Nephrolithiasis, or Renal calculi, is a urinary system disease commonly known as “Kidney Stones.” The foremost responsibility of the kidney is the filtration of waste products from the blood or body. The abnormality initiates when the kidney doesn’t filter the waste, including excess minerals and salt. These minerals and salts accumulate in the kidney, forming a kidney stone.
Size of the Kidney Stone
Stone can be as small as a drop of water (less than 1 millimeter) and as large as a golf ball (up to 3 centimeters). It depends on the nature of minerals and salts that accumulates in the kidney.
Is Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) a common condition?
Approximately 1 million people visit Kidney Units annually to treat kidney stones. Kidney stones are more common among people aged 30-60 years. However, the prevalence of kidney stones is more significant in men than in women.
Physiology of the Urinary System
The Urinary System works as a cleaner of the body. It is responsible for filtering the waste products from the blood and the body to make urine. The system includes different organs, including a pair of kidneys, a pair of ureters (two tubes that connects a pair of kidneys to the bladder), a urinary bladder, and a Urethra.
Female Urinary System
Female Urinary System
Male Urinary System
Male Urinary System
Can Kidney Stone Travels in the Urinary System?
Stone or a crystal present in the kidney can cause infections there. Sometimes it travels to the ureter and reaches the urethra, where it can block the passage of urine, resulting in a more painful condition. In addition, tiny size crystals can excrete out in urine, while if the crystal is large, it can create complications, including infections.
Types of Nephrolithiasis
The type of Nephrolithiasis (Kidney Stones) depends on the nature of mineral and salt depositions. There are different minerals and salts present in the kidney that comes from the food we eat. Depending on the deposit following are the types of kidney stones.
- Calcium Stones (80% of stones are of this type)
- Uric Acid Stones (5-10% of stones are of this type)
- Struvite/ Infection Stones (10% of stones are of this type)
- Cystine Stones (less than 1% of stones are of this type)
Calcium Stones:
It is the most common type of kidney stone. Calcium stones can be of two kinds.
- Calcium Oxalates:
This kind of stones forms when calcium and oxalate combine and forms a crystal. It happens when the consumption of calcium and fluids increases. The Liver naturally produces oxalate in the body. Some fruits and vegetables, e.g., dates, oranges, potatoes, and carrots, also have high contents of oxalate in it. Excess consumption of such fruits/ vegetables results in Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones.
- Calcium Phosphate:
It is the less common kind of calcium stone. People with metabolic conditions are prone to having calcium phosphate kidney stones, e.g., Renal Tubular Acidosis. It can also occur due to bacteria or certain medications used for seizures.
Uric Acid Stones:
It is the second most common kind of kidney stone. Excess consumption of a high-protein diet and high purine intake leads to uric acid accumulation in the kidneys. In addition, excess loss of fluid from the body due to chronic diarrhea can also lead to Uric Acid Stones.
Struvite/ Infection Stones:
These stones are less common and mostly present in people with upper UTIs. These stones grow rapidly and increase in size with time.
Cystine Stones:
It is the least common kind of kidney stone. It is an inherited metabolic disorder in which excess cystine (a specific amino acid) is present in urine. It can affect you if you have a family history of Cystine stones.
Causes of Nephrolithiasis
Different types of Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) have different causes. While the common include the following
- Less intake of fluid
- Excess consumption of food that contains too many salts and minerals.
- Obesity
- Weight Loss Surgery
- Medications
- Bowel Conditions
- Family History
- Exercise (too much or too less)
Symptoms of Nephrolithiasis
Sometimes kidney stone doesn’t show signs and symptoms unless the complications increase. For example, when the size of the stone grows, it creates a muscle spasm. Some other symptoms include
- Severe and sharp pain in the lower back
- Constant stomach aches
- Cloudy appearance of urine
- Blood in urine
- Dull aches that come and go like a wave
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Fever or chills
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain radiates to the lower abdomen and groin region.
- Bad smell of the urine
Risk Factors of Nephrolithiasis
Some factors enhance the risk of diseases. These includes
- Family History
- Poor Diet
- Dehydration
- Medications and Supplements (that contain high content of oxalate/protein/ calcium)
- Metabolic Disorders
- Obesity
- Polycystic kidney disease
- GIT diseases
Prevention of Nephrolithiasis
Nephrolithiasis can be prevented by focusing on lifestyle habits and diet. These habits include
- Drinking Plenty of water: It will increase urine frequency, resulting in more waste excretion and making the urine less concentrated (from darker to lighter color).
- Less intake of food with high Oxalate Content: Eating a balanced diet lesser the chances of getting kidney stones.
- Less consumption of calcium and phosphorous: Balancing the intake of calcium and phosphorous can help reduce the risk of calcium stones.
- Exercise regularly: Making it a habit can prevent several diseases.
- Lose Weight: If you are obese, your body will attract several diseases, one of them is Nephrolithiasis.
FAQS
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