What causes kidney stones? - Arash Shadman

Summary

This video explains kidney stones, their formation, types, and treatment options. Kidney stones form when certain compounds in urine crystallize, leading to painful blockages. The most common type, calcium oxalate, makes up 80% of cases, but other types like calcium phosphate and uric acid can also occur. Symptoms include intense pain, blood in urine, and nausea. While small stones may pass naturally, larger ones require treatments like shockwave therapy or surgery. Preventative measures, including drinking plenty of water and avoiding high-oxalate foods, can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Takeaways

• 😀 The largest kidney stone on record weighed over a kilogram and measured 17 cm in diameter.
• 😀 Kidney stones are formed from crystals in the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra and can be extremely painful.
• 😀 Urine contains compounds like calcium, sodium, oxalate, uric acid, and phosphate, which can crystallize under certain conditions.
• 😀 Calcium oxalate is the most common type of kidney stone, accounting for about 80% of cases.
• 😀 Kidney stones can go undetected until they start moving, causing pain as they scrape the walls of the urinary tract.
• 😀 Symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, and a burning sensation during urination.
• 😀 Smaller kidney stones (under 5 mm) can often pass on their own with increased water intake.
• 😀 Larger kidney stones may require medications like alpha blockers or potassium citrate to help them pass or dissolve.
• 😀 For medium-sized stones (up to 10 mm), extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can be used to break them into smaller pieces.
• 😀 If a kidney stone is too large to be treated with sound waves, surgical procedures like laser treatment or incisions may be necessary.
• 😀 To prevent kidney stones, it's important to drink plenty of water, limit high-oxalate foods like spinach and beets, and consume calcium-rich foods to prevent absorption of oxalate.

Q & A

What is the largest kidney stone ever recorded?

The largest kidney stone ever recorded weighed more than a kilogram and had a diameter of 17 centimeters.

How do kidney stones form in the body?

Kidney stones form when compounds in urine, such as calcium, sodium, potassium, oxalate, uric acid, and phosphate, crystallize. This can happen when these particles become too concentrated or the urine becomes too acidic or basic.

What is the most common type of kidney stone?

The most common type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate, which accounts for about 80% of all kidney stones.

What are the less common types of kidney stones?

Less common types of kidney stones are made of calcium phosphate or uric acid. There are also rare stones made of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite), typically caused by bacterial infections, as well as those linked to genetic disorders or certain medications.

How do kidney stones cause pain?

Kidney stones cause pain when they move through the kidney and into the ureter, scratching the walls of the urinary tract. The nerve endings in the walls transmit intense pain signals, and the scratches can also cause blood to appear in the urine.

What are some symptoms of kidney stones?

Common symptoms of kidney stones include excruciating pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and a burning sensation while urinating.

What is the treatment for small kidney stones?

For small kidney stones, less than five millimeters in diameter, the usual treatment involves drinking large amounts of water to help pass the stone. Painkillers may also be recommended.

What medications can help with kidney stone removal?

Medications like alpha blockers can help relax the muscles in the ureter, making it easier for the stone to pass. Potassium citrate can help dissolve stones by making the urine less acidic.

What is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy?

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a treatment for medium-sized kidney stones where high-intensity soundwaves are used to break the stone into smaller pieces, making it easier for the stone to pass out of the body.

What are the options for treating larger kidney stones?

For larger kidney stones, more invasive treatments may be necessary, including the placement of a stent in the ureter, using lasers to break the stone, or surgically removing the stone through an incision in the back or groin.

How can kidney stones be prevented?

To prevent kidney stones, it's recommended to drink plenty of water, which helps dilute the compounds that form stones. Limiting foods high in oxalate, such as potato chips, spinach, rhubarb, and beets, can also be helpful. Additionally, consuming calcium from food can help prevent the formation of stones by binding to oxalate in the digestive tract.