What Is Nephrolithiasis?

Nephrolithiasis is the clinical term for the disease commonly known as kidney stones, which are pieces that resemble tiny stones that crystallize usually in the kidneys or other parts of the urinary system. The size of nephrolithiasis can be as minute as sand grains or they can develop to a much larger size. A person can have just a single kidney stone or more. Usually, a person with small nephrolithiasis may not even be aware when they pass out of their body. Problems arise when the nephrolithiasis are large, which often causes them to get trapped in the ureter. When this happens, the stones will block the flow of urine, which can be very painful.

Nephrolithiasis form when there is an imbalance of toxics and fluid in the urine, which causes certain waste substances to crystallize in the kidneys instead of passing out of the urinary system. The four types of substances that can accumulate and clump together to develop into nephrolithiasis are calcium, uric acid, oxalate and phosphate.

You have a greater risk of developing nephrolithiasis if your daily water or fluid intake is low or if you frequently have infections in your urinary tract. As with any other medical condition, your diet plays a role in developing nephrolithiasis. The risks are higher if your diet is high in protein (meats) and/or in salt. Some medications such as antacids and diuretics have also been found to increase the risk of nephrolithiasis as do some medical problems like gout or a congenital kidney disorder. Having a history of nephrolithiasis in the family is also a risk factor.

Commonly, the chief symptom of nephrolithiasis is sudden and extreme back pain that starts in the middle of that area extending across to the side and may travel down to the groin. Sufferers may experience the pain intermittently and can be very intense. Other common nephrolithiasis symptoms are chills and fever (if an infection has developed), throwing up and feeling nauseous, and urination problems (blood in urine, burning feeling when urinating, urinating frequently).

Proper diagnosis of nephrolithiasis is critical because its symptoms are close to the symptoms of other urinary problems. To diagnose nephrolithiasis, your doctor will administer a medical examination and ask about your diet, lifestyle and overall health.
Your doctor may refer you to a urologist, who is a specialist in disorders of the urinary system.

The common way to treat nephrolithiasis is through natural passage, because in majority of cases the size of the stones is small enough to pass out in the urine naturally. To promote this, the doctor would require you to drink at least 8 to 12 cups of fluids every day. The doctor will ask you to use a special cup when you urinate to catch the stones so they can be tested. The doctor may also prescribe some pain relievers for you. If this form of treatment fails, you need to undergo surgery or other medical procedures depending on the size of the nephrolithiasis and their location.