Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney Stones Overview
Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract, and one of the most painful. In the United States, approximately 1 million people suffer an attack of kidney stones every year.
Stones most typically affect people between the ages of 20 and 40, men more frequently than women. Risk also increases if there is a family history of kidney stones.
About the Kidneys
Kidney stones can develop when crystals form in urine and build up on the inner surface of the kidney. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the lower back. Their main function is to remove waste from the body and to balance the water and mineral content of the blood by removing water. The waste and water are combined to form urine.
The kidneys filter the blood and remove liquid waste from the body in the form of urine. From the kidneys, urine flows down the ureters, two thin tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The bladder stores urine until it is eliminated from the body through a tube called the urethra.
How Do Kidney Stones Form?
Kidney stones can develop when crystals form in the urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. Most stones are made of calcium and oxalate, a substance found in nuts, leafy greens, chocolate, and vitamin C. The stones may either remain in the kidney or travel down the ureter.
Most stones are so small that they pass through the urinary system unnoticed. However, when a larger stone moves into the ureter, it causes irritation or blockage.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is sudden, sharp, cramping pain in the area of the kidney or lower abdomen. As the stone travels down the ureter closer to the bladder, the need to urinate more often or a burning sensation during urination may occ ur. Blood may appear in the urine. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.
