Kidney And Urinary System

There are several conditions that can contribute to the formation of kidney stones: A high concentration of stone-forming mineral salts in the urine. When high levels of stone-forming substances such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, or struvite are present in the urine, one or more crystals may form and become trapped within the urinary tract. The

Stones may form in most portions of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Most stones are formed in the kidneys and are referred to as upper urinary tract stones Other stones can form in the ureters or bladder and are called lower urinary tract stones Upper Urinary Tract Stones Upper urinary tract stones are

The doctor will make a diagnosis of kidney stones with: An assessment of the person’s clinical history A physical examination A laboratory study of the person’s blood and urine A possible follow-up with an X-ray evaluation Clinical History The doctor will ask questions in order to determine a person’s clinical history, which can help to

Kidney stones may be treated with: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy Laser lithotripsy Other methods Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) ESWL focuses high-energy shock waves from a source outside the body and uses this energy to crush the stone into tiny pieces. These pieces are then small enough to pass out of the

Part of the treatment of kidney stones involves preventing them from happening again. Preventive measures include: Drinking a large amount of water Changes in diet Medication Drinking A Large Amount Of Water Drinking large volumes of water each day will dilute the mineral or stone-forming salts in the urine. Many experts advise people who are

In recent years, there have been dramatic improvements in how kidney stones are treated. Kidney stones now can be broken into tiny pieces and eliminated from the body without the need for any type of surgery. Avoiding traditional surgery means faster healing time, shorter hospital stays, and reduced medical expenses. Furthermore, stones can be prevented

Here are some frequently asked questions related to kidney stones. Q: I heard that where I live could affect whether I develop kidney stones. Is this true? A: Kidney stones do occur more frequently in hot climates. In fact, a certain area in the southern part of the U.S. is dubbed the “stone belt” because kidney

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to kidney stones. Kidney stones are fairly common; 10 percent of all people will experience a kidney stone at some time during life. Kidney stones are accumulations of mineral salts and other substances that form solid masses of various sizes within the kidneys or other portions of the urinary tract. Calcium

Here are definitions of medical terms related to kidney stones. Acidity: A condition in which the urine becomes more acid than normal. Alkalinity: A condition in which the urine becomes more alkaline, and consequently less acid, than normal. Amino acids: Chemical compounds that are the main components of protein and are used by the cells of the body