Kidney Stones
@erminiasanjose (1588)
Philippines
March 6, 2007 9:43pm CST
A kidney stone is a hard mineral and crystalline material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi.
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 associated with infection in the urinary tract are known as struvite or infection stones.
I hope that this could help all of us to understand what a kidney stone is and how is it formed.
4 people like this
5 responses
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
7 Mar 07
You are giving a lot of information on the kidney and its defects. I need these information as I am not feeling normal with my way of urinating. There might be already stones forming. And so the easiest remedy would be to drink much water.
@arseniajoaquin (1732)
• Philippines
8 Mar 07
"Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume." I think this is my problem. I feel that I would like to urinate but I could not urinate and if there is, it is in very small quantity. My aunt had kidney stones, very fine, and she was able to urinate them after taking in some medications.
@paulnet (748)
• India
9 Mar 07
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. Surgery is not usually necessary. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water to help move the stone along. You can stay home during this process, drinking fluids and taking pain medication as needed. The doctor usually asks you to save the passed stone for testing.
1 person likes this
@whacks (774)
• Philippines
8 Mar 07
Some time ago, the color of my urine became as blood. And so there is a possibility that I have kidney stones. I was in the province then and we just boiled leaves of Banaba which is a sort of herbal medicine here in the Philippines and my urine became clearer. I did no longer go to the doctor for consultation.
@celinlocario (334)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
Thanks for the information. I sometimes hard up in urinating but when I drink plenty of water, it becomes well again.
