Kidney Stones

I chose kidney stones to discuss because I have a family history of stones. My grandfather had a very large stag horn and my mom has had several stones that she was able to pass over the years. Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without any intervention by a physician. Research advances have led to a better understanding of the many factors that promote stone formation and there are better treatments for preventing stones. A kidney stone is a hard mass that is developed from crystals. Kidney stones contain various combinations of chemicals. The most common type of stone contains calcium. Doctors are not sure what cause a stone to form but certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are more susceptible such as a person with a family history of kidney stones. Urinary tract infections and certain kidney disorders like cystic kidney diseases, and hyperparathyroidism are linked to stone formation. In addition, more than 70 percent of people with a rare hereditary disease called renal tubular acidosis develop kidney stones. Sometimes a stone can be found on x-ray, ultrasound or cat scan. Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms until the stone begins to move within the kidney system. Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain sharp, cramping pain in the back or side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen accompanied with nausea and vomiting. If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain occurs as the muscles in the ureters continue to contract in hopes of expelling the foreign object. As the stone moves through muscles contractions, blood may appear in the urine and urination may increase with a burning sensation. Sometimes physicians recommend changing the diet such as less calcium and definitely increase of fluids

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/