KIDNEY STONE: what is it? How is the sign? When to see a doctor?

What is that???

Kidney stones (renal lithiasis, nephrolithiasis), are the hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys. The stones are made of mineral salts and acid.

Kidney stones have many causes and can affect your urinary tract. Often, rocks form when urine is concentrated, allowing minerals to crystallize and unite.

Kidney stones that are in the urinary tract are very painful, but stones usually do not cause permanent damage. You may not need painkillers and drink plenty of water to get Kidney Stones out through the urine. In other cases (for example, if stones are caught in the urinary tract or causing complications) surgery may be necessary.

Your doctor may suggest preventive treatment to reduce the risk of recurrent Kidney Stone if you are at high risk of having Kidney Stones again.

Symptoms and Signs

Kidney stones may not cause symptoms until it moves around your kidneys or into the ureters (the channel connecting the kidneys and bladder). At that time, signs and symptoms are experienced such as:

• Pain in the side of the abdomen and back, below the rib cage

• Pain that spreads to the lower abdomen and groin

• Pain that comes fluctuating

• Pain during urination

• Urinary pink, red or brown

• Bladder or foul-smelling urine

• Nausea and vomiting

• Urine more often than usual

• Fever and cold if infection occurs

• The pain caused by Kidney Stones can change as the stone moves

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have any of the above signs and symptoms. Get medical help immediately if you experience:

• The pain is so severe that you can not sit or find a comfortable position

• Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting

• Pain accompanied by fever and chills

• Blood in your urine

• Difficulty urinating