General Measures Can Help Prevent Recurrence In People Who Have Formed Only One Calcium Stone
Although people believe that high fluid intake will reduce stone formation, a detailed review of the literature found only one reliable trial to support that belief.
This figure from that one trial shows that formation of a new stone was delayed by high water intake in patients who had formed a single stone. After just one stone nearly 30% of people who did not increase their urine volume had formed at least one more by 5 years whereas only 10% of those with a higher fluid intake did so.
As expected urine supersaturation fell with higher volume 2.6 vs. 9.9 and 0.48 vs. 1.58, treated vs. controls, CaOx and CaP SS respectively. A fall of supersaturation would reduce the free energy of crystal formation and that could explain the fall in new stone formation.
But it is hard to do everything with just fluids. The day is long and various. We sleep by night. People forget. Crystals never sleep. Crystals never forget. In a trial, with prompting from nurses, people will maintain a high urine flow, but how about the usual situation? You want fluids. But you also want whatever treatment aims most precisely at the crystals you form. That means you need to know what those crystals are. And to find out what the crystals are the stones must be analysed.
Can A Large Kidney Stone Cause An Injury
Your risk of injury from a kidney stone can go up based on the size and location of the stone. A larger stone could get stuck in a ureter, causing pressure to build up. This can lead to renal failure and, in the worst-case scenario, you could lose your kidney. The chance of passing a 1 cm stone is less than 10%, and stones larger than 1 cm typically dont pass.
Stones Are Crystal Artefacts
In human urine, calcium frequently crystallizes with oxalate and phosphate to produce the common calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones.
Other less common crystals form their own stones: Uric acid, a byproduct of nucleic acid metabolism cystine, an amino acid that the genetic kidney tubule disease called cystinuria may liberate into urine in great excess struvite, a crystal created by bacteria breakdown of urea, a normal urine constituent. Many drugs form crystals.
Because crystals can form independent of one another, many stones contain mixtures of them.
Like volcanic lava, an insect caught in amber, or the vague fossil tracings of some long lost species traced out in an otherwise indifferent rock, the crystals of a stone tell about a particular person with shocking precision and undeniable truth.
To find calcium oxalate crystals means such crystals were indeed once formed by that patient, and the same for all other crystals. Each crystal is a proof of past formation.
But unlike artefacts of a vanished age the proof in stones matters immediately, for in the person who made the stone those very same causes that once made its crystals may well yet operate and pose risk for more.
You might think such artefacts would attract the most intense interest and study. But no stones are often discarded.
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Signs You May Have A Kidney Stone And When To Go To The Er
If you have ever suffered from a kidney stone, you know just how uncomfortable and frustrating these urinary tract stones truly are. In fact, many people consider passing a kidney stone to be among the most painful experiences one can go through. Because the symptoms of a kidney stone often mimic the symptoms of unrelated conditions, however, you may not always realize when you are passing a stone. The dedicated team of board-certified ER physicians and expert staff at iCare ER & Urgent Care in Frisco and Fort Worth, TX are proud to provide rapid evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for kidney stones to help patients feel comfortable again as soon as possible. Learn more about kidney stones here, including what signs and symptoms may mean an urgent visit to your nearest ER is warranted.
How Are Children Treated For Kidney Stones
Most childrens kidney stones can be treated with the shock wave lithotripsy , a completely non-invasive procedure. Your child is placed under anesthesia and sound waves of specific frequencies are focused on the stones to shatter them into fragments small enough to be easily passed during urination.
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Things That Can Help You Take A Pass On Kidney Stones
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch
If youve ever passed a kidney stone, you probably would not wish it on your worst enemy, and youll do anything to avoid it again. “Kidney stones are more common in men than in women, and in about half of people who have had one, kidney stones strike again within 10 to 15 years without preventive measures,” says Dr. Brian Eisner, co-director of the Kidney Stone Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
How Do I Know If I Have A Kidney Stone
It is not always possible to self-diagnose a kidney stone, though certain signs and symptoms may point to the likelihood that you have a stone. Keep in mind, kidney stones may cause virtually no symptoms early on. In fact, many patients are unaware that they have kidney stones until the stones begin to pass. Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with passing a kidney stone include:
- Pain in the back or flank, typically on one side only
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever, chills, or sweating
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you may be attempting to pass a kidney stone. The only way to determine with certainty whether or not you have a stone, where in the urinary tract the stone currently is, and whether it has a high probability of passing on its own is to obtain a diagnosis from a medical professional using imaging studies and other diagnostic tools.
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Let Kidney Stones Pass
Stones typically take several weeks to a few months to pass, depending on the number of stones and their size. Over-the-counter pain medications, like ibuprofen , acetaminophen , or naproxen , can help you endure the discomfort until the stones pass. Your doctor also may prescribe an alpha blocker, which relaxes the muscles in your ureter and helps pass stones quicker and with less pain.
If the pain becomes too severe, or if they are too large to pass, they can be surgically removed with a procedure called a ureteroscopy. Here, a small endoscope is passed into the bladder and up the ureter while you are under general anesthesia. A laser breaks up the stones, and then the fragments are removed.
How Successful Are These Treatments
In short dubious at best. There have been many reports of people using these natural methods, but the efficacy is unsubstantiated. Some people report success, but none of these treatments are based in scientific fact. For every anecdotal success story posted online, there are hundreds more stories of failures . So, what natural remedies DO work?
4. Lab Grade Chanca Piedra
Lab grade chanca piedra has shown high rates of success in kidney stone treatment. This herbal remedy breaks down and prevents the development of new kidney stones. The clinical benefits of all-natural Chanca Piedra are related to ureteral relaxation and to a putative reduction of the excretion of urinary crystallization promoters such as calcium. It first grabbed the attention of the scientific community in a 2002 study on rodents which demonstrated it slowed or halted kidney stone growth. Further studies indicated lab grade Chanca Piedra actually interferes with the process that would normally cause stones to form.
Professor Dr. Nestor Schor speaking about his research on lab grade Chanca Piedra:
Treatment with Phyllanthus niruri strongly inhibited the growth of the stones and reduced the number of stones
These results show that Phyllanthus niruri has an inhibitory effect on crystal growth
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A patient story, myths debunked, and stone-sized video content.
- fever and chills
- urine that smells bad or looks cloudy
The kidney stone starts to hurt when it causes irritation or blockage. This builds rapidly to extreme pain. In most cases, kidney stones pass without causing damage-but usually not without causing a lot of pain. Pain relievers may be the only treatment needed for small stones. Other treatment may be needed, especially for those stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications. In severe cases, however, surgery may be required.
Signs That Indicate You Have Passed The Kidney Stone
When a kidney stone starts to pass, symptoms typically occur suddenly and without any warning. That being said, a common sign is a pain that initially develops in your side or back. Typically in the flank or lumbar region and shoots into the groin. Sometimes, the pain will travel downward into the genital area, poorly controlled by the pain relief, and stops and starts abruptly.
Some patients may see blood in their urine, for others, the blood is not visible through naked eyes. Though a large stone may not pass on its own and may require special procedures to remove it.
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How Are They Treated
For most stones, your doctor will suggest that you take care of yourself at home. You may need to take pain medicine. You’ll need to drink enough water and other fluids so you don’t get dehydrated. Your doctor may give you a medicine to help the stone pass.
If a stone is too large to pass on its own, or if it gets stuck in the urinary tract, you may need more treatment.
The most common treatment is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy . ESWL uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into small pieces. The bits can pass out of your body in your urine. Other times, a doctor will need to remove the stone or place a small flexible plastic tube in the ureter to keep it open while stones pass.
Should I Cut Calcium Out Of My Diet If I Develop Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones
If you develop kidney stones composed of calcium, you may be tempted to stop eating foods that include calcium. However, this is the opposite of what you should do. If you have calcium oxalate stones, the most common type, its recommended that you have a diet higher in calcium and lower in oxalate.
Foods that are high in calcium include:
- Cows milk.
Its also important to drink plenty of fluids to dilute the substances in your urine.
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Ultramarathons And Kidney Failure
The niche world of ultramarathons, in which competitors cover distances up to and even in excess of 100 miles, is fraught with a range of physiologic hazards that rarely if ever appear in races lasting less than a few hours. Kidney failure is a well-documented consequence of rhabdomyolysis, a widespread breakdown of skeletal muscle. Because of the extremely high demands of running very long distances, rhabdomyolysis is common in ultramarathon runners. If you have been running for many hours, are experiencing flank pain, and are passing sparse reddish-brown or otherwise dark urine despite remaining well hydrated, stop and seek medical help 1. Hot weather and the use of anti-inflammatories increase your chances of harming your kidneys under these conditions.
- The niche world of ultramarathons, in which competitors cover distances up to and even in excess of 100 miles, is fraught with a range of physiologic hazards that rarely if ever appear in races lasting less than a few hours.
Causes Of Kidney Stones
The most common cause of kidney stones isdehydration. Youre not drinking enough water to dilute the concentration of minerals in your urine . Recommended water consumption is about two liters or half a gallon of water a day.
Water is the best fluid to drink in order to prevent kidney stones, Dr. Abromowitz explains. But water from a well is very high in solutes, which increases your chance of kidney stones. So i f you’re drinking well water, you ought to have a purification system on it. Every year I see patients who develop a kidney stone for this reason.
Other kidney stone risk factors include:
- Too little or too much exercise
- Being overweight
- Eating food with excess salt, sugar, and animal protein
- Weight loss surgery
- Kidney infections. Infections increase the risk of kidney stones by slowing urine flow or changing the acid balance of urine.
- Family history of kidney stones
- Some drugs used to treat AIDS, seizures, and migraines can cause kidney stones.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How can I tell the difference between bladder stones and kidney stones?
- Are bladder stones a risk factor for bladder cancer?
- Can I treat of the pain of bladder stones with over-the-counter medicine?
- If I have bladder stones once, am I more likely to get them again?
- Are bladder stones hereditary?
- Are bladder stones more difficult for pregnant people?
Tips To Exercising With Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are an unfortunate reality for more than 2 million Americans, but many of us still dont know how to go about normal routines while passing one. When it comes to exercising with stones, there are right and wrong ways to go about your workout. These are the four basic principles to keep in mind to maintain optimal health:
While light cardio is generally a safe option, you may need to get your urologists approval if this is your first time living with a stone. Just like consulting your doctor before beginning a new exercise program is a good idea, it is also a good idea to consult your urologist when working out with a new kidney stone to make sure your particular case is safe. If youd like to set up a consultation, or if you think you may have a kidney stone, call us today at 1-877-321-8452.
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Effective Exercises To Pass Kidney Stones From Your Body
For faster relief from kidney stones, mild exercises are a must. Just remember that it is not the intensity of the exercise that matters, it is the quality and quantity of exercise that does.
As such there are no particular exercises recommended for kidney stones. As long as you exercise on a routine basis, you are good to go. You can jog for 30 minutes, or take a 30-minute stroll, or do a little cardio.
Aquatic exercises and aerobics can also work wonders in the condition of kidney stones. These exercises improve the functioning of the kidneys and help to keep the kidneys healthy.
Moderate low-intensity exercises also increase blood circulation to the kidney. Exercising regularly aids the detoxification of the body and improves the process of filtering. The better the filtering process, the more urea will be flushed out of the body. Better circulation of blood also prevents salts and minerals from sticking to the existing stones.
In addition to preventing the enlargement of stones, exercising can also speed up the passage of small to medium-sized stones. In some cases, the stones do not move around in the urinary tract and just stay in one place. It is difficult to pass such stones naturally through the urine. Exercises can act as a facilitator in such cases. Exercising aids the movement of such stones so that they can be flushed out along with the urine.
Tips To Remember If You Want To Pass Kidney Stones With Ease
- Limit the intake of salt and sugar as these can aggravate the condition.
- Avoid junk, processed, and preserved foods as these can lead to constipation and trigger the symptoms even more.
- Avoid excessive animal-based protein and switch to plant-based protein.
- Cut back on the consumption of caffeine and colas
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Does Masturbation Have A Bad Effect On Kidney
There are many myths about masturbation circulating these days. Thanks to the all-mighty internet, while some of these are circumlocutory, others were found to be misleading. A lot of people are raising doubt about the effect of masturabtion on kidneys. Some say masturbation has a devastating effect on kidneys, while others deny the judgment. Lets then quickly know the facts and burst the myth ballon
There is a pair of kidneys located on both sides of your spine. The kidneys main function is to purify the blood and pass the waste through a tube-like structure called the urethra. When in intercourse or masturbation, the base of the bladder closes, cutting off the connection. This ensures no urine flow or any interference. Thus not affect the kidney. It keeps functioning in a usual manner.
Medicine To Prevent Stones
Which medicine you take depends on the type of stones you have.
Calcium stones
- Thiazides.
Uric acid stones
Some kidney stones are made of uric acid, a waste product that normally exits the body in the urine. To prevent these types of stones, you may take:
- Allopurinol.
- Sodium bicarbonate.
Cystine stones
A very small number of stones are made of a chemical called cystine. Medicines to prevent them include:
- Penicillamine.
- Captopril.
Struvite stones
Some struvite stones form because of frequent kidney infections. If you have a struvite stone, you will most likely need antibiotics to cure the infection and help prevent new stones from forming. You may need surgery to remove the stone.
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Kidney Stones Are Mostly Removed By Surgery But There Are Many Who Do Not Want To Come Under The Knife There Are Some Natural Ways And Effective Ways To Remove These Painful Stones From Your System
Written by Kristina Das | Updated : December 20, 2018 7:12 PM IST
Blood in urine, severe abdominal pain that radiates to the lower back, frequent urination are some of the symptoms of kidney stones. They can lead to severe urination problems accompanied by nausea, weight loss, fever, and acute pain in the lower abdominal region.
What are the causes of kidney stones?
Lack of water in our body can lead to the formation of kidney stones. These stones can either be as huge as a golf ball or pea-sized. They have a crystalline structure and are usually made of calcium oxalate and some other compounds. The stones in the kidneys are mostly removed by surgery. But there are some natural and effective remedies to remove the kidney stones from your body.