How are kidney stones caused?

Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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There are many causes leading to the formation of kidney stones, related to daily water and food intake, lifestyle habits, living environment, genetics, and certain diseases. For example, patients with hyperuricemia and those with hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands are prone to the formation of kidney stones. Additionally, individuals who often stay in high-temperature environments and neglect to drink water frequently and urinate regularly, can easily experience concentrated urine, which also promotes the formation of kidney stones. Furthermore, people who consume large amounts of calcium and oxalate-rich foods over long periods are also commonly at risk of developing kidney stones.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Which department should I go to for kidney stones?

After developing kidney stones, it is necessary to promptly visit the urology department of a hospital for examination and treatment. Diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound, CT scans, and imaging are required to determine the exact location and size of the stones. If the stone inside the kidney is small, around five millimeters, this can often be managed by increasing water intake, frequent urination, exercising, and using medications such as stone-expelling granules and effervescent agents to facilitate the expulsion of the stones from the body. If the stone is large and causes hydronephrosis of the kidney, surgery is recommended as soon as possible. If there is a concurrent infection, it is necessary to control the infection before proceeding with surgical treatment.

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Written by Zeng Zhong
Urology
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How to check for kidney stones?

For kidney stone examination, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasonography of the urinary system. Patients can go to the urology department of their local hospital for a formal examination. The ultrasound of the urinary system primarily looks at the size of the kidney stones and whether there is any water accumulation in the kidneys. Based on the results of the examination, an appropriate treatment plan can be formulated. For example, smaller kidney stones can be treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, while larger kidney stones may require minimally invasive surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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How are kidney stones caused?

There are many causes leading to the formation of kidney stones, related to daily water and food intake, lifestyle habits, living environment, genetics, and certain diseases. For example, patients with hyperuricemia and those with hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands are prone to the formation of kidney stones. Additionally, individuals who often stay in high-temperature environments and neglect to drink water frequently and urinate regularly, can easily experience concentrated urine, which also promotes the formation of kidney stones. Furthermore, people who consume large amounts of calcium and oxalate-rich foods over long periods are also commonly at risk of developing kidney stones.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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Kidney stone symptoms

The symptoms of kidney stones depend on the size and shape of the stone, as well as its location in the kidney, whether there are infections, obstructions, and other factors. Smaller kidney stones, which are smooth, can be expelled with the urine without causing noticeable symptoms. Stones lodged in the lower part of the renal pelvis or in the calyces can be asymptomatic. If the kidney stones are larger, located in the calyces or the renal pelvis, they can compress the kidney and cause back pain or dull pain because the stones can lead to the dilation or obstruction of the renal pelvis or kidney. Patients may experience back pain, fever, and if there is an infection, localized fever may occur. Additionally, kidney stones can scratch the mucous membrane of the ureter or kidney, causing bleeding.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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How can kidney stones be expelled from the body?

The method of expelling kidney stones from the body is related to the size of the stones. If the diameter of the kidney stone is less than 0.6 centimeters, it can generally pass smoothly through the ureter and urethra to the outside of the body. This can be facilitated by drinking plenty of water and performing physical activity to naturally expel the stones. If a stone gets stuck in a physiologically narrow part of the ureter during expulsion, conservative treatment methods can be used to dilate the ureter, allowing the stone to pass on its own. If the kidney stones are relatively large but do not cause obstruction within the kidney, they can be observed temporarily without treatment. If larger stones get stuck in the ureter or urethra and cannot be expelled on their own, surgery is generally required to remove the stones. After surgery, it is also important to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently.