“Review on Kidney Stones”

Abstract

Kidney stones (renal lithiasis) are small, hard deposits of mineral and acid salts developed from crystals that separate from the urine within the urinary tract. The most common type of stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. They can vary in size and location. Very small stones can pass through the urinary system without causing problems. However, larger stones, when traveling from the kidney through the ureters to the bladder, can cause severe pain called colic. The pathogenetic mechanisms of kidney stone formation are complex and involve both metabolic and environmental risk factors. The pain kidney stones cause typically starts in side or back, just below your ribs, and radiates to lower abdomen and groin. Kidney stones are easy to diagnose for those with a sudden onset of pain, blood in the urine and stones that show on x-ray. Studies have shown that 15% of those with a stone develop another within a year and 33% within 5 years. These rates can be halved by drinking more that 2 liters of fluid each day.

KEYWORDS: Kidney stones, Urinary system, Water, Pain, Diagnosis