![](images/KIDSTO_BANNER.gif)
What are the Kidneys ?
| How does the urinary system work ? |
What is a
kidney stone ?
Who is affected by kidney stones ? | What causes
kidney stones to form ?
What are the symptoms of kidney stones ? | How are kidney
stones diagnosed ?
How are kidney stones treated ? |
How can you help
prevent the formation of kidney stones ?
![](images/kidney1.gif)
The kidneys are the master chemists of the body. Normally,
there are two of them, one on either side of the spine under the lower
ribs. They are reddish brown in colour and shaped like kidney beans. Each
kidney is about the size of your clenched fist.
![](images/kidney2.gif)
The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, the ureters,
the bladder, and the urethra. Each plays an important role in helping your
body to eliminate waste products in the form of urine. The main job of the
kidneys is to remove wastes from the blood and return the cleaned blood
back to the body. The ureters carry the waste products, as urine, from the
kidneys to the bladder. Urine is stored in the bladder until you urinate.
It passes out of the body through a tube called the urethra.
THE
URINARY SYSTEM
![THE URINARY SYSTEM](images/kidney3.gif)
![](images/kidney4.gif)
A kidney stone can develop when certain chemicals in your
urine form crystals that stick together. The crystals may grow into a
stone ranging in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Small stones
can pass through the urinary system without causing problems. However,
larger stones might block the flow of urine or irritate the lining of the
urinary tract. Most stones form in the kidney. Some travel to the ureter or bladder.
Most stones (70 to 80 percent) contain mainly calcium oxalate crystals. A
smaller number are uric acid stones or cystine stones.
![](images/kidney5.gif)
One out of ten Canadians will have a kidney stone at some
point in their life. Kidney stones occur much more commonly in men than in
women. They tend to affect people in middle age, and occur more frequently
hot climates.
![](images/kidney6.gif)
Normally, urine contains chemicals which prevent crystals
from forming. However, some people seem to be more prone to kidney stones
than others.
If you are prone to kidney stones, there are several factors which
contribute to their formation:
·
Recurrent urinary tract infections
·
Drinking too little fluid
·
Blockage of the urinary tract
·
Limited activity for several weeks or more
·
Consuming too much calcium oxalate or uric acid in your diet
·
Consuming too much Vitamin C or D
·
Certain medications
·
Certain metabolic diseases
Sometimes, stones can also develop if you have a persistent kidney
infection.
·
Severe pain that usually starts suddenly in the small of the back
under the ribs or in the lower abdomen, and which may move to the groin;
the pain may last for minutes or hours, followed by periods of relief.
·
Blood in the urine
·
Nausea and vomiting
If you have a urinary tract infection, you may also experience:
·
Burning during urination and the urge to urinate frequently
·
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
·
Fever, chills and weakness
![](images/kidney8.gif)
Kidney stones are diagnosed by a complete medical
examination, X-rays and other tests. Your doctor will start by giving you
a physical examination and asking you questions about past kidney illness,
your diet, use of medications, your lifestyle and family background. An X-ray of the kidneys, ureters and bladder can reveal the presence of
most stones. Sometimes, stones which are less common can be seen using dye
injections or an ultrasound test. Blood and urine tests may be needed to find out what is causing the stones
to form.
![](images/kidney9.gif)
Most
small stones pass through your body by themselves within hours or a few
days. To help this process, your doctor will advise you to drink a lot of
fluids and follow a special diet.
Medication may also be prescribed. Certain types of stones can be
dissolved using medication. However, the most common stones (those
containing calcium) cannot be dissolved.
Stones that do not pass by themselves are treated with Extra-corporeal
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). This treatment is a non-surgical technique
which uses high energy shock waves to break the stones into small
fragments (about the size of grains of sand). You can then pass them when
you urinate during the next few weeks. This treatment is successfully used
in many cases where the stones are less than two centimetres in size.
When stones are larger than two centimetres, a surgical procedure is often
needed.
The stones that you pass at home and those which are surgically removed
should be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
![](images/kidney10.gif)
Kidney stones recur in about 50 percent of cases. There are
steps you can take, in consultation with your doctor and a dietitian, to
help prevent this from happening to you.
·
Drink a glass of water every hour during the day and whenever you
get up at night. Be sure to drink plenty after meals and exercise.
·
If you have calcium oxalate stones, do not consume very large
amounts of dairy products or foods high in oxalate content (such as tea or
chocolate). Do not take very large doses of Vitamin C (4 grams or more
daily) and avoid heavy use of antacids.
·
If you have uric acid stones, cut down on the amount of red meat
you eat.
Mail us for more information and
details
|