If you started to worry about pain in the lumbar region, then this may indicate that stones began to form in your kidneys. Typically, such a disease occurs if metabolic processes in the human body are impaired. According to statistics, this disease bothers every eleventh person. At the same time, men aged twenty-five to sixty are most often affected, but exceptions are possible.
In this article, we will talk about how kidney stones form, and also find out what are the causes of this pathology, how it is diagnosed and treated. Carefully read the information provided in order to arm yourself and protect yourself as much as possible.
What kind of stones are these?
Everyone should be aware of how kidney stones form. Most often, such stones consist of calcium salts, which are called carbonates in science. However, in some cases, the stones may also have oxalic acid as well as phosphoric or uric acids. Some stones may have a protein, cystine or urate nature. However, this is extremely rare.
When a stone comes out, it is very important to catch it and send it for research, since the further treatment process will depend on this. Quite often, patients suffering from urolithiasis, simultaneously with this disease also have various pathogenic bacteria in the urinary tract. Please note that if bacteria enter the kidney, it can also contribute to the formation of stones in it. It is for this reason that coral-shaped stones develop. Such formations are so rapidly and greatly expanded that they can completely occupy the entire space of the internal organ.
If you understand why and how kidney stones form, you can prevent the development of this disease by taking all necessary measures in a timely manner. Usually, first of all, neoplasms are formed precisely in the kidneys, after which the disease spreads further, affecting the ureters, bladder, and also the urethra. The stones can be completely different sizes. There are very small formations, with a diameter of up to three millimeters, as well as large ones exceeding fifteen millimeters. It is very important to prevent the occurrence of such a stage, otherwise the disease can result in death for the patient.
Oxalate stones
Most often, patients are found with oxalate kidney stones. What they are formed from is of interest to many people who are afraid to face such a dangerous pathology. These neoplasms, like all others, arise in the body in the presence of pathologies in metabolic processes, as well as in the abuse of oxalic and ascorbic acids by people. These acids are found in foods such as sorrel, spinach, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cranberries and all kinds of sour-tasting fruits and berries. Such stones have a size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. However, in some cases, the neoplasms can be so large that they occupy the entire space of the kidney. Such stones have a heterogeneous structure with sharp edges and spikes, therefore they are very dangerous, as they can damage internal organs. If you notice that you have bloody discharge in your urine, rush to the hospital immediately, as this most likely indicates that it was such a stone that damaged the urinary ducts.
How are kidney stones formed?
In fact, the process of salt formation is quite complicated. According to experts, this is associated with violations of urine colloids, as well as with a change in renal chlorenchyma. Stones can form from various crystals and mineral salts that accumulate in the kidney over time. So, when disorders occur in the body’s metabolic system that affect the balance of fluid concentration and other urine components, all crystals accumulated in the kidneys may precipitate and begin to accumulate in the urinary tract. This is how you can briefly describe the process of how kidney stones form.
Stones always begin to form from insoluble particles if, for whatever reason, disorders have occurred in the body. The speed and intensity of the stone formation process are individual, and depend on many factors.
Why are kidney stones formed?
There are a huge number of reasons for the formation of urolithiasis. This disease affects all the inhabitants of our planet. That is why the question of why kidney stones form is so relevant. The occurrence of this disease can be accompanied by a large number of factors. Consider the most significant of them:
- changes in the body of a hormonal nature;
- in the blood there is a significantly increased level of calcium;
- also a frequent reason why stones and sand form in the kidneys is the abuse of alcohol-containing drinks;
- Another reason for stone formation is the consumption of certain drinks, as well as foods containing a large amount of calcium.
In other words, stones can form under the influence of external and internal causes.
External factors include a change in climatic conditions, poor nutrition, as well as the use of large amounts of water containing lime salt.
But internal causes include hormonal imbalance, mineral metabolism, as well as injuries of bone tissue and spinal cord. It also includes the presence of diseases of the digestive system, abnormal liver function, changes in the composition of urine, and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the organs of the urinary system.
What foods are fraught with stone formation?
Do not forget that in everything you need to know the measure. If you eat your favorite, but at the same time harmful foods, this will not bring significant harm to your body. However, regular abuse can be extremely dangerous for the body. And so, we will consider from what products kidney stones are formed:
- If you are prone to stone formation, try to reduce the amount of greens in your diet, and especially foods like sorrel, spinach and rhubarb. They contain a large amount of oxalic acid, which can cause the formation of stones. Also, experts recommend reducing the consumption of milk, strawberries, beets and cabbage.
- Sardines and red meat. However, do not completely exclude these products from your diet. You can consume once every ten to fourteen days.
- The use of carbonated drinks. They contain a large amount of phosphoric acid, which can provoke the process of stone formation.
- The use of refined carbohydrates disrupts the process of insulin production, and this leads to the process of leaching of calcium from the body, which contributes to its precipitation. Coffee drinks have the same properties.
- Alcohol-containing drinks significantly accelerate the process of urination, which helps to accelerate the removal of beneficial substances from the body. In this case, the crystals can also precipitate and provoke the appearance of stones.
- Excessive use of salt is very dangerous for the body, because it is this product that most often leads to stone formation. It contributes to the retention of water in the cells, and this leads to the deposition of calcium in them.
How fast do stones form?
Many patients are interested in the question of how quickly kidney stones form. In fact, this phenomenon is considered individual. For some, the size of the stones increases very quickly, for someone rather slowly. It all depends on metabolic processes in the body, as well as on a person’s lifestyle. When asked how quickly kidney stones form, doctors can answer that they can appear in the body even in a few days.
Quite often, the patient may suffer from this ailment and not even suspect its presence. However, as soon as the stones become impressive in size and the disease begins to be accompanied by severe pain, it will immediately become clear that stones have formed in the kidneys.
The main symptoms of this disease
From what kidney stones are formed, we have already found out. Now it’s worth understanding what the symptoms of this phenomenon are. Of course, the first and most important symptom is the presence of severe pain. However, quite often the initial stages of this disease do not have any symptoms, so the patient does not start the treatment process in a timely manner and greatly aggravates his situation.
This disease is usually accompanied by pain in the lumbar region when performing physical exertion, as well as when in the wrong position of the body. Also, pain can occur in the lower abdomen and inguinal region.
Usually, after prolonged severe bouts of pain, the formed stones begin to leave the body with urine.
The color of the urine may also indicate kidney stones. Usually, in the presence of this disease, it acquires a dark shade. In some cases, spotting can be noticed in it. If you have these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately.
Also, the course of the pathology can be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which cannot be brought down by conventional drugs.
Diagnostic Features
In fact, the disease can already be diagnosed by relying on patient complaints. However, this is far from enough. It is very important for the patient to take urine and blood tests, as well as undergo an ultrasound examination. However, this method does not always give absolutely accurate results. During the examination, it is very important to know where the kidney stones form. Therefore, to obtain a complete picture of the disease, doctors prescribe computed tomography of the kidney to their patients. The presence of stones can also be determined using x-rays. However, this method does not allow to detect protein and uric acid stones. To date, the most accurate results can be achieved using the magnetic resonance type of study.
Treatment features
Many patients are interested in the question of how quickly kidney stones form repeatedly. Here, a lot will depend on the patient himself. If he does not improve his nutrition and does not learn to lead a healthy lifestyle, then the probability of relapse is very high. Within a month you can see how the disease begins to progress again. If the patient clearly fulfills all the requirements of the doctor, then the disease may cease to bother him at all.
And so, we will consider what are the features of the treatment of this disease.
Kidney stones can be treated with a conservative as well as surgical method. The treatment depends on the type of stones, as well as their size. So, there are special solvents that can eliminate some types of stones. The course of treatment with such drugs is about two to three months. However, you should not expect that there are magic pills that can eliminate all types of this ailment.
Surgical treatment is not used very often. This is usually done in cases where the patient travels a lot and lives in the remote ends of the globe. Most often, operations are prescribed for those patients who have formed very large stone formations, or the person suffers from renal failure.
In other cases, endoscopic procedures are used. A special apparatus is inserted through the urethra into the kidney, where it crushes stones, while removing their large pieces. Small particles come out of the body on their own, along with urine. Most often, laser and ultrasonic techniques are used for crushing.
Features of proper nutrition
Even if you were able to get rid of kidney stones using a surgical or conservative method, you should not hope that you eliminated this pathology completely. The formation of kidney stones is a chronic process, therefore, without taking the necessary preventive measures, the disease will make itself felt again and again. A common diet suitable for each patient does not exist. Your doctor will choose a diet that is right for you, based on the etymology of the disease, as well as on the characteristics of your body.
If the patient has urate stones in the kidneys, then he should exclude from his diet foods such as liver, kidneys, fish and meat broths. With oxalate stones, minimize the consumption of lettuce, spinach and sorrel. But for the prevention of phosphate stones, experts recommend excluding foods such as fruits, vegetables and milk from the diet.
The most important step in the treatment of urolithiasis is the use of a sufficient amount of fluid. Following this advice is very important for kidney health. Every day you need to drink at least one and a half liters of purified water. In this case, do not drink sweet carbonated drinks, as well as coffee. Such drinks not only do not quench thirst, but also provoke the appearance of stones in the urinary system.
Doctors also strongly recommend that their patients lead an active lifestyle, which includes sports, as well as daily walks in the fresh air. And whenever possible, avoid stressful situations, because stress is a dangerous enemy of the hormonal system of our body.
conclusions
How many kidney stones are formed? This is a question that interests many patients. Once again, it is worth repeating that this process is individual, as it depends on the eating habits of a person, as well as on the individual characteristics of his body. Anyone can be exposed to stone formation, so carefully monitor your health.