My Own Happiness Project

My Own Happiness Project
because happiness begins inside and flows out...

20080328

what you need to know about kidney stone...

anatomically incorrect... I believe my urethra is much much longer than this...

WHAT IS A KIDNEY STONE?

Kidney stone is a result of crystallization of certain minerals that are excreted by the kidney in the urinary tract. There are many causes that lead to formation of kidney stones, which I’ll discuss in the next heading. It is estimated that 1 in every 20 people get kidney stones at some point of their life. If you don’t already have one, try counting the people around to see the chances of you joining the club… When doctors talk to each other, they like to action and say nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis instead. Gaya bah… actually it’s the same.

WHAT CAUSES KIDNEY STONES?

2 conditions that can cause the formation of stones... first if there’s a decrease in urine volume… and the second if there’s too much of the stone forming substance in the urine.

Actually, stone will form when there’s too little urine flow in the kidney. Number 1 reason is always dehydration due to poor fluid intake, which means there isn’t enough fluid to make urine. Other than that, the fluid could be enough but urine flow is obstructed, by whatever reason (like another stone blocking the passage) that will also lead to stone formation.

Below are more conditions that may lead or associated with stone formation…

Gout. So it’s not just all about bone pain and swollen ankles. Gout is actually caused by crystalisation of a certain substance in the joint space, and these substance can also become kidney stone.

Too much calcium (or hypercalciusia) in the urine, usually from food, like overdosing yourself with Calcium Tabs.

Problem with parathyroid gland, or problem with the kidney itself. Stones are also associated with some inherited disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

People who has bad bowel problem… or inflammatory bowel disease… or if one has had an intestinal operation before.

People who are taking diuretics for blood pressure, or too frequently downing antacids for stomach upset has increased risk of getting stones as well

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY STONES?

Pain. That’s number one.

Some people may have a silent stone (entah mangkali kebas sudah di bawah dia tu) but the pain is classically described as excruciating, cramping pain in the lower back, groin, and towards the abdomen.

If you can imagine a laundry-maid twisting a towel to squeeze water out, that’s how it feels like at my side when the pain comes. The imaginary maid keeps on twisting and releasing an imaginary towel on my side (which is in fact in reality my ureters) and this goes on and on for hours.

In medical jargon there are a few ways to describe pain, and this is characteristic of what we call colicky pain. It may be so severe that it is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Another obvious symptom is blood in the urine. It is caused by traumatic passage of the stone along our delicate and sensitive ureters.

HOW ARE KIDNEY STONES DIAGNOSED?

Usually the doctor will suspect kidney stone is the classical symptoms (pain and pain characters) are present, and by properly asking for sickness history he can get the diagnosis mostly right.

But nowadays our smartypants clients are getting more demanding and won’t be satisfied if not subjected to a few blood test or x-rays before getting the diagnosis.

Only 10% of the common kidney stones can be seen by normal x-ray, that’s why another more canggih kind of x-ray needs to be taken after a type of dye is inhected into our bloodstream. The dye will be excreted in the kidney, and it will be visible on x-ray. If the bugger is present, it’s outline or obstruction can be seen along the urinary path.

Ultrasound scan can also be applied to track the offending bugger down, but this technique needs more skills and experience to pull off.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY STONES?

Most kidney stones eventually pass through the urinary tract on their own within 48 hours, with ample fluid intake. Medications can be prescribed to help with the pain..

For kidney stones which do not pass on their own, a procedure called lithotripsy is often used. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up a large stone into smaller pieces that can then pass through the urinary system.

Surgical techniques have also been developed to remove kidney stones. This may be done through a small cut in the skin or through an instrument known as an ureteroscope passed through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter (oh my, I have gone through this before, and it’s not nice…)

HOW CAN KIDNEY STONES BE PREVENTED?

Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid kidney stones in the first place. It can be especially helpful to drink more water. Water helps to flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.

So your mommy was right all along… drink water, drink water, drink water…

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