Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, occur when minerals in urine deposit in the kidneys, bladder, ureters... forming solid crystals, most commonly calcium crystals.
Kidney stones form when urine output decreases and mineral levels in the kidneys increase. When one or both of these conditions persist for several days, there is a risk of kidney stones forming.
Stones can be located anywhere in the urinary tract such as the kidneys, ureters, bladder and male urethra (the female urethra is very short so it does not form stones).
Small kidney stones can be expelled during normal urination. However, large stones moving in the kidneys, ureters, bladder... cause friction leading to damage, even blocking the urinary tract, leaving negative consequences for health.
Causes of kidney stones
There are many causes of kidney stones, but mainly due to the following reasons:
- Unreasonable diet
The habit of eating salty, fatty foods will increase blood volume, which means more minerals are filtered through the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney stones.
- Habit of drinking little water
When the amount of water taken into the body is too little, not enough for the kidneys to filter and excrete, this makes the urine become concentrated, creating conditions for minerals to crystallize and cause kidney stones.
- Skipping breakfast
Bile plays an important role in digesting food. Especially in the morning, the body needs a lot of energy after a long night's sleep. However, skipping breakfast causes bile to accumulate in the gallbladder and intestines, leading to kidney stones.
- Holding urine
Frequent urination prevents minerals from being excreted, leading to deposits. When enough calcium accumulates, kidney stones form.
- Chronic insomnia
Kidney tissue has the ability to repair itself when the body falls asleep. Therefore, when you have prolonged insomnia, this function will not be performed, the longer it is left, the higher the risk of kidney stones.
- Use of drugs indiscriminately
Buying medicine without consulting a doctor, using medicine indiscriminately without a doctor's instructions can lead to kidney stones. According to statistics, long-term abuse of antibiotics will increase the risk of kidney stones. Some groups of antibiotics mentioned are: Cephalosporin, Penicillin...
Kidney stones are a common urinary tract disease.
Signs of kidney stones
When the stone is small, you may not experience any symptoms, even as it passes through the urinary tract. But when the stone is larger, it can block the kidney or move down the urethra, causing severe, cramping pain.
The pain is usually on one side of the back or abdomen, sometimes spreading to the groin area, lasting from 20 to 60 minutes.
In addition, patients may also experience other symptoms such as:
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Need to go to the bathroom urgently or more often than usual
- Blood in the urine is a common symptom in people with urinary tract stones. The urine may be red, pink, or brown.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- Only urinate a small amount at a time.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fever and chills are often a sign of infection in the kidneys or another part of the urinary tract.
Kidney Stone Prevention
To prevent kidney stones, you need to drink enough water in 1 day (2 - 3 liters of water/day). You can drink lemon juice to help prevent uric acid stones as well as calcium oxalate stones.
Limit products that increase the risk of kidney stones such as soda, iced tea, strawberries, nuts... use caffeine reasonably.
You need to have a reasonable diet, eat a low-salt diet, and reduce salt intake. Limit foods high in fat and cholesterol. Maintain body weight at a normal level.
Kidney stones develop silently, people with kidney stones may not realize it until they go to the doctor. If not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to kidney failure. Therefore, regular health check-ups are extremely important. In addition, if you suspect you have kidney stones, you need to go to a medical facility for specific examination and advice.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/6-nguyen-nhan-gay-soi-than-nhieu-nguoi-mac-phai-172241009161520554.htm
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