The presence of kidney stones does not always cause symptoms, and can be discovered during routine examinations, such as radiography or abdominal ultrasound. Usually kidney stones cause symptoms when they reach the ureters or when they obstruct the transition region between the kidneys and the ureters.
If you think you may have kidney stones, select your symptoms:
- 1. Severe pain in the lower back, which can limit movement Yes No
- 2. Pain radiating from the back to the groin Yes No
- 3. Pain when urinating Yes No
- 4. Pink, red or brown urine Yes No
- 5. Frequent desire to urinate Yes No
- 6. Feeling sick or vomiting Yes No
- 7. Fever above 38ยบ C Yes No
Infection of the urinary tract, causing fever, smelly urine and the presence of pus in the urine test, can arise in association with the kidney stone, however, it is more likely in people who started some treatment in which there was manipulation or surgery of the urinary tract.
Generally, a stone with a size smaller than 5 to 7 mm in diameter is usually spontaneously eliminated through the urine, however, in some cases, or in larger stones, it may be necessary to perform surgical procedures guided by the urologist. Know some of the main forms of treatment for kidney stones.
How to confirm
To diagnose the kidney stone, it is necessary to perform imaging exams of the urinary tract region, the most common being ultrasound. However, the exam that can more easily identify the kidney stone is computed tomography of the abdomen, as it manages to obtain more defined images of the anatomy of the region.
In addition, during a crisis of renal colic, the doctor may also order tests such as urine summary and measurement of renal function, to detect other changes, such as impairment of kidney function or the presence of infection, for example. Learn more about kidney stone tests.
What are the types
There are several types of kidney stones, which can be caused by the accumulation of different substances, such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid or struvite.
The type can only be determined from the evaluation of an expelled stone, and this analysis test is usually done in cases where a surgical procedure was necessary for its removal, or when there are repeated kidney stones.
Who is most at risk
The main known risk factors are:
- Low fluid intake; Diet low in calcium and with excess protein and salt; Previous personal or family history of kidney stones; Obesity; Hypertension; Diabetes; Gout; Excess calcium elimination by the kidneys.
In addition, struvite stones are caused by urinary tract infection by urease-producing germs such as Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella . Struvite stones are usually of the coral-like type, that is, large stones that can occupy the anatomy of the kidneys and urinary tract, and cause damage to kidney function.
