Kidney Stone

February 2, 2017

Kidney stones (calculi) are hardened mineral deposits that form in the kidney. They originate as microscopic particles or crystals and develop into stones over time. The medical term for this condition is nephrolithiasis, or renal stone disease.

The job of the kidneys is to maintain the body’s balance of water, minerals and salts. Urine is the product of this filtering process. Under certain conditions, substances normally dissolved in urine, such as calcium, oxalate and phosphate, become too concentrated and can separate out as crystals. A kidney stone develops when these crystals attach to one another, accumulating into a small mass, or stone.

Kidney stones vary in size and shape. Stones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Some stones are even as big as golf balls. Stones may be smooth or jagged and are usually yellow or brown.

Kidney stones come in a variety of mineral types –

Calcium stones – Most kidney stones are composed of calcium and oxalate. Many people who form calcium containing stones have too much calcium in their urine, a condition known as hypercalciuria There are several reasons why hypercalciuria may occur. Some people absorb too much calcium from their intestines. Others absorb too much calcium from their bones. Still others have kidneys that do not correctly regulate the amount of calcium they release into their urine. There are some people who form calcium oxalate stones as a result of too much oxalate in the urine, a condition known as hypercalciuria In some cases, too much oxalate in the urine is a result of inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or other times it may be a consequence of prior intestinal surgery. Calcium phosphate stones, another kind of calcium stone, are much less common than calcium oxalate stones. For some people, calcium phosphate stones form as a result of a medical condition known as renal tubular acidosis.
Struvite stones – Some patients form stones that are composed of a mixture of magnesium, ammonium, phosphate and calcium carbonate, which is known as struvite. These stones form as a result of infection with certain types of bacteria that can produce ammonia. Ammonia acts to raise the pH of urine, which makes it alkaline and promotes the formation of struvite.
Uric acid stones – Uric acid is produced when the body metabolizes protein. When the pH of urine drops below 5.5, urine becomes saturated with uric acid crystals, a condition known as hypercalciuria. When there is too much uric acid in the urine, stones can form. Uric acid stones are more common in people who consume large amounts of protein, such as that found in red meat or poultry. People with gout can also form uric acid stones.
Cystine stones – Cystine stones are rare, and they form only in persons with an inherited metabolic disorder that causes high levels of cystine in the urine, a condition known as cystinuria.

Stones may pass out of the kidney, become lodged in the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder (ureter), and cause severe, excrutiating pain that begins in the lower back and radiates to the groin. A lodged stone can block the flow of urine, causing pressure to build in the affected ureter and kidney. Increased pressure results in stretching and spasm, which cause the severe pain.

Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. Each year in the United States, people make more than a million visits to health care providers and more than 300,000 people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems.

Causes

People develop kidney stones because –

Their small bowel absorbs too much calcium
Their diets are too high in calcium or another mineral
They have intestinal problems
Urinary tract infections
They may have inherited a certain disorder that makes their bodies more likely to form kidney stones

Other factors that increase the risk of kidney stones include –

Not drinking enough fluids (especially in the summer)
Not exercising enough, or a sedentary lifestyle
Hypertension, which makes people nearly 3 times more likely to develop kidney stones
Stress
Poor dietary habits
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity
Family history of kidney stones
Continual exposure to high temperatures, which makes people nearly 8 times more likely to form kidney stones
Other medical conditions, such as gout, chronic diarrhea, certain cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Kidney Stones in Children – Kidney stones are found in children as young as 5 years. In fact, this problem is so common in children that some hospitals conduct ‘stone’ clinics for pediatric patients. The increase in the United States has been attributed to several factors, mostly related to food choices. The two most important reasons are not drinking enough fluids and eating foods that are high in salt. Kids should eat less salty potato chips and French fries. There are other salty foods: sandwich meats, canned soups, packaged meals, and even some sports drinks. Sodas and other sweetened beverages can also increase the risk of stones if they contain high fructose corn syrup.

Risk Factors

Anyone can have a kidney stone, but it may be more likely if they –

Are male
Are Caucasian
Are very overweight
Have had kidney infections
Have a family member with kidney stones
Have had kidney stones before
Eat a lot of animal protein (such as meat and eggs)
Do not drink enough liquids

Other conditions and medicines can also put people at greater risk for kidney stones.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of kidney stones are blood in the urine or pain. Pain severity and location of pain might vary depending on such factors as stone location and degree of obstruction. Other symptoms include –

Feeling the need to urinate often
Inability to urinate (when a stone blocks the urinary tract)
Nausea
Vomiting
Cloudy, foul smelling urine, fever, chills, or weakness might be a sign of a serious infection.

Some kidney stones are called “silent stones” because they do not cause symptoms.

Treatment

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy – Ultrasound waves are used to break the kidney stone into smaller pieces, which can pass out with the urine. It is used for stones less than two centimetres in size.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy – A small incision is made in the back and then a special instrument is used to remove the kidney stone.

Endoscope Removal – An instrument is inserted into the urethra, passed into the bladder, then to where the stone is located. It allows the doctor to remove the stone or break it up so it can pass more easily.

Surgery – This requires an incision in the back to access the kidney and ureter to remove the stone.

Medications – The health care provider may prescribe certain medications to help prevent kidney stones based on the type of stone formed or conditions that make a person more prone to form stones –

hyperuricosuria—allopurinol (Zyloprim), which decreases uric acid in the blood and urine
hypercalciuria—diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide
hyperoxaluria—potassium citrate to raise the citrate and pH of urine
uric acid stones—allopurinol and potassium citrate
cystine stones—mercaptopropionyl glycine, which decreases cystine in the urine, and potassium citrate
struvite stones—antibiotics, which are bacteria-fighting medications, when needed to treat infections, or acetohydroxamic acid with long-term antibiotic medications to prevent infection

People with hyperparathyroidism sometimes develop calcium stones.

Self Help –

Eat antioxidant-rich foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers). Low antioxidant intake is associated with stone formation.
Eat more high fiber foods, including beans, oats, root vegetables (such as potatoes and yams), and psyllium seed.
Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and sugar.
Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy is present) or beans for protein. High animal protein intake may cause you to excrete more calcium and uric acid, increasing the risk of stone formation.
Cut down on oxalate containing foods, such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, coffee, black tea, wheat bran, strawberries, and beans.
Include foods rich in magnesium and low in calcium, such as barley, bran, corn, rye, oats, soy, brown rice, avocado, banana, and potato.
Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in such commercially-baked goods as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily. Some experts recommend doubling previous fluid intake after a stone diagnosis.
Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
Reduce sodium and sugar intake, both of which are linked to increased risk of stone formation.

Alternative Treatment

Multivitamin – A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins and trace minerals, such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

Magnesium citrate used for symptoms of kidney stones. In sensitive people, magnesium can cause loose stools or a drop in blood pressure.

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, helps to help reduce inflammation and promote general health. Cold-water fish, such as salmon or halibut, are good sources. Fish oil supplements can increase the effects of certain blood-thinning medications.

Vitamin B6 also commonly referred to as pyridoxine has been found to have exceptional curative success when it comes to curing kidney stones.

IP-6 (Inositol hexophosphonate) taken on an empty stomach, for kidney health.

N-acetyl cysteine, for antioxidant effects.

Probiotic supplement a day, for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. Refrigerate probiotic supplements for best results.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, for antioxidant and immune effects.

Uva Ursi – On top of enabling to combat infections that are triggered with the onset of kidney stones, Uva Ursi also functions in assisting in pain reduction and cleansing of the urinary tract.

Dandelion Root – The dandelion root has been used for years to treat and manage the symptoms associated with kidney stones. In addition to relieving the pain triggered by kidney stones, organic dandelion root functions in cleansing the urinary tract.

Milk thistle for detoxification support.

Grapefruit seed extract for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity.

Reference –

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/urology-kidney/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones-overview

http://bindingofisaacrebirth.gamepedia.com/Kidney_Stone

http://www.healthcommunities.com/kidney-stones/kidney-stones-overview.shtml

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/urologic-disease/kidney-stones-in-adults/Documents/KidneyStonesAdults_508.pdf

http://patient.info/health/kidney-stones

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Kidney-stones/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/symptoms/con-20024829

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154193.php

http://www.kidney.org.au/your-kidneys/detect/kidney-stones/the-causes-437