Key Takeaways:
- Kidney stones can affect both adults and children, and their symptoms include lower back pain, frequent urination, nausea, fever and chills.
- Diagnosis of kidney stones is typically achieved through imaging tests and blood/urine tests.
- Prevention of kidney stones includes eating a balanced diet, drinking adequate amounts of water, and incorporating fruits and vegetables into one’s diet.
Introduction
Kidney stones are a common and painful ailment that develop in the kidneys in varying sizes. You may be surprised to learn that the condition isn’t limited to adults and can affect children as well. The causes for kidney stones are numerous and the symptoms can be difficult to recognize. So, it is important to understand what to look for and the various steps in diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
When trying to diagnose a case of kidney stones, the following symptoms can be indicative:
• Pain in Lower Back and Abdomen: The primary symptom of kidney stones is typically a sharp pain in the lower back and abdomen. This can come in waves. Pain may even radiate down the legs in more severe cases.
• Urge to Urinate Frequently: In many cases, the urge to urinate more frequently than normal is a symptom of kidney stones.
• Blood in Urine: Considering the pain associated with kidney stones, it is important to observe any discoloration or blood in the urine. This can provide crucial information for diagnosis and treatment.
• Nausea and Vomiting: In addition to pain and frequent urination, nausea and vomiting can also be linked with kidney stones.
• Fever and Chills: When small stones pass from the kidney and down to the urinary tract, this can cause rise in body temperature. It may also induce chills throughout the body.
Diagnosis of Kidney Stones
An accurate diagnosis of kidney stones is an important factor in correctly treating and preventing them from recurring. This is typically achieved through two main testing methods:
• Imaging Tests: Most commonly, healthcare providers use imaging tests. These include CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays. A closer look at the kidneys can be done and confirm the presence of kidney stones.
• Blood and Urine Tests: Additionally, alongside imaging tests, healthcare providers can perform a laboratory analysis of the patient’s urine and blood. This analysis aims to detect the presence of waxes and salts, which are naturally found in smaller amounts. However, under certain conditions, they can cluster and form stones within kidney structures.
Treatment of Kidney Stones
Treatment for kidney stones or other urinary tract issues depends largely on the type and size of the stones. Different issues require different solutions. The most common treatments are as follows:
• Medications: The type of medication used will vary depending on the condition of the kidneys and the stones. In many cases, medications are prescribed to help alleviate pain and muscle spasms due to urinary tract issues.
• Medical Procedures: In certain cases, medical procedures may be necessary to remove more severe and/or stubborn stones. Typically, these procedures entail using sound waves or light to break down stones accumulated in the urinary tract.
Prevention of Kidney Stones
The best way to prevent kidney stones from forming is to make an effort to care for your kidneys and maintain proper hydration and nutrition.
• Nutrition and Diet: It is important to incorporate a variety of foods in a balanced diet, especially those containing calcium and citrus, as these can help to reduce the risk of stones.
• Hydration and Fluid Intake: Of course, drinking enough fluids is also crucial to keeping healthy levels of hydration. This can be achieved through sufficient water intake as well as through eating fruits and vegetables.
Conclusion
Kidney stones can be a distressing ailment. Recognizing the various signs and symptoms can be key to an accurate diagnosis. Ultimately, certain lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of kidney stones forming. So, it is important to make an effort to focus on these changes. For those experiencing more severe kidney stone cases and/or urinary tract issues, St Pete Urology located in St Petersburg, Florida, can provide a variety of treatments to correct such issues.
References:
- “Kidney Stone Diet Plan and Prevention.” https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diet.
- “Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/k/kidney-stones.
- “Diagnosis of Kidney Stones | NIDDK.” https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/diagnosis.
