There are several signs of kidney stones that doctors usually look for when examining a person who has the condition. Many people don't even realize that they have these stones until they are passed by the time the doctor arrives to take a look at them. Signs of kidney stones include pain in the area around the kidney, burning when urinating, and the appearance of blood in the urine. The presence of these symptoms is also a good indication that the stone has passed by itself.
A kidney stone is basically a hardened, solid deposit formed inside the kidneys. They can appear in various places of the body, including the urethra. When urine gets concentrated, crystallized calcium and other salts stick together and form stones, which then turn into crystals that become bigger.
Kidney stones usually appear between one and four weeks after you start having kidney problems. In some people, these stones may not be visible. However, if you feel pain around your lower abdomen or pass blood when urinating, these could be symptoms of kidney stones. Most people will experience a sharp pain on the left side of their abdomen or pain that worsens as they pass urine. This pain may become worse after drinking a large amount of fluid, such as soda or juices.
Kidney stones often develop slowly over a period of time. While the stone might already be present inside you, if it isn't too large, it will pass on its own. But if the stone is much larger, there is a chance that it will break loose, travel through the urethra and cause a bigger problem. If it breaks loose and comes out of the urethra, it could block the passage of urine or lodge itself in another place, causing further pain. Signs of kidney stones may also show up in the form of blood in the urine, which is what happens when a kidney stone lodges itself in the urethra.
Signs of kidney stones vary depending on the severity of the stone
Some people may have severe symptoms, which include: severe pain, vomiting, jaundice, fever, and lightheadedness. In extreme cases, a person may be unable to even urinate. In addition to these symptoms, there are some signs of kidney stones that aren't as bad and that doctors may not always notice.
There are a few things that a person can do to help reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. Drinking lots of water, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoiding foods high in calcium and vitamin C, and exercising regularly will all help to strengthen the immune system and keep kidney stones from developing. Avoiding certain foods, such as those rich in calcium, should also be avoided as these foods may also cause kidney stones to form. Eating foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, beans, and carrots can also help prevent kidney stones.
Pain in the area around the kidney can be relieved with over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen or aspirin, but these pain killers only help relieve the pain and don't get to the root of the problem. Taking pain relievers only treats the symptoms. There are many herbal supplements that can help reduce pain and get rid of stones, too. The herbs dandelion and cascara sagrada help by suppressing calcium in the body, which can inhibit the formation of kidney stones.
To prevent kidney stones, diet and exercise are the best defenses. If a person has kidney problems, he or she should always avoid certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, colas, carbonated drinks, soda, and alcohol to name a few.