Kidney Stone

Kidney stones are deposits of mineral or organic substances that form in the kidneys. Approximately 10 percent of people develop kidney stones at some time in their lives. You're most likely to suffer stones if you are male, are 20 to 40 years old, or have gout. Men are four times more likely than women to get kidney stones, the theory being that female hormones prevent kidney stones from forming.

Why Be Concerned About Kidney Stones?
The most obvious reason to learn about kidney stones and modify a person's behavior accordingly is to avoid the intense pain which they cause. But the most important reason is because kidney stones can quickly lead to failure of the kidneys which is life threatening.

A kidney stone that does not pass on out can block the urinary tract. This blockage will probably cause pain initially. But if medical attention is not received to identify the cause of the pain and remove the blockage, the pain is likely to gradually go away over a few days time. This lack of pain may cause the sufferer to think the crisis has passed when, in fact, the kidney which has been blocked by the stone has shut down. If left untreated in just a few days this shut down can lead to permanent loss of function in that kidney. A kidney stone can even rupture the collection system of the kidney.

How common are kidney stones?
About 3 in 20 men, and 1 in 20 women in the UK develop a kidney stone at some stage in their life. It can occur at any age, but most commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. About half of people who develop a kidney stone will have at least one recurrence at some stage in the future.

Kidney Stones Symptoms

When a tubular structure is blocked in the body, pain is generated in waves as the body tries to unblock the obstruction. These waves of pain are called colic. Renal colic (renal is the medical term for things related to the kidney) has a classic presentation when a kidney stone is being passed.

·    The pain is intense and comes on suddenly.
·     Kidney Stones - Treatment Overview
Your first diagnosis of kidney stones often occurs when you see your doctor or go to an emergency room because you are in great

pain. Your doctor may suggest that you wait for the stone to pass and take pain medicine or have a procedure to remove the stone.
What Every Man & Woman Should Know About Kidney Stones
Ouch!  Throughout my medical career, I have always been impressed with the severe amount of pain and suffering that a kidney stone can cause.  In fact, it is one of the "great pains" in medicine and one that you are unlikely to forget.  Kidney stones (calculi) are solid or semi-solid mineral-like substances occurring in the urinary tract.

Probiotic hope for kidney stones

Treating patients with bacteria may be an effective way of reducing their risk of repeatedly developing painful kidney stones, a study suggests. People naturally carrying the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes were found to be 70% less likely to have problems.