Calcium, sodium, potassium, oxalate, uric acid, and phosphate are among the chemicals found in urine. The particles can cluster together and crystallise if the amounts of these particles get too high, or if the pH of the urine becomes too acidic or basic. The crystals will progressively expand over a few weeks, months, or even years, producing a detectable stone in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra unless the problem is addressed. The most frequent type of crystal that forms this way is calcium oxalate, which accounts for around 80% of kidney stones.
It is possible for a kidney stone to be undiagnosed until it begins to move. The jagged edges of a stone cut the walls of the urinary tract as it passes through the kidney and into the ureter. The nervous system receives excruciating pain signals from nerve endings buried in this tissue. Scratches can also cause blood to leak into the urine. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and a burning sensation while peeing. If a stone becomes large enough to restrict the flow of urine, it can cause infection, backflow, and damage to the kidneys.
Most kidney stones, however, do not progress to this level of severity or necessitate invasive treatment. Masses with a diameter of less than five mm will normally pass through the body on their own. A doctor will often merely advise drinking plenty of water and even using pain relievers to assist in speeding up the process. If the stone is slightly larger, alpha blockers can help by relaxing the muscles in the ureter and allowing the stone to pass more easily. Potassium citrate, a different medicine, can help dissolve the stones by making the urine less acidic.
One technique for crushing medium-sized stones up to roughly ten millimeters is to use soundwaves. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy targets the stone with high-intensity pulses of concentrated ultrasonic radiation. Small bubbles jostle the stone as the pulses cause vibrations within it. The stone is crushed into tiny bits by the combined forces, making it easier to flow out of the body.
When a stone is simply too huge, though, zapping it with sound does not function as well. As a result, more invasive treatments are occasionally required. To enlarge the ureter, a hard tube called a stent can be inserted. Laser pulses can be delivered over optical fibers to break up the stone. Stones can also be surgically removed by making an incision in the back or groin of the patient.
Kidney stones can be avoided. People who are prone to them may be advised by their doctor to drink plenty of water, which dilutes the calcium oxalate and other substances that eventually form painful stones. Avoid foods high in oxalate, such as potato chips, spinach, rhubarb, and beets. Despite the fact that calcium is frequently detected in stones, calcium in foods and beverages can actually aid by binding to oxalate in the digestive tract before it is absorbed and reaches the kidneys.
