.
Other kidney stone treatment is actually more preventative, which include strategies to modify the diet, and sometimes taking drugs with the goal of reducing the load on the kidneys. Drinking plenty of water and fluids, a diet low in protein, sodium and nitrogen, restriction of oxalate rich foods like chocolate, nuts and soybeans and taking drugs like potassium citrate and magnesium citrate. Always remember to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any diet or medication. Be Healthy!
