Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are made from crystallized materials that form rock like objects typically in the kidneys.  These rock like objects are called kidney stones and are very painful to the individual.  While it is true the most kidney stones actually form in the kidneys it is possible for them to form elsewhere in the upper urinary tract.  The stones may stay in the kidneys and grow or they may become dislodged from the kidneys and pass down the urinary tract.  They pass from the kidneys, down the ureter, into the bladder and eventually out the urethra.  The majority of kidney stones are calcium based, typically calcium oxalate.  It is possible for them to be of other materials such as uric acid.

Types of Kidney Stones

Calcium is the basis of most kidney stones and of the calcium based kidney stones, calcium oxalate is the most common.  Calcium oxalate kidney stones typically form when there is not enough water to flush the excess calcium deposits from the kidneys.  Calcium oxalate kidney stones can also be formed if there is excess calcium in the blood that is being filtered by the kidneys.  Calcium oxalate kidney stones show up on standard X-rays.  The look like small oval objects in the middle of the X-rays away from all bones.  Not all kidney stones show up on an X-ray.

If a kidney stone is formed of uric acid then they will not show up on the X-ray.  Uric acid kidney stones are less likely to occur than calcium oxalate kidney stones.  Uric acid kidney stones form the same manner as other kidney stones.  They form from an excess of uric acid in the kidneys.  If there is an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood the kidneys will work to filter it out.  If the body does not have enough hydration to flush the excess minerals from the kidneys they you get the formation of uric acid stones.  It is also possible to get uric acid kidney stones if there is so much excess uric acid that the body cannot completely flush it from the kidneys.

Eliminating Kidney Stones

Not all kidney stones cause pain when they pass from the body.  It is also impossible to tell if a kidney stone will cause pain when it passes or not.  The western doctors will typically recommend letting the kidney stone pass without any intervention.  If the passage of the kidney stone is painful then pain medication is prescribed.  It is only if the kidney stone is to large to pass that intervention typically occurs.  If the stone will not pass then the doctor will recommend one of four procedures: Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy, Ureteroscopy, Pecutaneous Neprostolithotomy, or open surgery.