Most people believe that kidney stones only occur due to severe dehydration. While this is true, dehydration is not the only cause; genetics and an unhealthy diet may also increase your risk. If you are experiencing debilitating pain from kidney stones, Michael Rotman MD may have an effective and pain-relieving solution for your predicament.
What are the factors contributing to kidney stones?
Anyone can get kidney stones, but some people have a higher risk of getting them. Kidney stones refer to the accumulation of solid crystals of salts and minerals in your kidneys. Dehydration is the primary trigger of kidney stones. Individuals living in warm, dry climates with the scorching sun experience dehydration more often, increasing their risk of developing kidney stones. If you also have a personal or family history of kidney stones, you may be at risk. Your lifestyle can also contribute to the disease. For instance, obesity and an unhealthy diet are highly associated with kidney stones.
What different forms of kidney stones can you develop?
There are numerous forms of kidney stones, and identifying the type you have may help identify the cause and take measures to minimize your risk of reoccurrence of this disease. If you pass a kidney stone, save it and take it to your health provider for analysis. The different forms of kidney stones include:
- Struvite stones
Struvite stones are due to a urinary tract infection. These stones may not cause any significant symptoms until they are large and dangerous for your health.
- Uric acid stones
Uric acid stones are due to dehydration resulting from malabsorption or chronic diarrhea. Diabetic people may also be at a high risk of developing these stones.
- Calcium stones
Calcium stones are the most prevalent form of kidney stones, occurring in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a substance your body absorbs from your diet; your liver may also produce it. Intestinal bypass surgery and high amounts of vitamin D may increase the concentration of oxalate in your urine.
When should you inform your doctor about kidney stones?
A kidney stone rarely causes symptoms until it moves to your ureters, where they may accumulate, blocking your urine flow. Continuous accumulation of these stones may cause the swelling of your kidney, which can be uncomfortable and excruciatingly painful. At this stage, you may experience sharp stabbing pain on your side, pain traveling from your lower abdomen to the groin, and a burning sensation or pain when urinating. You may also have brown, pink, or red urine with a foul smell. Pain resulting from kidney stones may shift from one location to another, increasing in severity as the stone changes position in our urinary tract. Inform Dr. Rotman if you have trouble passing urine or notice blood or an abnormal color in your urine.
He may conduct a comprehensive physical exam, review your health history and discuss your symptoms before providing a diagnosis. He may also use digital imaging such as CT scans to get a clear visual of your urinary tract.
Call Dr. Rotman or visit the website to create an appointment for comprehensive care and treatment of kidney stones.