Kidney stones, also called renal calculi, are solid concretions (crystal aggregations) of dissolved minerals in urine; calculi typically form inside the kidneys or bladder. The terms nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis refer to the presence of calculi in the kidneys and urinary tract, respectively.

Kidney stones can be due to underlying metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis,[7] Dent's disease and medullary sponge kidney. Many health facilities will screen for such disorders in patients with recurrent kidney stones.[citation needed] This is typically done with a 24 hour urine collection that is chemically analyzed for deficiencies and excesses that promote stone formation. Kidney stones are also more common in patients with Crohn's disease.
There has been some evidence that water fluoridation may increase the risk of kidney stone formation. In one study, patients with symptoms of skeletal fluorosis were 4.6 times as likely to develop kidney stones. However, fluoride may also be an inhibitor of urinary stone formation.
There is a longstanding belief among the mainstream medical community that vitamin C causes kidney stones, which may be based on little science. Although some individual recent studies have found a relationship ,there is no clear relationship between excess ascorbic acid intake and kidney stone formation.

First, if you suspect you have kidney stones go to the ER and get tested. It can take weeks and even months to get an appointment with a specialist. Emergency room visits are where most patients are diagnosed with kidney stones. If you do go to the ER to be diagnosed make sure you follow up with a specialist instead of ignoring the problem. Kidneys are vital organs and if you are experiencing pain in them you need to be seen and treated.

Kidney stones usually pass without medical intervention. When possible your doctor will send you home with a strainer to urinate through to collect any stones you may pass and let you pass the stone on your own. Only a few of the "lucky" people like myself end up with kidney stones large enough to have to be surgically removed. I had pieces as large as popcorn kernels after lithotripsy was used to break up the stone. Collecting the pieces or the stones and bringing them with you to your next appointment will help your doctor determine which type of stones you are having.

Answered by Pankaj , an ibibo Advisor, at 4:49 PM on October 15, 2008

Kidney Stones are formed from chemicals found in the urine (such as uric acid, calcium, phosphorus and oxalic acid). This happens when a particular substance in the urine exceeds its solubility. They maybe grit, sand and gravel like obstructions.


Symptoms of Kidney Stones :

• Pain is felt in the side initially and then in the groin and thighs.
• Scanty and painful urination.
• Frequent urination and presence of blood in the urine.
• Chill, shock, vomiting, nausea and sweating are the other symptoms.


Causes of Kidney Stones :

• Insufficient intake of fluids or heavy perspiration makes the urine highly concentrated and leads to stone formation.

• Sedentary lifestyle aggravates things further.

• Excess intake of Vitamin D and lack of Vitamin C.

• Excess intake of meat, condiment and spices, white flour and sugar products, tea and coffee, acid forming foods.

• Overeating can lead to formation of stones.


Types of Kidney Stones :

1. Primary stones are formed in acidic urine. Sedentary life, alcoholism, excess intake of nitrogenous rich food and constipation are the factors.

2. Secondary stones arise in alkaline medium and are formed due to local infection.


Treatment of Kidney Stones :

Proper dietary regulations prevent recurrence of the symptoms. Avoid foods that irritate the kidneys.

• Kidney beans are effective remedy for kidney stones and other kidney problems. Boil about sliced pods in hot water for 4 hours. Strain the liquid and cool it for 8 hours. Strain it once more. A glassful of the decoction should be given to the patient every 2 hours for one day. Then take it several times a week.

• Juice of basil leaf is also very effective. When taken with honey for 6 months it gives good results.

• Celery can be used regularly to prevent stone formation.

• Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine should be taken for several months for a permanent cure.

• Restrict protein diet.

• Drink more than 3,000 milliliter of water per day.

• Patient should be given large hot enema.

• Take a hot bath, temperature being 100 degree Fahrenheit. Apply cold pack to the head. Hot fomentation should be applied across the back region of the kidneys to relieve pain.

• Yoga is also very beneficial.

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 1:58 PM on October 11, 2008

kidney stones are caused due to excessive intake of Calcium & or oxalic acid rich foods . Generally renal stones are of Calcium Oxalate . Excessive intake of Vitamin C rich foods or even by taking supplements of Vitamin C for very long time without the need causes stones. Also green leafy vegetables like Spinach etc which are rich in oxalates causes stones.

Answered by Moksha G , an ibibo Master, at 11:11 AM on October 09, 2008

Kidney stones, one of the most painful of the urologic disorders, are not a product of modern life. Scientists have found evidence of kidney stones in a 7,000-year-old Egyptian mummy. Unfortunately, kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract; more than 1 million cases were diagnosed in 1996. An estimated 10 percent of people in the United States will have a kidney stone at some point in their lives. Men tend to be affected more frequently than women.

Most kidney stones pass out of the body without any intervention by a physician. Stones that cause lasting symptoms or other complications may be treated by various techniques, most of which do not involve major surgery. Also, research advances have led to a better understanding of the many factors that promote stone formation.

And for more information visit the source site:
http://www.fbhc.org/Patients /Modules/kidneystones.cfm

Answered by Dinesh , an ibibo Master, at 8:23 AM on October 09, 2008

Kidney stones form when a change occurs in the normal balance of water, salts, minerals, and other things found in urine. The most common cause of kidney stones is not drinking enough water. Try to drink enough water to keep your urine clear (about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day). Some people are more likely to get kidney stones because of a medical condition or family history.

Kidney stones may also be an inherited disease. If other people in your family have had them, you may have them too.

Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place. It can be especially helpful to drink more water. (The National Institutes of Health recommend drinking up to 12 full glasses of water a day, if you've already had a kidney stone.) Water helps to flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.

Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individual's medical history, dietary changes or medications are sometimes recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing further kidney stones. It is particularly helpful, if one has passed a stone, to have it analyzed in a laboratory to determine the precise type of stone so specific prevention measures can be considered.

Answered by Vinay Kiran , an ibibo Specialist, at 7:29 PM on October 08, 2008

In most people the underlying cause isn't known. Some people with kidney stones have lower levels of citrate in their urine, which usually stops the stones forming.

Different kinds of kidney stones form from different salts in the urine.

Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone. They are either spiky or large and smooth, and are made up of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate.

Calcium stones are more common in people who have excess levels of vitamin D or who have an overactive parathyroid gland. People who have medical conditions such as cancer, some kidney diseases, or a disease called sarcoidosis are also more likely to develop calcium stones.

Uric acid stones are smooth, brown and soft. Excess amounts of uric acid can be caused by eating a lot of meat. Conditions such as gout and treatments such as chemotherapy can also increase the risk of getting uric acid stones.

Struvite stones (infection stones) are usually large and have a horn-like shape. They develop when there is too much ammonia in the urine. This can happen if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), because the bacteria that cause these infections can generate ammonia. This kind of kidney stone is most often found in women.

Cystine stones are yellow and crystalline. They develop if you have high levels of cystine in your urine, which happens if you have a hereditary disorder called cystinuria. Only one in a hundred kidney stones are caused by this condition. Cystine stones tend to develop earlier in life than other kidney stones, usually between the ages of 10 and 30 years.

Prevention

To help prevent any type of kidney stone you should drink more fluid. You should aim to drink at least three litres every 24 hours, or enough to make your urine clear rather than a yellow colour. Talk to your doctor for more advice on this.

It used to be thought that reducing the amount of calcium in your diet would lower the risk of developing calcium stones. However, research has shown that a diet containing normal or even increased amounts of calcium containing food (such as dairy products or green leafed vegetables) may be more helpful.

If you get calcium oxalate stones, cut down on foods that have high levels of oxalate - chocolate, tea, rhubarb, cooked spinach and asparagus.

If you get uric acid stones you should eat less meat, fish and poultry, and your doctor may prescribe medicine to help reduce the level of uric acid in your urine.

You should discuss dietary changes with your doctor as they are not appropriate for everyone.

If you get cystine stones, your doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce the chance of the stones forming.

If you develop struvite or "infection" stones your urine must be kept free of the bacteria that are causing the infection. This may mean taking long-term antibiotics.

Answered by Alok , an ibibo Master, at 3:38 PM on October 08, 2008

Kidney stones are precipitates of Calcium, Magnisum, Iron and some other minerals. These are essential for body as well. Scientifically, stones form in Kidney/Gal Baldder over a long period of time naturally. Though exact reasons are unknown, some studies show that its genetic. Further studies show that if a person takes adequte water qty on daily basis i.e. 4 - 5 litter a day and does some exsercise like walking 1- 5 km a day, the chances of stone formation reduces to zero. In addition to this, diet suppliments like calcium and iron to be taken with active advice of a qualified doctor. appropriate diet further reduces flow of excess minerals in kidney/gal bladder.

Answered by Arun Sharma , an ibibo Citizen, at 2:47 PM on October 08, 2008

Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical compounds that can form stones in the urinary tract include uric acid and the amino acid cystine.

Dehydration through reduced fluid intake or strenuous exercise without adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction to the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract; these are known as struvite or infection stones.

Men are especially likely to develop kidney stones, and whites are more often affected than blacks. The prevalence of kidney stones begins to rise when men reach their 40s, and it continues to climb into their 70s. People who have already had more than one kidney stone are prone to develop more stones. A family history of kidney stones is also a risk factor for the development of kidney stones.

A number of different conditions can lead to kidney stones:

* Gout results in an increased amount of uric acid in the urine and can lead to the formation of uric acid stones.


* Hypercalciuria (high calcium in the urine), another inherited condition, causes stones in more than half of cases. In this condition, too much calcium is absorbed from food and excreted into the urine, where it may form calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate stones.


* Other conditions associated with an increased risk of kidney stones include hyperparathyroidism, kidney diseases such as renal tubular acidosis, and some inherited metabolic conditions including cystinuria and hyperoxaluria. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) are also associated with an increased risk of developing kidney stones.


* People with inflammatory bowel disease or who have had an intestinal bypass or ostomy surgery are also more likely to develop kidney stones.
* Some medications also raise the risk of kidney stones. These medications include some diuretics, calcium-containing antacids, and the protease inhibitor Crixivan (indinavir), a drug used to treat HIV infection.

Answered by Vikas Mor , an ibibo Citizen, at 2:00 PM on October 08, 2008

well,Essentially, kidney stones can be caused by a variety of factors, with at least half caused by the absorption of too much calcium. If other people in your family have developed this problem, urinalysis may help you determine if you are also at risk. Especially with hypercalciuria, there are foods to avoid that may help you avoid kidney stone formation. These include spinach, chard, black tea, chocolate, sweet potatoes, wheat germ, grits, peanuts, raspberries, strawberries, and liver. All of these foods may create additional calcium oxalate and lead to greater risk for kidney stones.

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 1:41 PM on October 08, 2008

Kidney stones are caused because certain chemicals that get concentrated in the urine.When u are in a hot or humid conditions, u dont take enof fluids.They are crystals of protein that come out in urine.They are actually small 5mm size balls floating in the kidney.They are calcium that has become slid. The best way to avoid it si to drink plenty of water.With consistent diet and medication this can be averted.IT is a painful disorder, esp when the stone gets clogged in some part of the kidney, there can be terrible stomach pain.

Answered by Vida Writer , an ibibo Master, at 1:07 PM on October 08, 2008