Most kidney stones eventually pass from the kidney through the ureter and bladder and finally through the urethra on their own. However, treatment is often required for pain control from kidney stones as they pass. The consumption of ample fluids helps facilitate the passage of kidney stones, but even with plentiful fluid intake, most people require some type of medications for pain control.
一个kidney stone is a hard, crystalline mineral material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones are a common cause ofblood in the urine(hematuria) and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones are sometimes called renal calculi.
The condition of having kidney stones is termed nephrolithiasis. Having stones at any location in the urinary tract is referred to as urolithiasis, and the term ureterolithiasis is used to refer to stones located in the ureters.
一个nyone may develop a kidney stone, but people with certain diseases and conditions (see below) or those who are taking certain medications are more susceptible to their development. Urinary tract stones are more common in men than in women. Most urinary stones develop in people 20 to 49 years of age, and those who are prone to multiple attacks of kidney stones usually develop their first stones during the second or third decade of life. People who have already had more than one kidney stone are prone to developing further stones.
在工业化国家的居民,肾tones are more common than stones in the bladder. The opposite is true for residents of developing areas of the world, where bladder stones are the most common. This difference is believed to be related to dietary factors. People who live in the southern or southwestern regions of the U.S. have a higher rate of kidney stone formation, possibly due to inadequate water intake leading todehydrationthan those living in other areas. Over the last few decades, the percentage of people with kidney stones in the U.S. has been increasing, most likely related to theobesityepidemic.
一个family history of kidney stones is also a risk factor for developing kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common in Asians and Caucasians than in Native Americans, Africans, or African Americans.
Uric acid kidney stones are more common in people with chronically elevated uric acid levels in their blood (hyperuricemia).
一个small number ofpregnantwomen develop kidney stones, and there is some evidence thatpregnancy-related changes may increase the risk of stone formation. Factors that may contribute to the stone formation duringpregnancyinclude a slowing of the passage of urine due to increasedprogesteronelevels and diminished fluid intake due to a decreasing bladder capacity from the enlarging uterus. Healthy pregnant women also have a mild increase in their urinary calcium excretion. However, it remains unclear whether the changes of pregnancy are directly responsible for kidney stone formation or if these women have another underlying factor that predisposes them to kidney stone formation.
Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine.
Dehydration from the reduced fluid intake or strenuousexercisewithout adequate fluid replacement increases the risk of kidney stones. Obstruction of the flow of urine can also lead to stone formation. In this regard, climate may be a risk factor for kidney stone development, since residents of hot and dry areas are more likely to become dehydrated and susceptible to stone formation.
Kidney stones can also result from infection in the urinary tract. These are known as struvite or infection stones. Metabolic abnormalities, includinginheriteddisorders of metabolism, can alter the composition of the urine and increase an individual's risk of stone formation.
一个number of different medical conditions can lead to an increased risk of developing kidney stones:
More Health News »While some kidney stones may not produce symptoms (known as "silent" stones), people who have kidney stones often report the sudden onset of excruciating, cramping pain in their low back and/or side, groin, or abdomen. Changes in body position do not relieve this pain.
The abdominal, groin, and/orback paintypically waxes and wanes in severity, characteristic of colicky pain (the pain is sometimes referred to as renalcolic). It may be so severe that it is often accompanied bynauseaandvomiting．The pain has been described by many as the worst pain of their lives, even worse than the pain ofchildbirthor broken bones.
Kidney stones also characteristically causebloody urine．如果感染是总统ent in the urinary tract along with the stones, there may befeverandchills．Sometimes, symptoms such as
The diagnosis of kidney stones is suspected when the typical pattern of symptoms is noted and when other possible causes of abdominal or flank pain are excluded. Which is the ideal test to diagnose kidney stones is controversial. Imaging tests are usually done to confirm the diagnosis. Many patients who go to the emergency room will have a non-contrast CT scan done. This can be done rapidly and will help rule out other causes for flank orabdominal pain．However, a CT scan exposes patients to significantradiation, and recently, ultrasound in combination with plain abdominalX-rayshas been shown to be effective in diagnosing kidney stones.
In pregnant women or those who should avoid radiation exposure, an ultrasound examination may be done to help establish the diagnosis.
Most kidney stones eventually pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours, with ample fluid intake.Ketorolac(Toradol), an injectable anti-inflammatory drug, and narcotics may be used for pain control whenover-the-counterpain control medications are not effective. Toradol,aspirin, andNSAIDsmust be avoided if lithotripsy is to be done because of the increased risk of bleeding or if there is impaired kidney function. Intravenous pain medications can be given whennauseaandvomitingare present.
一个lthough there are no proven home remedies to dissolve kidney stones, home treatment may be considered for patients who have a known history of kidney stones. Since most kidney stones, given time, will pass through the ureter to the bladder on their own, treatment is directed toward the control of symptoms. Home care in this case includes the consumption of plenty of fluids.一个cetaminophen(Tylenol) may be used as pain medication if there is no contraindication to its use. If further pain medication is needed, stronger narcotic pain medications may be recommended.
Several factors influence the ability to pass a stone. These include the size of the person, prior stone passage,prostate enlargement, pregnancy, and the size of the stone. A 4 mm stone has an 80% chance of passage while a 5 mm stone has a 20% chance. Stones larger than 9 mm to 10 mm rarely pass without specific treatment.
Some medications have been used to increase the passage rates of kidney stones. These includecalcium channel blockerssuch asnifedipine(Adalat,Procardia,一个feditab,Nifediac) and alpha-blockers such astamsulosin(Flomax). Thesedrugsmay be prescribed to some people who have stones that do not rapidly pass through the urinary tract.
For kidney stones that do not pass on their own, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. In this procedure,shockwaves are used to break up a large stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary system.
Surgical techniques have also been developed to remove kidney stones when other treatment methods are not effective. This may be done through a small incision in the skin (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) or through an instrument known as a ureteroscope passed through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter.
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions &bwin 主站 and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place when possible. It can be especially helpful to drink more water since low fluid intake and dehydration are major risk factors for kidney stone formation.
Depending on the cause of the kidney stones and an individual's medical history, changes in the diet or medications are sometimes recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing further kidney stones. If one has passed a stone, it can be particularly helpful to have it analyzed in a laboratory to determine the precise type of stone so specificpreventionmeasures can be considered.
People who have a tendency to form calcium oxalate kidney stones may be advised to limit their consumption of foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, rhubarb, Swiss chard, beets, wheat germ, and peanuts. Also drinking lemon juice or lemonade may be helpful in preventing kidney stones.
Most kidney stones will pass on their own, and successful treatments have been developed to remove larger stones or stones that do not pass. People who have had a kidney stone remain at risk for future stones throughout their lives.
For some people who have had many kidney stones, home care may be appropriate. When passing a kidney stone, drinking lots of fluid is important. In fact, this is the most important home care measure. Medications may help control the pain (as described previously). However, if it is the first time one has had symptoms suggestive of a kidney stone, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Health SolutionsFrom Our Sponsors
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
Testicular pain, or pain in the testicle or testicles are caused by a variety of diseases or conditions such as testicular trauma, testicular torsion, varicoceles, testicular cancer, epididymitis caused by infections such as STDs, and orchitis.
Common symptoms of pain in the testicle or testicles are abdominal pain, urinary pain or incontinence, fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the scrotum or testicle. Treatment depends on the cause of the testicular pain or pain in the testicles.
