Dealing With Kidney Stones

When we say kidney stones, what we are actually talking about are small, hard deposits of mineral and acid salts on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. Normally this stones are tiny and not noticed and passed out of the body. Scientists have found kidney stones in a 7000 year old mummy and this proves that this disease has been around for a long time. Cases of kidney stones have been on a rise in the last 3 decades. Kidney stones occur more frequently in men as compared to women. Men are more susceptible and they have higher incidence of getting this disease from their 40s to their 70s. In the case of women, kidney stones risk is greatest during their 50s.nnWhen kidney stones are small they get excreted naturally from the system. When the stones become big they are expelled from the kidney. If the stone gets jammed in the urethra, then it can result in an infection which can cause permanent kidney damage. Kidney stones are classified into calcium stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones and cystine stones. Calcium stones are more commonly found among people.nnTo learn more about this medical condition, I recommend you visit the VideoJug website and watch their professional, free films on Kidney Stones - all led by expert medical advice.nnAs said before men are at more risk of getting kidney stones. Moreover, a person who has already suffered from kidney stones may again get it within another five years. Other risk factors are family history of kidney stones, consuming antacids or thyroid medicines, having a single kidney, regular consumption of proteins, getting dehydrated quite often, a sedentary lifestyle, and a disease of the small intestine.nnVarious methods used to diagnose kidney stones are blood tests, urine analysis, X-rays, an intravenous urogram, ultrasound scan and non-contrast helical computerized tomography. Until two decades ago the only treatment for kidney stones was open surgery which required a patient to rest for about 4-6 weeks. With advances in medical science, surgery is almost not required now and doctors use alternative methods to treat kidney stones. nnExtracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most favored form of treatment for such kidney stones which don't get excreted naturally. In ESWL, shock waves are targeted at the stones so that they break down into small parts and then are easily passed in the urine. Doctors usually give painkillers during ESWL as treatment might be uncomfortable for the patient. ESWL is recommended only if it is absolutely necessary and doctors generally prescribe lifestyle changes to cure kidney stones. Patients are usually asked to drink more amounts of liquids, avoid medicines with calcium base and basically avoid such things which might aggravate their condition. nnIt is believed that consuming certain foods may lead to stone formation in those people who are at high risk, but scientists say that people who are not susceptible are at no risk even on consuming such food items. nnPeople who have high oxalate levels in their urine should avoid certain food items like rhubarb, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, wheat germ, soybean crackers, peanuts, okra, chocolate, black Indian tea and sweet potatoes. Food items having medium oxalate are grits, grapes, celery, green pepper, red raspberries, fruit cake, strawberries, marmalade and liver. Those who are at risk of getting kidney stones are advised by their doctors to avoid the above mentioned foods.