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Kidney Stones
What Are Kidney Stones
If you've ever had a kidney stone, I don't need to tell you they tend to cause a great deal of discomfort. Some researchers say kidney stones actually hurt more than child birth. Not an enjoyable situation to say the least.
So, what exactly are kidney stones?
When the urine in the kidneys starts to get too concentrated, usually from a lack of enough water, Kidney stones begin to form on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. Much like what happens when you try to dissolve too much sugar in a glass of water… the urine in the kidneys cannot dissolve and carry away the extra stone-forming chemicals and those chemicals get left behind in the kidneys.
If the urine stays too concentrated, the stones start to grow in size and will eventually start to cause pain. The pain can either come from the stone blocking the passage of urine into the bladder, or an even more intense pain when the stones break loose and travel from the kidneys down to the bladder.
Once the pain begins, it is very difficult to stay still and you will find yourself walking around or struggling to find a position that will relieve some of the pain. However, there is no position that will help and as a result, many doctors call this movement "The Kidney Stone Dance."
There are four main types of kidney stones, each with a different cause:
Calcium Stones - These are the most common type of stone and it is estimated that around 80% of all kidney stones are calcium stones. This type of stone is made of calcium and oxalate.
Uric Acid Stones – These stones happen from excess amounts of uric acid. Around 10% of all kidney stones are this type.
Struvite Stones – These are the result of too much ammonia in the urine. A majority of the time this is caused by a urinary tract infection. Struvite stones are sometimes referred to as “infection stones”. These are more common in women than they are in men.
Cystine Stones – These are caused when the kidneys excrete too much of certain amino acids. This type of stone is generally a hereditary disorder and affect roughly one percent of the population.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 1 out of every 20 people will experience kidney stones at some point throughout their lifetime. Once you have kidney stones, you have a 60% chance of having them again, so it pays to look after your body to prevent a reoccurence.
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