Your kidneys play a vital role in urinary health, and illnesses affecting them account for enough deaths to be considered the 9th leading cause of death in America and the 10th globally. Many people have kidney issues and don’t even realize it, but not all of these problems are fatal. Kidney stones, for example, are prevalent but rarely deadly.
Kidney stones are widespread enough that 1 in 10 people — including very young children — will experience them. Not only are stones widespread, but they also come in many varieties. To better understand how kidney stones affect your life, let’s explore their causes, signs, types, and treatment options.
Drs. Craig Herman and Steven Kester and the dedicated medical staff at Urology Center of Florida are here to assist residents of Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida with kidney stones and a range of other critical urological needs.
While it’s true that people of many age groups can get kidney stones, the condition is most prevalent in those who are 20-25. Sex and race play a role, as well; they are more common in men than women and in whites than blacks.
Many factors contribute to your risk of stones, including dehydration, obesity, high protein, diets high in salt or sugar, inflammatory bowel disease, hyperparathyroid conditions, and various medications. Gastric bypass surgery can also increase the risk. These are common symptoms of kidney stones:
Kidney stones form when your urine has more deposits of minerals, acids, and other substances than should be present. They form into crystalline or stonelike materials. Four types of stones can occur as a result of this process:
These stones are the result of a diet low in calcium and fluids or high in oxalates. The resulting calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones are more common than other types.
Struvite stones occur when repeated bacterial infections go untreated. The result is a large stone called a staghorn calculus, which may need to be removed surgically.
Cystinuria, in which the amino acid cystine leaks into the urine, causes this type of recurring stone. Cystinuria has a genetic component; if a family member has it, you’re more likely to have it also.
Many proteins, such as those found in beef, pork, fish, eggs, and poultry, contain uric acid, and consuming excessive amounts of these foods can lead to the formation of uric acid stones.
We have multiple options for managing kidney stones, depending on their size and number. These include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Simple steps, such as drinking more fluids and modifying your diet to reduce uric acid and increase calcium, can help reduce your risk of forming more stones. Additionally, antibiotics can treat struvite stones.
When these methods are unsuccessful, drugs to help relax the ureter and release the stones can help. If the stones are too large, they can be broken down with ultrasound treatments or removed through uteroscopy, a nonsurgical procedure, or surgery.
Kidney stones can be very unpleasant, but getting them under control is simple with some changes at home, medications, and medical treatments when all else fails. To find the right way to manage your kidney stones, call or message Urology Center of Florida today to schedule an appointment.
