In today’s changing environmental conditions, there seems to be a great increase in the number of people diagnosed with kidney stones, regardless of age and gender. While these stones are commonly seen in both men and women, men are more prone to develop these stones. The size of these stones varies from person to person and it is very important to diagnose them at an early stage in order to treat them in an effective manner.
What are kidney Stones?
Kidney stones, comprising of calcium carbonate, are the result of dissolved minerals in the inner lining of the kidney. The structure and size of these stones depends on the concentration of calcium carbonate and mostly resemble a crystalline format and can grow up to a size of a golf ball. You might experience a great pain when these stones exit your body. If these stones reside inside the body, they block the ureter, resulting in a severe pain. Patients suffering with a kidney stone are prone to kidney diseases in the near future.
Causes of Kidney Stones
Decreasing water levels in your body can be the major cause for the formation of stones in the kidney. Every person, in normal situations, is expected to drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. Water, an essential commodity for human body, dilutes uric acid and maintains its pH value at the right level. Decrease in water intake decreases pH levels and thereby increases acidity in uric acid which in turn creates stones inside the kidney. Urinary tract infections, renal and medullar sponge issues are some other causes for the formation of these stones. People suffering with these stones experience great pain in the groin. Vomiting, nausea, fever with chills and painful urination are some of the symptoms seen with these patients.
Treatment for kidney stones
There are different ways to identify a stone inside the kidney. These stones can be diagnosed by physically checking the groin area. It is recommended to go for a urine test so that the blood levels in urine can be determined. If there are any other complications involved, they can be identified during the blood test. A home remedy can easily resolve this issue. Else, it is recommended to contact a doctor who can start hydration and anti inflammatory treatment. Shockwave treatment, lithotripsy, is one method wherein these stones are broken into smaller pieces for an easy exit. The last stage involves removing those stones using surgical procedures.