Kidney Stones – An Overview of this Painful Condition

Kidney stones are known to cause extreme pain and suffering to those who have them. Certain risk factors and lifestyle habits can place a person at a higher risk of developing this medical problem. Dehydration is the most frequent cause of the formation of kidney stones. Sometimes the case can be minor and subside without much assistance or attention, but severe cases are also common, leaving the person to seek professional treatment. A urologist is the specialist who can provide the treatment required.

What Causes Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are concentrations of calcium, uric acid, and oxalate that have been precipitated out of urine and crystalized. They are formed by the kidneys and usually caused by dehydration. People who live in the hotter climate of southern states and those who do not drink enough water have a heightened risk of developing kidney stones. However, there can be several other causes of this condition, including dietary habits, urinary tract infections, metabolic derangements, obesity, digestive disorders, hyperparathyroidism, and a number of other medical conditions. Even genetics can increase a person’s risk, as people are more prone to kidney stone development if someone in their family also suffered from kidney stones.

How to Cope with Such a Frightening Experience

Kidney stones often cause intense pain, an experience that can be frightening. A major source of the fear is the patient’s concern that they have developed a far more dangerous condition; the high amount of pain felt may cause the patient to suspect that their life is threatened. Identifying the cause of the stones is often essential to effective treatment. Patients who want the best care should receive their therapy from a skilled and caring urologist, like the doctors at St Pete Urology.