What is a Kidney Stone? What are its Symptoms and Diagnosis?
Kidneys are a pair of organs that filter waste products from blood. Certain chemicals in our body react to form stones in kidneys called kidney stones. While small kidney stones pass through urinary tract system without signs or symptoms, larger kidney stones cause trauma to ureters and urethra while passing through the urinary tract.
Kidney stone symptoms include fluctuating pain in the side below ribs which can last 20 to 60 minutes. This pain then radiates from the side to the lower abdomen. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, pain on urination and persistent urge to urinate. In other cases, recurring urinary tract infections occurs. Diagnosis is done using X-rays.
Blood analysis may be done to check excessive calcium or uric acid in blood, the two common reasons for kidney stones. Urine testing may also be done. Different imaging tests like CT scan may be required to determine presence of stones. Other techniques include ultrasound and/or intravenous pyelography. Pain and symptom evaluation is done through medical history and physical examination. Check with your physician if you feel you have these symptoms.
Filed under: Natural Remedies on January 9th, 2010
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