Along with Polycystic Kidney Disease and Diabetes, simple kidney stones can cause real harm as well. Dr. Shakil explained to me that when high levels of oxalate and calcium are introduced into the kidneys, these minerals may start to crystallize, causing stones to form. Once stones form in the kidneys, the patient may start to see several symptoms, including pain in the sides and back, and unusual smell in the urine.
If the pain gets too unbearable, it is important to see a doctor right away, as stones may lead to more damage. Once the doctor confirms the patient has a kidney stone, several treatment options are available. For small stones that don’t cause much pain, many patients simply choose to pass the stone through simple urination. To do this, it is important for the patient to drink around two-three quarts of water a day. The doctor may also recommend weak pain relievers, such as Aleve or Advil. If the stone becomes too hard to pass, the doctor may prescribe an alpha blocker as well, which relaxes the muscles to help pass the stone without much pain or discomfort. But what happens when the stone is too large to pass? New advances in medicine have allowed shock wave therapy to come into play. The procedure known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, or ESWl, creates strong sound waves that break up the stone, so these smaller stones are able to pass through urination. If this procedure is unsuccessful, the stone may be removed surgically. These stones in general cause a lot of pain, but they can easily be prevented. Contrary to popular belief, it is important to eat calcium rich foods, as they can still easily pass through the kidney if a large amount is present. A diet low in salt and protein will help with prevention as well, as these may cause sodium to leak into urine. About one in ten people will have at least one kidney stone in their lifetime, so it is important to spread awareness in order to avoid this pain in the future. Source: "Kidney stones." Mayo Clinic. Web. 05 Mar. 2017. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/definition/con-20024829>.
3 Comments
Raylene Streuber
3/6/2017 04:42:35 pm
This is very enlightening- I never knew what causes kidney stones. Does injesting any type of protein cause it, or is it usually tied more to animal protein?
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Muhammad
3/7/2017 02:24:52 pm
Protein mixed with salt can precipitate a kidney stone in patients who have calcium associated Nephrolithiasis. Hence even plant protein with salt could precipitate stones. Both types of proteins boost the level of uric acid and that may cause the stones to form as well.
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Raylene
3/23/2017 08:19:01 am
Thank you!
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