Nephrolithiasis And The Occurrence Of Kidney

Stones

At some point in their lives, about 20 people develop a kidney stone. The hard,
crystalline mineral material formed in the kidney or urinary tract is called a kidney
stone. Kidney stones are considered as the common causes of blood in the urine
and frequent severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. These are also termed as
renal calculi.

When there is a decrease in urine volume or an excess of stone-forming substances

in the urine, kidney stones are formed. The most common kind of kidney stone
carries calcium combined with either oxalate or phosphate. Other chemical
compounds that form stones in the urinary tract has uric acid and the amino acid
cystine.

Conditions and activities that intensify the risk of kidney stones are dehydration
from reduced fluid intake and strenuous exercises without adequate fluid
replacement. Obstruction to the flow of urine also leads to stone formation.
Infection in the urinary tract can also form it and termed as struvite or infection
stones.

The risk of developing kidney stones is higher among men. In addition, its
prevalence is higher on Caucasian men compared to blacks. The prevalence starts
to rise at their age of 40s and continues to rise until their 70s.

People who have obtained more than one kidney stones are prone to develop more
stones. Another risk factor in developing kidney stones is family history.

A variety of medical conditions also leads to the increase of risk in developing

kidney stones. Gout is a result of an increased amount of uric acid in the urine that
contributes to the formation of uric acid stones. Hypercalciuria or high calcium in
the urine, which is an inherited condition can also develop stones more than half of
cases. This condition is where much calcium is taken from food and excreted into
the urine that may develop calcium phosphate or calcium oxalate stones.
There are other conditions associated to the increased risk of kidney stones. These
are hyperparathyroidism, kidney diseases like renal tubular acidosis, and some
inherited metabolic conditions such as cystinuria and hyperoxaluria.

Chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and people with inflammatory bowel
disease are related with the formation of kidney stones too.

My name is Ralph A Highshaw, MD and I provide the best possible care using the
most up-to-date diagnostic testing, treatments, and surgical procedures. You can
either contact me or check www.SouthernCaliforniaUrologist.com if you would need
any urological services in reference to Nephrolithiasis or kidney stones.