Causes Of Kidney Stones
The waste products in the blood can occasionally form crystals. These crystals collect inside the kidneys. Over time, the crystals may build up to form a hard stone-like lump.
This is more likely to happen if you:
- don’t drink enough fluids
- are taking some types of medication
- have a medical condition that raises the levels of certain substances in your urine
After a kidney stone has formed, your body will try to pass it out when you go to the toilet . This means it will often travel through the urinary system .
Get Rapid Relief From Kidney Stones At Your Nearest Emergency Room In Frisco Or Fort Worth Tx
The pain and frustration of kidney stones can be debilitating and wreak havoc on a persons everyday life. Not only that, but some kidney stones can cause dangerous complications when left untreated. Dont sacrifice your comfort, health, and safety when it comes to kidney stones. If you suspect you may be passing a kidney stone or have previously been diagnosed with kidney stones that are now causing you painful or worrisome symptoms, visit your nearest iCare ER & Urgent Care location in Frisco or Fort Worth, TX today. Our exceptional and compassionate team of board-certified emergency physicians looks forward to giving you the relief and confidence you deserve.
What Is A Kidney Stone
Kidney stones are a type of crystal that is formed by substances in urine. Kidney stones can cause pain, infection and even kidney damage. When a kidney stone forms, it may travel from the kidney down one of the ureters thin tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
The stones start small, but can grow large enough to fill the entire kidney if not detected early. Kidney stones are very common among both men and women, but children can also get them, although it is rare. Stones are especially common in southern states, like Texas, that have prolonged, warmer climates.
If you are experiencing pain and suspect that the source may be a kidney stone, please read the symptom checker below to decide your next step.
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How Do I Know If I Have A Uti Or A Kidney Infection
It may feel like all urinary tract infections are the same they all feel pretty uncomfortable! But a UTI can occur anywhere within your urinary system and its important to know what to look for in case it travels to your kidneys. Read on to learn more about UTIs and Kidney Infections, and how to tell the difference between them.
If You Think You Have A Kidney Stone
If you have been diagnosed with a kidney stone, please call 362-8200 to schedule an appointment for evaluation and treatment we will do our best to make sure you are seen promptly. You may be directed to the emergency department if you are experiencing intractable nausea, vomiting, pain or fever so that urgent treatment can be given.
We have a very limited number of same-day appointments therefore, it is likely that you will be directed to the emergency department for rapid evaluation. There, they will obtain scans and labs that will help confirm the diagnosis of kidney stones. From that information, we can make an informed decision about your treatment.
If you have recently passed a stone, you should have close follow-up with a urologist. Our team of stone experts can accommodate you at any of our clinic locations.
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Do Some Medicines Make Kidney Stones More Likely
Taking certain medicines can make you more prone to making kidney stones. Examples include:
- Some chemotherapy medicines for cancer
- Some medicines used to treat HIV
However, many people safely take these medicines without developing kidney stones. If you think that a medicine you are taking is the cause of your kidney stone, you should not stop taking the medicine but discuss it with your doctor.
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What Are Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard collections of salt and minerals often made up of calcium or uric acid. They form inside the kidney and can travel to other parts of the urinary tract.
Stones vary in size. Some are as small as the period at the end of this sentence a fraction of an inch. Others can grow to a few inches across. Some kidney stones can become so large they take up the entire kidney.
A kidney stone forms when too much of certain minerals in your body accumulate in your urine. When you arent well hydrated, your urine becomes more concentrated with higher levels of certain minerals. When mineral levels are higher, its more likely that a kidney stone will form.
About 1 out of every 11 people in the United States will get a kidney stone. Stones are more common in men, people who are obese, and those who have diabetes .
Smaller kidney stones that remain in the kidney often dont cause any symptoms. You might not notice anything is amiss until the stone moves into your ureter the tube that urine travels through to get from your kidney to your bladder.
Kidney stones are typically very painful. Most stones will pass on their own without treatment. However, you may need a procedure to break up or remove stones that dont pass.
Here are eight signs and symptoms that you may have kidney stones.
2 ). Some people whove experienced kidney stones compare the pain to childbirth or getting stabbed with a knife.
4 ). Your doctor might call this dysuria.
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Treatment Of Renal Anemia
Androgens started to be used to treat anemia of end-stage renal disease in 1970, and before the advent of recombinant human erythropoietin, they were a mainstay of nontransfusional therapy for anemic patients on dialysis.
The approval of recombinant human erythropoietin in 1989 drastically shifted the treatment of renal anemia. While the initial goal of treating anemia of chronic kidney disease with erythropoietin was to prevent blood transfusions, subsequent studies showed that the benefits might be far greater. Indeed, an initial observational trial showed that erythropoiesis- stimulating agents were associated with improved quality of life, improved neurocognitive function, and even cost savings. The benefits also extended to major outcomes such as regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, improvement in New York Heart Association class and cardiac function, fewer hospitalizations and even reduction of cardiovascular mortality rates.
As a result, ESA use gained popularity, and by 2006 an estimated 90 percent of dialysis patients were receiving these agents. The target and achieved hemoglobin levels also increased, with mean hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis patients being raised from 9.7 to 12 g/dL.
Disappointing results in clinical trials of ESAs to normalize hemoglobin
To prospectively study the effects of normalized hemoglobin targets, four randomized controlled trials were conducted :
General approach to therapy
Target iron levels
When To See A Gp
See a GP if you feel feverish and have pain that will not go away in your tummy, lower back or genitals.
You should also see a GP if you have symptoms of a UTI that have not improved after a few days, or if you have blood in your pee.
Contact a GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.
If you cannot get a GP appointment and need urgent medical attention, go to your nearest urgent care centre .
If you do not have a local UCC, go to your nearest A& E.
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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.
What Is A Uti Anyway
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, happens when bacteria enters into any part of your urinary system, which includes the urethra, the bladder, the kidneys or the uterus. If not flushed out of the system, the bacteria can lead to an infection, or a UTI.
If youve ever had a UTI , you probably havent forgotten the symptoms. UTIs are very unpleasant, to say the least, and are often accompanied with one or more of the following:
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A burning sensation when urinating
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A strong urge to urinate often, usually passing only small amounts of urine at a time.
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Cloudy and/or strong smelling urine
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Pelvic pain
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Kidney Stone With Pain
The sharp cramping pain on either side of your lower back and nausea or vomiting that you have are because of a small stone that has formed in the kidney. Its now passing down a narrow tube on its way to your bladder. Once the stone reaches your bladder, the pain will often stop. But it may come back as the stone continues to pass out of the bladder and through the urethra. The stone may pass in your urine stream in one piece. The size may be 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch . Or, the stone may break up into sandy fragments that you may not even notice.
Once you have had a kidney stone, you are at risk of getting another one in the future. There are 4 types of kidney stones. Eighty percent are calcium stonesmostly calcium oxalate but also some with calcium phosphate. The other 3 types include uric acid stones, struvite stones , and rarely, cystine stones.
Most stones will pass on their own, but may take from a few hours to a few days. Sometimes the stone is too large to pass by itself. In that case, the healthcare provider will need to use other ways to remove the stone. These techniques include:
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Lithotripsy. This uses ultrasound waves to break up the stone.
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Ureteroscopy. This pushes a basket-like instrument through the urethra and bladder and into the ureter to pull out the stone.
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Surgery. You may need surgery to remove the stone.
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What Is A Viral Fever
Most people have a body temperature of about 98.6°F . Anything a degree above this is considered a fever. Fevers are often a sign that your body is fighting off some type of bacterial or viral infection. A viral fever is any fever thats caused by an underlying viral illness.
A variety of viral infections can affect humans, from the common cold to the flu. A low-grade fever is a symptom of many viral infections. But some viral infections, such as dengue fever, can cause a higher fever.
Read on to learn more about viral fevers, including common symptoms and treatment options.
Viral fevers can range in temperature from 99°F to over 103°F , depending on the underlying virus.
If you have a viral fever, you might have some of these general symptoms:
- chills
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What Causes Kidney Stones In Children
Most kidney stones are caused by high levels of calcium, oxalate, or phosphorus in the urine. These minerals are normally found in urine and do not cause problems at normal levels.
Certain foods and beverages may increase the chances of having a kidney stone in children who are more likely to develop them.
When children cant move for a long time, for example when a child is in a cast after surgery, the chances of developing a kidney stone are higher. When children arent moving, their bones may release extra calcium into the blood.
How Do They Affect The Body
Kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract from your kidneys to your bladder and form when your urine creates more minerals and other substances than your urine can dilute. This can result in different types of kidney stones including calcium , uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones.
Symptoms dont show until the stones start to move around in your kidneys or pass through your ureter, which connects your kidneys and bladder. The stones can then become lodged in your ureters, which can lead to blocking urine flow and swelling in the kidneys. This leads to directly lower abdominal pain, bloody urine and other symptoms.
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When To See A Doctor For Kidney Stones
People often seek immediate medical attention for kidney stones due to the excruciating pain and nausea theyre experiencing. If they havent had stones before, their symptoms can be quite daunting. A lot will say, I thought I was dying, says Dr. Pearle. Always seek immediate medical attention if you have severe pain, vomiting, bleeding, or signs of infection.
Smaller stones often pass on their own. How long it takes to pass a kidney stone varies from person to person and by the size and location of the stone. If a stone is too large to pass on its own or is causing other problems, you may need to have it removed with lithotripsy or kidney stone surgery. If left untreated, kidney stones could lead to kidney damage if they block the flow of urine.
Some doctors suggest taking painkillers and boosting daily water intake to help flush out the troublesome mass. If youre vomiting, youre probably dehydrated anyway, so additional fluid cant hurt. And staying well hydrated does reduce the risk of developing future kidney stones. A type of muscle relaxing medicine called an alpha blocker may also be prescribed to help speed up kidney stone passage and reduce pain.
Even if you think the stone has passed, always follow up with a doctor because symptoms can come and go.
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Causes Of Chronic Kidney Failure
- Diabetic nephropathy, kidney damage due to high blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Change in mental alertness
- Metallic taste in mouth
The symptoms of acute and chronic kidney failure may look like other health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You may be referred to a kidney specialist known as a nephrologist.
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What Makes Stones More Likely
You are more likely to form a stone if your urine is concentrated. For example, if you exercise vigorously, if you live in a hot climate or if you work in a hot environment when you may lose more fluid as sweat and less as urine.
You are also more prone to develop kidney stones if you have:
- An abnormal kidney for example, with scars or cysts on it.
- A close relative who has had a kidney stone.
Constipation Kidney Disease May Be Linked
Treating constipation a common condition could help prevent kidney damage, experts say
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Nov. 10, 2016 People with constipation are more likely to develop kidney disease, a new study finds.
The discovery suggests kidney problems might be prevented or treated by managing constipation, according to researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Memphis VA Medical Center.
They studied the medical records of 3.5 million U.S. veterans with normal kidney function. They were tracked from 2004 to 2006, and followed through 2013.
Those with constipation were 13 percent more likely than patients without constipation to develop chronic kidney disease and 9 percent more likely to experience kidney failure. The risk was even higher for those whose constipation was more severe.
The study did not prove that constipation causes kidney disease or failure, however.
Instead, Our findings highlight the plausible link between the gut and the kidneys and provide additional insights into the possible causes of kidney disease, said study co-author Dr. Csaba Kovesdy, a professor of medicine in nephrology at the university.
Our results suggest the need for careful observation of kidney function trajectory in patients with constipation, particularly among those with more severe constipation, he added in an American Society of Nephrology news release.
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What Do Kidney Stone Symptoms Feel Like
Youre probably already aware that passing a kidney stone can be incredibly painful. Perhaps youve heard someone compare the pain to childbirth. Or maybe someone mentioned their experience with kidney stones completely recalibrated how they rate pain. Ouch.
But while the most-discussed kidney stone symptom is often the pain where its felt and how bad it can get its not the only symptom to be aware of.
Kidney stones are fairly common and often painful, but theyre also treatable and even preventable, says Dr. Chris Kannady, urologist at Houston Methodist. If you think you might have a kidney stone, its important to see your doctor as soon as possible since delaying care for a kidney stone can lead to serious complications.
But, when all youve heard about kidney stones is how much they hurt, how can you tell if your pain might be kidney stone pain?
Symptoms Of Kidney Stones
Very small kidney stones are unlikely to cause many symptoms. They may even go unnoticed and pass out painlessly when you urinate .
Symptoms usually occur if the kidney stone:
- gets stuck in your kidney
- starts to travel down the ureter the ureter is narrow and kidney stones can cause pain as they try to pass through
- causes an infection
In these cases, the symptoms of kidney stones can include:
- a persistent ache in the lower back, which is sometimes also felt in the groin men may have pain in their testicles and scrotum
- periods of intense pain in the back or side of your abdomen, or occasionally in your groin, which may last for minutes or hours, with intervals of no pain or dull ache
- feeling restless and unable to lie still
- needing to urinate more often than normal
- pain when you urinate
- blood in your urine this may be caused by the stone scratching the kidney or ureter
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