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What Causes Kidney Stones In Women

Kidney Stone Symptoms: Pain Pain And More Pain

Doctors Seeing a Growing Trend of Kidney Stones in Women

While some small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract and out of your body without being noticed, others have tell-tale signs, most notably: pain.

Symptoms are similar regardless of gender, and include pain in your back or sides, radiating pain into the groin, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine and fever. The presence of stones in the kidney can also lead to chronic UTIs, so if this is something in your own history, its a good idea to bring it up to your doctor.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Kidney Stones

The most common causes of kidney stones include a hereditary tendency toward forming them, excessive buildup of calcium, a side effect of urinary tract infections, and a response to too much acid in the urine. Each type of kidney stone, calcium, uric acid, struvite, and cystine, have a different cause. It may be possible to reduce the chances of a recurrence of kidney stones by understanding the causes of kidney stones and the reason for the initial condition.

Calcium stones are the most frequent variety of kidney stone. They develop as a result of an excess of calcium in the body. This calcium surplus it is sometimes not completely flushed from the kidneys into the urine. The calcium that remains behind then combines with other waste products to form a stone.

Struvite kidney stones are caused by infection. The are the only type of stone that is not brought about by a metabolism disorder. They form when magnesium and ammonia accumulate in the kidneys. They most often develop after a urinary tract infection, and are especially common in women.

Uric acid kidney stones form when the normal urine excretion process fails to remove enough uric acid. This means that the uric acid in the blood becomes too concentrated, resulting in the formation of stones. This condition is generally associated with the disease known as gout.

Types Of Kidney Stones

The different types of stones are made of different types of substances. It’s important to know the type of stone you have, so you can know what may have caused it and how to prevent it.

If you pass a kidney stone, you should take it to your doctor so they can send it to the lab and find out what kind it is:

  • Calcium stones. Most kidney stones are made from calcium, in the form of calcium oxalate. There are two kinds of calcium stones:

  • Calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a substance made daily by your liver. Some fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, are high in it. Your body absorbs the substance when you eat these foods. Other things that can make the concentration of calcium or oxalate in your urine to rise are taking high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and certain metabolic disorders.

  • Calcium phosphate. This type of stone happens more often in people with metabolic conditions, like renal tubular acidosis or with people who take medications to treat migraines or seizures.

  • Struvite stones. These can form from a urinary tract infection . The bacteria that cause the infection make ammonia build up in your urine. This leads to formation of the stones. The stones can get large very quickly.

  • Uric acid stones. These form in people who lose too much fluid because of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption eating a high-protein diet or having diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Certain genetic factors also may increase your risk of uric acid stones.

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    What Factors Increase Women’s Risk Of Kidney Stones

    Why is the incidence of kidney stones increasing in women? Well, the risk for stones include obesity, high-salt diet, increased sugar in the diet, and diabetes. All these risks have increased for women over the past 30 years. Some recent studies looked at the risks for kidney stones in women. 82,000 post-menopausal women were followed in the women’s health initiative study. Women who didn’t get stones had the highest intake of fiber, fruits and vegetables and lower sugar intake.

    Unfortunately, women who’ve already had stones didn’t seem to lower their risk of getting them by having a diet high in fiber, fruits and vegetables. So once you’re a stone former you’re kind of stuck, or the stone is stuck. Another study of many thousands of women showed that a diet high in calcium was a little bit of a risk but taking calcium supplements wasn’t.

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    Identifying What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones and ...

    Larger stones can be broken up into smaller pieces with a device that passes energy waves into the body directly at the stone, Norouzi says.

    Here’s the thing: the symptoms of kidney stones in women can be easily confused with symptoms of a urinary tract infection or even appendicitis, Clayman says.

    Clearly, the treatments are very different, which is why its so important to be aware of these major symptoms.

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    When To See A Doctor

    Most cases of left-sided abdominal pain will improve within 2 to 3 days, especially when the pain is caused by mild conditions like excess gas or constipation.

    However, you should seek medical help when:

    • Pain is very intense or appears suddenly
    • Other symptoms emerge such as high fever, bloody stool, intense vomiting, or yellowish skin
    • Symptoms do not improve after two days
    • There’s unexplained weight loss.

    Who Gets Kidney Stones And Why

    The lifetime risk of kidney stones among adults in the US is approximately 9%, and it appears that global warming may be increasing that risk. There are four major types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate/calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite , and cystine.

    A risk factor for all stones, regardless of type, is dehydration. Anyone who is prone to kidney stones should pay attention to good hydration. A randomized trial has shown that drinking 2 liters of fluid a day reduces the likelihood of stone recurrence by about half. The American Urological Association guideline for medical management of kidney stones recommends that patients who form kidney stones should aim to drink more than 2.5 liters of fluid per day.

    Anyone with symptoms of kidney stones should be referred to a urologist. The initial evaluation will often include blood, urine, and imaging studies. Decisions about testing, and ultimately treatment, should be made jointly by the physician and the patient. Lets look at specific risk factors and treatment for each of the major stone types.

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    Treating Kidney Stone In Women

    No invasive treatment is usually required to deal with kidney stones in women. These stones often pass through your urinary tract within 48 hours or so. It is important, however, to drink enough fluid to make those stones pass with ease. Drinking up to 2.8 liters of water a day will really help flush out your urinary system and eliminate any stones as well.

    You may sometimes require medications to deal with your kidney stones. Ketorolac is usually the best choice. This injectable anti-inflammatory drug works amazingly to control pain â your doctor may recommend it when OTC pain-relieving medications don’t work. You need to avoid aspirin, Ketorolac, and NSAIDs if you’re going for lithotripsy because these medications increase the risk of excessive bleeding. You may require intravenous pain medications when you also have vomiting and nausea.

    You may have to undergo a surgical procedure when the kidney stones are too large and cannot pass through your urinary system on their own. Your doctor may choose from a variety of procedures to deal with your kidney stones. For instance:

    If you believe in natural ways, you can watch the video below to learn some.

    What Are Kidney Stones Made Of

    Kidney Stones: Management, Treatment and Prevention Video – Brigham and Women’s Hospital

    Most kidney stones are made of calcium and oxalate, but some stones are made from a combination of other materials, like uric acid, phosphate, cystine, ammonia and xanthine.

    These are the several different types of kidney stones, which can affect how kidney stones are formed and what theyre made of:

    • Calcium Oxalate Stones
    • Calcium Phosphate Stones
    • Uric Acid Stones
    • Struvite Stones
    • Cystine Stones
    • Xanthine Stones
    • Other Stones

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    Dietary Calcium And Kidney Stones

    Only lower your calcium intake below that of a normal diet if instructed by your doctor. Decreased calcium intake is only necessary in some cases where absorption of calcium from the bowel is high.

    A low-calcium diet has not been shown to be useful in preventing the recurrence of kidney stones and may worsen the problem of weak bones. People with calcium-containing stones may be at greater risk of developing weak bones and osteoporosis. Discuss this risk with your doctor.

    Treatment For Kidney Stones

    Most kidney stones can be treated without surgery. Ninety per cent of stones pass by themselves within three to six weeks. In this situation, the only treatment required is pain relief. However, pain can be so severe that hospital admission and very strong pain-relieving medication may be needed. Always seek immediate medical attention if you are suffering strong pain.

    Small stones in the kidney do not usually cause problems, so there is often no need to remove them. A doctor specialising in the treatment of kidney stones is the best person to advise you on treatment.

    If a stone doesnt pass and blocks urine flow or causes bleeding or an infection, then it may need to be removed. New surgical techniques have reduced hospital stay time to as little as 48 hours. Treatments include:

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    Ways Your Diet Can Help Prevent Kidney Stones

    So you want to avoid being the one in 12 women who will get kidney stones in their lifetime, what should you do?

  • Avoid a high-salt diet, processed foods, canned foods, cheeses, bottled salad dressings, high-salt snack foods and baked goods. Avoiding these are all part of a healthy diet anyway and the rise of these foods in our diet has been associated with the obesity epidemic.
  • Eat your fiber, eat your fruits and veggies without salt.
  • Make sure you drink enough water. Getting dehydrated or lower fluid intake is a risk for stone formation.
  • The calcium story is mixed. Some studies suggest that increased calcium increases the risk, some show that it doesn’t. Don’t restrict your calcium but don’t get too much because some sources of calcium like cheese are high in sodium.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a risk but maybe it’s the foods that are associated with obesity that we already mentioned.
  • If you’ve had a stone, talk to your doctor about what kind of stone you made. What minerals were the crystals made of and what should you do to decrease your risk of recurrence. In the interest of full disclosure and as I am disclosing it, isn’t a HIPAA violation. I’m a middle-aged, chubby, pizza-loving woman who is one of the one in 12. And having a kidney stone certainly got my attention, I was very impressed.

    Treating Kidney Stones In Women

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    Usually, no invasive treatment is required to treat kidney stones in women. These stones often pass through the urinary tract within 48 hours or so. However, it is important to drink enough liquid so that the stone can pass easily. Drinking up to 2.8 liters of water a day will greatly help cleanse the urinary system and shed stones as well.

    Sometimes you need medication to cope with kidney stones. Ketorolac is usually the best choice. Injectable anti-inflammatory drugs have a remarkable effect on pain control. Your doctor may recommend it when over-the-counter painkillers dont work.

    You need to avoid aspirin, ketorolac, and NSAIDs if going through lithotripsy, as these drugs increase the risk of excessive bleeding. You may need intravenous painkillers when experiencing vomiting and nausea.

    You should undergo surgery when the kidney stones are too large and cannot pass through the urinary system. Your doctor can choose from a variety of procedures to treat your kidney stones. For example:

    In addition to kidney stones, another disease that can attack the kidney organs is cysts. this is common especially for people aged 50 years and above. Not only that, but kidney cysts can also appear in people with diabetes. Learn more about kidney cysts in Cysts in Kidney When to Be Concerned: Diagnosis and Treatment

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    Why Do Doctors Examine The Contents Of The Stone

    There are four types of stones. Studying the stone can help understand why you have it and how to reduce the risk of further stones. The most common type of stone contains calcium. Calcium is a normal part of a healthy diet. The kidney usually removes extra calcium that the body doesn’t need. Often people with stones keep too much calcium. This calcium combines with waste products like oxalate to form a stone. The most common combination is called calcium oxalate.

    Less common types of stones are: Infection-related stones, containing magnesium and ammonia called struvite stones and stones formed from monosodium urate crystals, called uric acid stones, which might be related to obesity and dietary factors. The rarest type of stone is a cvstine stone that tends to run in families.

    Diagnosis Of Kidney Stones

    Many kidney stones are discovered by chance during examinations for other conditions. Urine and blood tests can help with finding out the cause of the stone. Further tests may include:

    • ultrasound
    • CT scans
    • x-rays, including an intravenous pyelogram , where dye is injected into the bloodstream before the x-rays are taken.

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    Causes Kidney Stones In Women: Symptoms Diagnosis Causes And Treatment

    Most women dont know that they have kidney stones until they experience pain. You should look for certain symptoms in women to take appropriate steps in time. You can learn about Causes Kidney Stones In Women: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes, and Treatment.

    Kidney stones usually do not cause problems as long as they settle on the kidneys. But you may experience severe pain when these stones move through the urinary tract, which usually includes the urethra or ureter. Learn more about what are the early signs of the appearance of kidney stones, food causes, to features.

    Kidney stones are hard objects such as pebbles that can form inside the kidneys. These kidney stones are formed from minerals and salts. Youve probably heard doctors call it kidney stones, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis.

    Kidney stones are small, usually as big as corn kernels or a grain of salt. They can form when your body has too many certain minerals, and at the same time does not have enough fluids. Stones can be brown or yellow, smooth or coarse.

    Calcium Oxalate And Calcium Phosphate Stones

    Kidney Stones Symptoms in Women – Sucsess Story

    Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stones, and can be either calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. As mentioned, good hydration is important to prevent calcium stones. It may be surprising, but results of a randomized clinical trial show that people with calcium kidney stones should not cut back on dietary calcium. In fact, they should consume the recommended daily allowance of calcium . Why? Calcium binds to oxalate in the intestine and prevents its absorption through the gut, so there is less in the urine to form stones. Ideally, calcium should come from food. Talk with your doctor before taking calcium supplements, and increasing fluid intake might be beneficial depending on how much calcium you take.

    Foods high in oxalates can increase the amount of oxalate in the urine. Consume these in moderation.

    Calcium phosphate stones are less common than calcium oxalate stones. Causes include hyperparathyroidism , renal tubular acidosis , and urinary tract infections. It is important to understand if one of these conditions is behind the formation of calcium phosphate stones.

    Good hydration can help prevent recurrence of calcium stones. In addition, thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide can help the kidney absorb more calcium, leaving less of it in the urine where it can form stones. Potassium citrate is another medication that can bind to calcium and help keep calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate in the urine from forming into stones.

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    Are Home Remedies Effective For Kidney Stones

    For some people who have had many kidney stones, home care may be appropriate. When passing a kidney stone, drinking lots of fluid is important. In fact, this is the most important home care measure. Medications may help control the pain . However, if it is the first time one has had symptoms suggestive of a kidney stone, it is important to see a doctor right away.

    Duration Of Kidney Stones

    A kidney stone often goes unnoticed until it starts to pass into your ureters. Once this happens, symptoms typically appear without warning. Youll likely feel sharp, stabbing pain at the bottom of your ribcage, though the pain can shift into the genital area as well.

    The pain from kidney stones often comes in waves, and you may feel better for a few hours before the pain comes back.

    Depending on the size of the stone, it can take up to six weeks to pass . Small stones may take only a few days to a week to pass. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications to help you manage the pain during this time.

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    What Are Kidney Stones And How Do They Form

    Dr. Chang says kidney stones can be small or large, smooth or jagged. Although some are tiny enough to pass with little or no pain, others get lodged in the kidneys or elsewhere in the urinary tract, disrupting the flow of urine like a clogged pipe. Thats what causes pain.

    The problem is obstruction of urine, Dr. Chang explains. That can lead to infectionsthe urine becomes stagnant and static, and doesnt drain welland can cause the kidney to swell, which is a large component of the pain.

    As for the stones themselves, theyre nothing more than hard deposits comprising excess minerals and saltscalcium and oxalate, for examplethat accrue inside the kidneys instead of being flushed out with urine.

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