The presence of the kidney stone does not always cause symptoms, and can be discovered during routine exams such as radiography or ultrasound of the abdomen. Kidney stones usually cause symptoms when they reach the ureters or when they block 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 may 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 urge to urinate Yes No
- 6. Nausea or vomiting Yes No
- 7. Fever above 38º C Yes No
Infection of the urinary tract, causing fever, foul smelling urine and pus in the urine test, may occur in association with renal calculi, however, it is more likely in people who started some treatment in which there was manipulation or surgery of the urinary tract.
Generally, a calculation with a size smaller than 0.7 cm in diameter is usually eliminated spontaneously through the urine; however, in some cases, or in larger calculations, urologist-oriented surgical procedures may be required. Learn about some of the key forms of treatment for kidney stones.
How to confirm
To diagnose kidney stones, imaging of the urinary tract, such as radiography or abdominal ultrasound, are the most common tests. However, the examination that can more easily identify the kidney stone is the computed tomography of the abdomen, because it can obtain more definite images of the anatomy of the region.
In addition, during a renal colic crisis, the doctor may also order exams such as urine summary and renal function measurement to detect other changes, such as kidney function impairment or presence of infection, for example. Learn more about exams to confirm kidney stone.
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, for example.
The type can only be determined from the evaluation of a stone expelled, and this examination of analysis is usually done in cases in which it was necessary surgical procedure for its removal, or when there are kidney stones of repetition.
Who has more risk
The main known risk factors are:
- Low fluid intake;
- Diet low in calcium and with excess protein;
- Previous personal or family history of renal calculus;
- Obesity;
- Hypertension;
- Diabetes;
- Age between 20 and 50 years;
- Excess of elimination of calcium by the kidneys.
In addition, struvite stones are caused due to urinary infection by urease-producing germs, such as Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella . Estruvita calculi are usually of the type coraliform, that is, large stones that can occupy the anatomy of the kidneys and urinary tracts, and cause damage to the renal functioning.
