What do kidney stones look like

They are most likely to occur in men between ages 20 to Calcium can combine with other substances to form the stone. Oxalate is the most common of these.

Oxalate is present in certain foods such as spinach. It is also found in vitamin C supplements. Diseases of the small intestine increase your risk for these stones. Calcium stones can also form from combining with phosphate or carbonate.

Other types of stones include: Cystine stones can form in people who have cystinuria. This disorder runs in families. It affects both men and women. Struvite stones are mostly found in men or women who have repeated urinary tract infections. They can occur with gout or chemotherapy.

Other substances, such as certain medicines, also can form stones. Symptoms You may not have symptoms until the stones move down the tubes ureters through which urine empties into your bladder. The main symptom is severe pain that starts and stops suddenly: Pain may be felt in the belly area or side of the back. Pain may move to the groin area groin pain , testicles testicle pain in men, and labia vaginal pain in women. Other symptoms can include: Abnormal urine color Blood in the urine Chills Fever Nausea and vomiting.

Exams and Tests The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include: Blood tests to check calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and electrolyte levels Kidney function tests Urinalysis to see crystals and look for red blood cells in urine Examination of the stone to determine the type Stones or a blockage can be seen on: Abdominal CT scan Abdominal x-rays Intravenous pyelogram IVP Kidney ultrasound Retrograde pyelogram.

Treatment Treatment depends on the type of stone and the severity of your symptoms. Kidney stones that are small most often pass through your system on their own. Your urine should be strained so the stone can be saved and tested. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to produce a large amount of urine. This will help the stone pass.

Pain can be very bad. Over-the-counter pain medicines for example, ibuprofen and naproxen , either alone or along with narcotics, can be very effective. These medicines can include: Allopurinol for uric acid stones Antibiotics for struvite stones Diuretics water pills Phosphate solutions Sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate Water pills thiazide diuretics Tamsulosin to relax the ureter and help the stone pass Surgery is often needed if: The stone is too large to pass on its own.

The stone is growing. The stone is blocking urine flow and causing an infection or kidney damage. The pain cannot be controlled. Today, most treatments are much less invasive than in the past. Lithotripsy is used to remove stones slightly smaller than one half an inch 1. It uses sound or shock waves to break up stones into tiny fragments. Then, the stone fragments leave the body in the urine. It is also called extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or ESWL. Procedures performed by passing a special instrument through a small surgical cut in your skin on your back and into your kidney or ureters are used for large stones, or when the kidneys or surrounding areas are incorrectly formed.

The stone is removed with a tube endoscope. Ureteroscopy may be used for stones in the lower urinary tract. A laser is used to break up the stone. Rarely, open surgery nephrolithotomy may be needed if other methods do not work or are not possible. Which steps you take depend on the type of stone you have, but they may include: Drinking extra water and other liquids Eating more of some foods and cutting back on other foods Taking medicines to help prevent stones Taking medicines to help you pass a stone anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha-blockers.

Outlook Prognosis Kidney stones are painful, but most of the time can be removed from the body without causing lasting damage. Kidney stones often come back. This occurs more often if the cause is not found and treated. You are at risk for: Urinary tract infection Kidney damage or scarring if treatment is delayed for too long. Possible Complications Complication of kidney stones may include the obstruction of the ureter acute unilateral obstructive uropathy.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if you have symptoms of a kidney stone: Severe pain in your back or side that will not go away Blood in your urine Fever and chills Vomiting Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy A burning feeling when you urinate If you have been diagnosed with blockage from a stone, passage must be confirmed either by capture in a strainer during urination or by follow-up x-ray.

Prevention If you have a history of stones: Drink plenty of fluids 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to produce enough urine. Read on to discover some early signs and symptoms of kidney stones, along with their…. Kidney stones are crystalized minerals that form in the kidneys. They can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. In this article, we look at six natural…. Kidney stones are an accumulation of chemicals or minerals that form in the kidney or ureter.

They can cause pain and discomfort. Read on to find out…. Kidney stones can develop due to a buildup of concentrated minerals in the kidneys. We explain how several foods may help prevent kidney stones from…. In this article, we discuss 10 ways to…. What do kidney stones look like? Pictures What are they? Types Symptoms Causes Passing kidney stones Medical treatment Prevention Risk factors Diagnosis Seeing a doctor Summary Kidney stones are little crystals that form into pebble-like stones in the kidneys, and some may block the urinary tract.

What are they? What are the different types of kidney stones? Passing kidney stones. Medical treatment. Type of kidney stone Nutrition advice Calcium oxalate stones reduce the intake of oxalates, such as nuts and nut products, legumes, rhubarb, spinach, and wheat bran reduce the intake of sodium limit animal protein, such as dairy products, eggs, fish, and meat Calcium phosphate stones reduce the intake of sodium limit animal protein, such as dairy products, eggs, fish, and meat limit legumes, soy foods, nuts, and sunflower seeds Uric acid stones limit animal protein, such as dairy products, eggs, fish, and meat limit legumes, soy foods, nuts, and sunflower seeds eat a healthful diet and increase physical activity if a person has obesity Cystine stones stay hydrated.

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Page last reviewed: 30 April Next review due: 30 April They're quite common, with more than 1 in 10 people affected. Symptoms of kidney stones You may not notice if you have small kidney stones. Larger kidney stones can cause several symptoms, including: pain in the side of your tummy abdomen severe pain that comes and goes feeling sick or vomiting Find out more about the symptoms of kidney stones When to get urgent medical help You should contact a GP or NHS immediately if: you're in severe pain you have a high temperature you have an episode of shivering or shaking you have blood in your urine What causes kidney stones?

Waste products in the blood can occasionally form crystals that collect inside the kidneys. Over time, the crystals may build up to form a hard stone-like lump. This is more likely to happen if you: do not drink enough fluids are taking some types of medication have a medical condition that raises the levels of certain substances in your urine Find out more about the causes of kidney stones After a kidney stone has formed, your body will try to pass it out when you pee.

Treating and preventing kidney stones Most kidney stones are small enough to be passed in your pee, and it may be possible to treat the symptoms at home with medication.