Kidney Stone

A stone in your kidney is an irregularly-shaped solid mass or crystal that can be as small as a grain of sand up to the size of a golf ball.  Even small stones can cause extreme pain as they exit your body through your urinary tract.

A large kidney stone can get trapped in your ureter. The stone can cause bleeding and keep urine from leaving your body.

RISK FACTORS

• Men in their 30s and 40s are most likely to get kidney stones.
• Not drinking enough water
• Diet
• Family history of kidney stones.
• Blockage in your urinary tract.
• Some medications

Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk of developing stones.

• Hypercalciuria (high calcium levels in your urine).
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Osteoporosis.
• Gout and cystic fibrosis.
• Kidney cysts.
• Parathyroid disease.
• Inflammatory bowel disease and chronic diarrhea.
• Certain foods
• Meats and poultry (animal proteins).
• Sodium (diets high in salt).
• Sugars (fructose, sucrose, and corn syrup).
• Fish, beans, and other protein-rich foods

SYMPTOMS

• Pain in your lower back or side of your body. This pain can start as a dull ache that comes and goes.
• Nausea and/or vomiting 
• blood in your urine.
• pain when urinating.
• Unable to pass urine
• Frequent urination
• Fever or chills.
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

DIAGNOSIS

• X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound scan
• Blood test
• Urine test

MANAGEMENT

• Lemon juice. Lemon juice is rich in citrate, which can help prevent kidney stones from forming. Citrates are found in several citrus fruits including lemons, limes, oranges, and melons.
• Coffee. Studies show that coffee may decrease your risk of developing kidney stones.
• Avoid soda and other drinks with added sugar or fructose corn syrup.
• Drink water. Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses every day.
• Limit salt. 
• Lose weight.

Take foods that are high in calcium including:

• Cow’s milk.
• Yogurt.
• Cheese.
• Broccoli.
• Kale.
• Calcium-fortified juices.
• Dried beans.
• Salmon.
• Calcium-fortified hot cereal.

Foods to avoid

• Spinach.
• Rhubarb.
• Strawberries.
• Tea in excess
• Dried peas and beans.
• Nuts and nut butter.
• Wheat bran