Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. They develop when crystals separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. As the crystals become bigger, they can cause intense pain. In the past 30 years the number of people who experience kidney stones has increased. One reason may be due to a greater proportion of the population being overweight or obese.
One study found that people who were obese or who had gained weight as an adult developed more kidney stones. Women who weighed more than 220 pounds were 90 percent more likely to develop kidney stones than those who weighed less than 150. In addition, women who gained more than 35 pounds after age 21 had a 70 percent greater risk than women who hadn’t gained that much weight.
What causes kidney stones?
Doctors can’t always pinpoint what causes kidney stones. In most people, chemicals in the urine inhibit kidney stones from forming but in obese people, researches think a diet higher in salt could be part of the cause, along with metabolic and endocrine factors unique to obesity. Kidney stones can be a lifetime issue: Once you have had one, you are more likely to have another.
The simplest way to prevent kidney stones is to drink more water. People who are susceptible to kidney stones should try to drink at least 12 glasses of water each day and limit coffee, tea or cola because these drinks act as diuretics that can cause fluid to leave the body too quickly.
What are the symptoms?
Most kidney stones do not cause any symptoms and will pass through the body without any interference. Only after the stone blocks the flow of urine do people feel pain. If this happens you will feel a sharp pain in the back or side near the kidney or in the abdomen. Pain can also spread to the groin and sometimes cause nausea or vomiting. As the stone moves closer to the bladder you will feel the need to urinate more often and may feel a burning sensation when you do. You should see a doctor right away if you see blood in the urine, have the symptoms described above or you have fever and chills—two signs of an infection.
If you have a kidney stone your doctor will suggest you drink more water—about two to three quarts a day—to flush the stone through the body and he or she may prescribe medications for pain or to fight the infection. In rare cases, surgical procedures are used to remove the stone.
As more research is done on the link between weight and kidney stones, weight loss may also be suggested as a way to keep kidney stones from forming. In the meantime, if you experience kidney stones and are overweight, you may want to lose weight. Even if kidney stones aren’t a problem, being at a healthy weight improves many aspects of your health, not just your likelihood of developing kidney stones.
Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.
Source: NIDDK.NIH.gov, ScienceDaily.com
