A kidney stone is a tiny, hard object that resembles a rock that develops on the kidney’s inner walls. It is a typical ailment that often lasts for a brief time. Fortunately, it can be treated and typically doesn’t cause any lasting harm.
A kidney stone is what?
Kidney stones, also known as urolithiasis, are microscopic, hard deposits formed of salts and minerals like calcium. Over time, these minerals and salts accumulate on the kidney’s walls and harden into kidney stones that either stay in the kidney or pass through urine. These stones can be extremely unpleasant to pass.
What are the types of kidney stones?
Calcium crystals. These types of kidney stones are the most common. Calcium oxalate makes up calcium stones. Your urine may have higher levels of calcium and oxalate as a result of dietary variables, certain conditions, and intestinal bypass surgery. Calcium phosphate may occasionally be present in calcium stones. This typically happens as a result of certain drugs and metabolic conditions.
Stones of struvite.
The most common cause of struvite stones is a urinary tract infection. These stones have the potential to grow quickly, frequently with little to no warning.
stone crystals. This kind of kidney stone is more likely to occur in people who have the inherited condition cystinuria. Cystinuria is a medical disorder when the kidneys secrete too much of a certain amino acid.
Urate crystals.
What are the symptoms of kidney stones?
Kidney stones, especially small ones, usually go unnoticed until they move around in your kidney or pass into your ureters. If they lodge in the ureters, it may block the urine flow, causing your ureter to spasm and your kidney to swell. Following such developments, you may experience these symptoms:
Sharp and intense pain in your side and back
Pain that radiates to your abdomen and groin
Perspiration
Pain under your ribs
Pain that comes in waves
Pain that varies in intensity
Pain or a burning sensation when you urinate
Pink, brown, or red urine
Hematuria (blood in your urine)
Cloudy urine