Pronounced: REE-nul KALK-you-lie
Kidney stones are pieces of a stone or crystal-like material. These stones form inside the kidneys or urinary tract. The kidneys remove waste (in the form of urine) from the body. They also balance the water and electrolyte content in the blood by filtering salt and water.
There are several types of kidney stones:
Approximately 50% of kidney stones are due to unknown causes. Some of the known causes include:
These factors increase your chance of developing kidney stones. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Occasionally, kidney stones do not cause symptoms, and they leave the body in the urine. The condition, though, can cause severe pain.
Symptoms include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
Treatment depends on the size and location of the kidney stone. Treatment may include:
For small kidney stones, drinking at least two or three quarts of water a day helps the body pass the stone in the urine. The doctor may provide a special cup to catch the stone when it passes so that it can be analyzed. If you are having a hard time keeping fluids down, you may need to be hospitalized to receive fluids in your vein.
Your doctor may recommend that you take pain medication. You may need medication that is given in the vein or in the muscles. Nerve stimulation therapy might also be helpful in relieving pain. * 2
Medications used to treat high blood pressure (eg, calcium channel blockers and alpha blockers) may help your body pass kidney stones. * 1
Surgery may be necessary if the stone is:
Types of surgery include:
If you are diagnosed as having kidney stones, follow your doctor's instructions .
Once you have formed a kidney stone, you are more likely to form another. Here are some steps to prevent this condition:
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org/
UrologyHealth.org
http://www.urologyhealth.org/index.cfm/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca/
References:
Borghi L, Meschi T, Maggiore U, Prati B. Dietary therapy in idiopathic nephrolithiasis. Nutr Rev. 2006;64:301-312.
Calcium. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114 . Updated February 2008. Accessed July 20, 2008.
Campell MF, Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, Elsevier; 2007.
Coe FL, Evan A, Worcester E. Kidney stone disease. J Clin Invest. 2005;115:2598-2608.
Guidelines from the American Urological Association. American Urological Association website. Available at: http://www.auafoundation.org/auafhome.asp . Accessed July 22, 2008.
Kang DE, Sur RL, Haleblian GE, et al. Long-term lemonade based dietary manipulation in patients with hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis. J Urol. 2007;177:1358-1362.
Kidney stones in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.htm . Published October 2007. Accessed July 22, 2008.
Martini LA, Wood RJ. Should dietary calcium and protein be restricted in patients with nephrolithiasis? Nutr Rev. 2000;58:111-117.
Pearle MS, Lingemann JE, Leveillee R, et al. Prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy for lower pole caliceal calculi 1 cm or less. J Urol. 2005;173:2005-2009.
Vitamin C. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114 . Updated October 2007. Accessed July 20, 2008.
* 1 11/29/06 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Hollingsworth JM, Rogers MA, Kaufman SR, et al. Medical therapy to facilitate urinary stone passage: a meta-analysis. Lancet. 2006;368:1171-1179.
* 2 7/12/06 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Mora B, Giorni E, Dobrovits M, et al. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: an effective treatment for pain caused by renal colic in emergency care. J Urol. 2006;175:1737-1741; discussion 1741.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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