Kidney stones
Kidney stone disease or stone disease is a crystallopathy that occurs when there is an excess of minerals in the urine and not enough liquid or hydration. This imbalance causes tiny crystals to aggregate and form hard masses, or calculi (stones), in the upper urinary tract. Because renal calculi typically form in the kidney, if small enough they may pass out of the urinary tract through the urine stream. A small calculus may pass without causing any symptoms. However, if a stone grows to more than 5 millimeters, it can cause blockage of the ureter, resulting in extremely sharp and severe pain in the lower back that often radiates to the groin. A calculus may also result in blood in the urine, vomiting, swelling of the kidney, or painful urination. About half of all people who have had a kidney stone are likely to develop another within ten years.
Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.
Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Severe pain in the lower back or , blood in the urine, vomiting,
Causes — why it happens
- · and environmental factors
How it's found
- ·Based on symptoms, urine testing, medical
Prevention
- ·Drinking fluids such that more than two liters of urine are produced per day
Treatment
- ·Pain medication, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, laser lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy