Understanding the Different Types of Kidney Stones and Their Symptoms

Kidney stones are deposits of various minerals inside your kidneys that become stone-like objects over time. One of the only ways to get rid of these stones is to pass them through your urinary tract, which is a painful process. With technology today, doctors break these stones into smaller pieces to make it easier for you to pass them through urine. However, before you get into treatment, you need to know what type of kidney stones you have. That’s right; there are different types of kidney stones. So, let’s discuss the types of kidney stones and their symptoms.

The 4 Types Of Kidney Stones
 

Calcium Stones

Kidney stones formed by the accumulation of calcium are generally the most common type of kidney stones. These stones generally occur when there is a deficiency of calcium in your body, matched with low fluid intake regularly. The calcium in your urine mixes with other minerals and forms stones. Calcium stones can be subdivided into two types further, namely.

• Calcium Oxalate Stones: These stones are made when the calcium and oxalate in your urine mix together at high concentrations crystalising and forming stones as a result.
• Calcium Phosphate Stones: The process is almost similar with these stones too. The calcium and phosphate mixed in your urine crystalise over time due to high concentrations and create these stones.

Uric Acid Stones

Uric stones are quite different from calcium stones as they are not directly linked with the adequate consumption of fluids. These stones develop when your body has too much purines. It’s a compound that’s found in high concentrations in shellfish and organ meats. When you consume a lot of the two mentioned food items, your body produces copious amounts of monosodium urate. That, over time, can crystalise and lead to the creation of uric acid stones in your kidney.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones are formed due to external factors like urinary tract infections (UTIs). When you get any UTI, the bacteria create waste products which can change the acidity of your urine. Struvite stones are formed by the accumulation of ammonia from the bacteria’s waste. UTIs make your urine more alkaline, making you more susceptible to struvite kidney stones.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones are genetic in nature, and they are also quite rare. These stones are formed because of genetic problems with your body’s ability to transport amino acids like cystine. It creates a condition known as cystinuria, which makes your kidneys more likely to develop stones. You should note cystine stones are by far the most complex type of kidney stones. These stones are larger, more complex, and more prone to reoccur due to your genetic problems.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones

If you’re wondering what are the symptoms of stone and how the symptoms are different for each type, they’re not. The sign of a kidney stone is not different for the type of stone you might have. The change in symptoms can be triggered, however, by the size of your kidney stone.

If the stone is the size of a grain of sand, you won’t even feel the symptoms. It will just pass out of your urinary tract, and you will never notice. In case your stone is bigger (suppose the size of a pebble), you will feel pain and irritation along with the other symptoms like

• Nagging stomach ache that never goes away fully
• Bouts of vomiting induced by nausea
• Severe pain on any side of your lower back
• Cloudy urine that smells awful
• Fever and chills
• Blood in your urine

The pain resulting from kidney stones is generated when the stone starts to block the functionality of your urinary tract. If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, you need to get medical help to get a proper diagnosis.

Ending Note

Kidney stones can be painful, but today with the help of modern medical technology, there are several treatments for kidney stones. Visit MASSH today for a complete diagnosis and treatment of all types of kidney stones. We offer minimally invasive surgical processes that break down kidney stones into smaller bits that can easily be passed through urine. For more information about our kidney stone treatments, visit our website or book an appointment today.