Kidney Stones
The formation of
stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common disorder. The
stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as
uric acid, phosphorous, calcium and oxalic acid. They may vary in
consistency from grit, sand and gravel-like obstructions to the size of
the birds eggs.
Stones may form
and grow because the concentration of a particular substance in urine
exceeds its solubility. This disorder occurs more frequently in middle
age, with men being afflicted more often than women.
The kidneys are
two bean shaped organs, lying below the waist on either side of the
spinal column on the back wall of the abdomen. They are soft, reddish
brown in color and measure about 10 cm. in length, 6 cm. in width and
are 2.5 cm. thick at its center. They are filtering plants for
purifying the blood, removing water and salts from it which are passed
into the bladder as urine.
Symptoms
Kidney stones
usually cause severe pain in their attempt to pass down the urethra on
their way to the bladder. The pain is first felt in the side and
thereafter in the groin and thighs. Other symptoms of kidney stones are
a desire to urinate frequently, painful urination, scanty urination,
nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills and shocks. The patient may also
pass blood with the urine. Sometimes, large stones may remain in the
kidneys without causing any trouble and these are known as silent
stones.
Causes
The formation of
stones in the kidneys is the result of defects in the general
metabolism. They usually occur when the urine becomes highly
concentrated due to heavy perspiration or insufficient intake of
fluids. They are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle. The other causes
are wrong diet, excess intake of acid forming foods, white flour and
sugar products, meat, tea, coffee, condiments and spices, rich foods
and overeating. Lack of vitamin A and an excessive intake of vitamin B
may also lead to formation of stones.
Types of
Stones
Chemically, urinary
stones are of two categories primary stones and secondary stones.
Primary stones are ordinarily not due to infection and are formed in
acidic urine. They usually result from alcoholism, sedentary life,
constipation and excessive intake of nitrogenous or purine-rich foods.
Secondary stones are due to local infection and are formed in alkaline
urine.
Most kidney
stones are composed either of calcium oxalate or phosphate, the later
being most common in the presence of infection. About 90% off al stones
contain calcium as the chief constituent. More than half of these are
mixtures of calcium, ammonia, and magnesium, phosphates and carbonates,
while the remainder contains oxalate. Uric acid and cystine stones
represent about four percent and one per cent respectively of the total
incidence of stones.
Treatment
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