Kidney Stones: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Kidney stones are hard objects composed of minerals and salts in urine. They form within the kidneys. Healthcare experts may refer to kidney stones as renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, or urolithiasis.

Kidney stones have a variety of causes. These include food, excess body weight, various health conditions, and certain supplements and medications. Kidney stones can harm any of the organs that produce or eliminate urine from the body, including the kidneys and the bladder. Stones frequently occur when urine contains less water. This allows minerals to form crystals and stick together.

Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful. However, quick treatment can help prevent long-term damage. Sometimes the only treatment required to pass a kidney stone is to take pain relievers and drink plenty of water. Other times, surgery or other therapies may be required. It depends on the size, position, and type of stone you have.

If you've had multiple kidney stones, your doctor can advise you on how to avoid future ones. This could include making dietary modifications, taking medication, or both.

A kidney stone normally does not produce symptoms until it moves around the kidney or enters one of the ureters. The ureters are tubes that link the kidneys to the bladder.

If a kidney stone gets lodged in one of the ureters, it can obstruct the flow of urine, causing the kidney to enlarge and the ureter to spasm. That can be extremely uncomfortable. At that stage, you may have the following symptoms:

Serious, acute pain in the side and back, just below the ribcage.

Pain spreads to the lower stomach and groin.

Pain comes in waves and varies in intensity.

Pain or burning sensation while urinating.

Additional symptoms may include:

Urine can be pink, red, or brown.

Urine that is cloudy or has an unpleasant odor.

A persistent need to urinate, either more frequently or in tiny amounts.

Vomiting and upset stomach.

If an infection is present, you may experience fever and chills.

The pain caused by a kidney stone may vary as it passes through your urinary tract. For example, the pain may spread to another place of the body or grow more severe.

If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Get a healthcare checkup immediately if you have:

Pain so severe that you are unable to sit still or find a comfortable position.

Pain, unsettled stomach, and vomiting.

Pain accompanied by fever and chills.

Blood in the urine.

I'm having trouble passing urine.

Kidney stones are frequently caused by multiple factors. However, some variables may increase your risk.

Kidney stones form when the urine contains more crystal-forming chemicals than the fluid in it can dilute. These compounds include calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and uric acid. At the same time, the urine may lack chemicals that keep crystals from adhering together. This offers the optimum conditions for kidney stones to form.

Knowing what type of kidney stone you have helps your healthcare professional determine the cause and the best treatment for you. This information can also help you prevent future kidney stones. If possible, attempt to save your kidney stone if you pass it. Then bring it to your doctor, who can determine what form of kidney stone it is.

Calcium stones. The majority of kidney stones contain calcium. They are usually composed of the chemical molecule calcium oxalate. The liver produces oxalate on a daily basis, and it is also absorbed through diet. Some fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, contain significant levels of oxalate.

Dietary variables, high vitamin D levels, intestinal bypass surgery, and a variety of metabolic disorders can all increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine.

Calcium stones can also be created from calcium phosphate. This form of stone is more common in metabolic disorders, such as renal tubular acidosis. It may also be associated to migraine or seizure medications like topiramate (Topamax, Trokendi XR, and others).

Uric acid stones. Uric acid stones can occur in those who lose too much fluid due to chronic diarrhea or who have difficulty absorbing nutrients from meals; those who consume a high-protein diet or a lot of organ meats or shellfish; and those who have diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Certain genetic factors may also increase the likelihood of developing uric acid stones.

Struvite stone. Struvite stones develop in reaction to a urinary tract infection. These stones can develop rapidly and become quite large, often with few signs or warning.

Cystine stones. These stones arise in persons who have cystinuria, a rare genetic disorder in which the kidneys leak an excessive amount of a protein building block called cystine.

Family or personal history. If someone in your family has had kidney stones, you're more likely to acquire them yourself. If you've previously had one or more kidney stones, you're more likely to acquire another.

Dehydration. Not drinking enough water every day can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. People who live in warm, dry regions and who sweat a lot may be more vulnerable than others.

Several diets. A diet high in oxalate, protein, salt, and sugar may increase your chance of developing some forms of kidney stones. This is especially true with a high-sodium diet. Too much sodium increases the quantity of calcium that the kidneys must filter. And this significantly increases the chance of kidney stones.

Obesity. This complex disease involves having too much body fat and has been related to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Digestive illnesses and surgery. Gastric bypass surgery, inflammatory bowel illness, or chronic diarrhea can all alter the digestive process. These changes influence how the body absorbs calcium and water. This raises the concentration of stone-forming chemicals in the urine.

Other health disorders, including renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, and recurrent urinary tract infections, also increase the risk of kidney stones. A rare hereditary disorder known as primary hyperoxaluria increases the risk of calcium oxalate stones.

Certain vitamins and medications. These include vitamin C, nutritional supplements, excessive laxative use, calcium-based antacids, and certain migraine or depression medications.

The prevention of kidney stones may involve a combination of lifestyle changes and medications.

Drink water all day. This is the most significant lifestyle adjustment you can implement. If you've had kidney stones before, your doctor may advise you to drink enough fluids to pass about 2.1 quarts (2 liters) of pee every day or more. You may be asked to test the amount of urine you pass to ensure that you are drinking enough water.

If you live in a hot, dry region or exercise frequently, you may need to drink even more water to generate adequate pee. If your pee is light and clear, you are probably consuming enough water.

Eat less oxalate-containing foods. If you are prone to calcium oxalate stones, your doctor may advise you to limit oxalate-rich meals. These foods include rhubarb, beets, okra, spinach, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, almonds, tea, chocolate, black pepper, sesame or tahini goods, and soy products. Reviewing your diet with a dietician who specializes in kidney stones is usually beneficial.

Choose a low-sodium, animal-protein diet. Consume less salt. Choose protein sources that are not derived from meat or fish, such as lentils. Consider using a salt replacement to flavor dishes.

Continue to eat calcium-rich foods, but be cautious when taking calcium supplements. Calcium in meals has little effect on your risk of kidney stones. Continue to consume calcium-rich foods unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

Consult your doctor before using calcium supplements. These have been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. You can reduce the risk by taking vitamins with meals. In some people, a low-calcium diet increases the likelihood of kidney stones forming.

Request that your healthcare professional recommend you to a dietitian. The dietician can assist you in developing an eating plan that reduces your risk of kidney stones.

Medicines can regulate the levels of minerals and salts in the urine. They may be useful for persons who create specific types of stones. The type of treatment prescribed by your doctor is determined by the type of kidney stone you have. Here are few examples:

Calcium stones. To assist prevent calcium stones from developing, your doctor may give a thiazide diuretic or potassium citrate. If you develop calcium oxalate stones owing to the rare hereditary disorder primary hyperoxaluria, you may require additional treatments to reduce the quantity of oxalate in your blood. Your doctor may recommend that you take vitamin B6, commonly known as pyridoxine. Alternatively, you may require prescription medications such as lumasiran (Oxlumo) or nedosiran (Rivfloza).

Uric acid stones. Your doctor may prescribe allopurinol (Zyloprim, Aloprim, and others) to reduce uric acid levels in your blood and urine. You may also be prescribed potassium citrate. These medications can occasionally dissolve pre-existing uric acid stones.

Struvite stone. To avoid struvite stones, your healthcare provider may advise you to keep your urine clear of bacteria that cause illness. To maintain proper urine flow, you may be advised to urinate more frequently and drink more fluids. Rarely, long-term usage of antibiotics in tiny or intermittent dosages may aid in achieving this goal. For example, a healthcare provider may recommend that you take an antibiotic before and after surgery to treat kidney stones. Acetohydroxamic acid-based medications may also help prevent struvite stones.

Cystine stones. A diet low in salt and protein may help prevent cystine stones. Your doctor may also advise you to drink extra fluids to increase the amount of urine you produce. If these adjustments do not produce results, thiol compounds or other newer medications may be administered. They may make crystals less likely to form.