Kidney Stones with Pictures of Kidny Stones.

What are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are stone like hard masses that form in any one or both of the kidneys. The function of the kidnies is to filter out waste products from the blood stream and add them to the urine which the kidneys produce. When this waste material in the urine does not dissolves completely, crystals and kidney stones form.

Kidney stones isn't a rare condition, about one percent of the population in Western countries like USA get them. The disease of kidney stones has shown to have regional variation in occurrence. It is more common in developed nations. In the United States people living in the areas known as sunbelts, like south western and south eastern states are at higher risk for developing kidney stones than in other country parts.

Often it is observed that kidny stones doesn't don't cause any pain when the stones are in the kidnies but when they start to move into the  bladder pain is experienced. Kidney stones can also cause bleeding and block the flow of urine.

Treatment of Kidney Stones:

Treatment of kedney stones depends on the cause and type of the stones. Most stones are treatable without surgery. Drinking plenty of water (at least two to three liters per day) and staying physically active works very effectively to move any stones  out of the body.

Treatment can be in two ways: medical or surgical. But as said earlier the location, size, degree of symptoms, the absence or presence of any urinary infections and obstruction influence the line of treatment.

In the absence of proper treatment, even after the kidney stones have passed from the kidnies, or have been removed surgically or fragmented laser therapy, the recurrence rate is almost 50 percent.  On the contrary, with proper medical and surgical treatment the rate of recurrence can be reduced to 10 percent.

Prevention Steps for Kidny Stones:

You can take the following steps in consultation of your health care provider, to help prevent kidney stones.

• Make it a habit to drink at least two liters of water per day and another glass of water when you get up at night for urination.
• Also try to drink plenty after meals and after exercise.
• If you have calcium oxalate stones, always stay within the advised dietary allowance for calcium and avoid any foods high in oxalate content like tea and chocolate. Do not take very high doses of Vitamin C (4 grams or more per day) and avoid use of antacids. Vitamin B6, not more than 50 mg per day may help to protect against recurrent calcium oxalate stones.
• In case you have uric acid stones, reduce the amount of red meat you eat.
• Try to decrease protein and salt intake.
• Avoiding getting dehydrated (high fluid intake helps in keeping the urinary tract clean)
• Fast treatment of any urinary tract infections.

Signs and Symptoms of Kedney Stones:

Pain associated with kidney stones start as an ache in the side (the flank) and back which fluctuates. Then with time it starts to become constant and severe. This is due to the urinary system trying to get itself cleared from the stones. Affected individuals experience a burning sensation during urination, blood in the urine, cloudy or foul-smelling urine and a frequent urge to urinate. In some individuals nausea and vomiting may occur, lower abdomen or flank experience pain if touched or gently pushed inside.

Some other health conditions are also linked with the development of kedney stones. These include urinary infections that recur, urinary tract blockage, contraction of bowel diseases, and some inherited disorders. Individuals suffering from paralysis or who have to take bed rest for long intervals of time are always at significantly increased risk of developing kidney stones.