Kidney stones are small aggregations of minerals that form in the urinary tract. Often their presence is linked to a diet which is associated with an incongruous arrangement of genetic origin. Sometimes kidney stones are asymptomatic and are discovered by chance during an X-ray control. Other times an acute and violent pain (renal colic) strongly indicates their presence.
WHAT ARE kidney stones?
Kidney stones are deposits of hard consistency which are formed by precipitation of minerals found in urine (calcium, oxalate, phosphate and uric acid). The formation of a calculation is favored by rising concentrations of these electrolytes or reduction of the liquid that keeps them in solution (low volume of urine).
When the salt is first formed crystals clump together, and then finally microtones calculations that can reach the size of a golf ball. Precisely because of their shape and chemical composition of kidney stones can move from their place of origin and go to hamper the flow of urine. This barrier, in addition to causing an intense pain often favors the development of urinary tract infection and, if it persists for long periods, increases the possibility of kidney damage, to develop progressive renal failure.
Normally, urine contains substances that prevent the formation of stones, but not always, these compounds are present in adequate quantities or effectively perform their function. Today we know two categories: macromolecular (protein in nature) and macromolecular such as citrate or magnesium. Even due to their colloidal properties favor the maintenance of the salts in solution by removing the kidney stones.
Depending on the chemical composition are different types of calculations, each requiring a different therapeutic approach:
Risk Factors
Kidney stones are fairly common in the population as it effects on average about 3% of people. Particularly at risk are males aged between twenty and forty. In this age, due to the simultaneous presence of several risk factors, the incidence of disease exceeds 15%.
The causes of origin of the stones have not yet been fully clarified, although some predisposing factors significantly increase the probability of the formation of the calculations:
gender: males are three times more likely women to develop urinary tract stones (the highest concentration of citrate in the urine of women, in close relationship with the rate of estrogen, this would explain a lower incidence of the problem in the fairer sex)
poor fluid intake, a limited flow of urine promotes stagnation and then the precipitation of salts contained in them
dehydration due to increased fluid loss (diarrhea, sweating, etc..
Age: kidney stones are formed mainly between twenty and forty years
acidity of the urine: urinary pH less than 5 (with respect to certain very specific types of calcium, such as kidney, xanthine and uric acid)
family history of kidney stones is the case for example of the calculations in which kidney origin, due to a congenital defect of the kidney, a poorly soluble in urine amino acid precipitates forming crystals
chronic urinary tract infections
abuse of certain drugs or salt supplements and vitamins
hyperthyroidism (catabolic effects on bone) and (increased serum calcium)
diet incongruous
ethnicity: increased incidence of kidney stones in white and Asian
climate (during the summer heat increased evaporation, if not reinstated by an adequate fluid intake increases urine concentration and precipitation of the calculations)
WHAT ARE kidney stones?
Kidney stones are deposits of hard consistency which are formed by precipitation of minerals found in urine (calcium, oxalate, phosphate and uric acid). The formation of a calculation is favored by rising concentrations of these electrolytes or reduction of the liquid that keeps them in solution (low volume of urine).
When the salt is first formed crystals clump together, and then finally microtones calculations that can reach the size of a golf ball. Precisely because of their shape and chemical composition of kidney stones can move from their place of origin and go to hamper the flow of urine. This barrier, in addition to causing an intense pain often favors the development of urinary tract infection and, if it persists for long periods, increases the possibility of kidney damage, to develop progressive renal failure.
Normally, urine contains substances that prevent the formation of stones, but not always, these compounds are present in adequate quantities or effectively perform their function. Today we know two categories: macromolecular (protein in nature) and macromolecular such as citrate or magnesium. Even due to their colloidal properties favor the maintenance of the salts in solution by removing the kidney stones.
Depending on the chemical composition are different types of calculations, each requiring a different therapeutic approach:
Risk Factors
Kidney stones are fairly common in the population as it effects on average about 3% of people. Particularly at risk are males aged between twenty and forty. In this age, due to the simultaneous presence of several risk factors, the incidence of disease exceeds 15%.
The causes of origin of the stones have not yet been fully clarified, although some predisposing factors significantly increase the probability of the formation of the calculations:
gender: males are three times more likely women to develop urinary tract stones (the highest concentration of citrate in the urine of women, in close relationship with the rate of estrogen, this would explain a lower incidence of the problem in the fairer sex)
poor fluid intake, a limited flow of urine promotes stagnation and then the precipitation of salts contained in them
dehydration due to increased fluid loss (diarrhea, sweating, etc..
Age: kidney stones are formed mainly between twenty and forty years
acidity of the urine: urinary pH less than 5 (with respect to certain very specific types of calcium, such as kidney, xanthine and uric acid)
family history of kidney stones is the case for example of the calculations in which kidney origin, due to a congenital defect of the kidney, a poorly soluble in urine amino acid precipitates forming crystals
chronic urinary tract infections
abuse of certain drugs or salt supplements and vitamins
hyperthyroidism (catabolic effects on bone) and (increased serum calcium)
diet incongruous
ethnicity: increased incidence of kidney stones in white and Asian
climate (during the summer heat increased evaporation, if not reinstated by an adequate fluid intake increases urine concentration and precipitation of the calculations)
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