Learning About Kidney Calculi
Kidney calculi, also known as kidney stones, are formations that may develop in the urinary tract when chemical substances that should have been dispelled in the urine precipitates. The exact causes of kidney calculi are not known but some of the factors that have been identified to increase the risk of developing kidney calculi include:
* Dehydration: Not drinking enough fluids will increase the concentration of substances in the urine that form calculi or stones.
* Diet: A high-protein and high-sodium diet puts a person at greater risk of certain types of kidney calculi and so is a diet that lacks calcium and whole grains.
* Gender, Race, and Age: Men are more at risk than women of developing kidney calculi and Caucasians also have a greater risk than African Americans. This disorder usually occurs in people ages 20 to 40.
* Medical History: Having a relative with kidney calculi increases the chances of person to develop it, too. The risk is also greater for those who previously had kidney calculi.
* Other risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, some medications like diuretics, and certain disorders like chronic UTI or urinary tract infections.
The size and number of kidney calculi vary and a person can have multiple stones or just a single stone. Kidney calculi may settle in the kidney or find their way to the urinary tract. If the stones are small, they will pass out of the body but large kidney calculi often get lodged in the ureter, the urethra or the bladder, obstructing urine flow and causing intense pain.
The typical symptoms of kidney calculi include intense and persistent back or side pain usually accompanied with vomiting and nausea, blood spots in the urine, frequent urinating and a burning sensation when urinating. It is important to note that the above kidney calculi symptoms may be similar to the symptoms of other medical conditions so to be sure, always consult a doctor to get the proper diagnosis.
Sufferers of kidney calculi need immediate medical attention. The good news is that in ninety percent of cases, the size of the kidney calculi is less than 5 millimeters in diameter so they can be treated without the need for surgery through measures that stimulate natural kidney stone passing such as increased hydration, dietary changes, daily consumption of ascorbic acid, and medication.
However, if the kidney calculi are too large to pass naturally out of the body then surgery may be necessary. The doctor may also consider lithotripsy, an alternative procedure that utilizes shock waves to break up the calculi either for suction removal or natural passing.
Most cases of kidney calculi are not only treatable but also preventable. Drinking plenty of fluids, limiting intake of tea, coffee and soda, and dietary modifications are effective ways to prevent this disorder.
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