Kidney stones
goodtoknow says: Around 1 in 20 women between the ages of 20-40 will get a kidney stone. They're basically tiny crystals of waste chemicals and can be completely painless, you may not even know you have them, or excruciating, especially if one 'gets stuck' in the kidney or the tube leading to the bladder. If this happens you'll get pain in your side which could travel to the groin and make you feel sick. Take strong painkillers, drink plenty of fluids, and see your doctor.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of kidney stones from patient.co.uk, read on.
The cause of most kidney stones is not known. A stone may cause no problems, but often it causes pain. Most kidney stones are small, and pass out with the urine. About half of people who have a kidney stone develop another one at a later time in their life. Drinking lots of water may prevent a recurrence.
How common are kidney stones?
About 3 in 20 men, and 1 in 20 women in the UK develop a kidney stone at some stage in their life. It can occur at any age, but most commonly occurs between the ages of 20 and 40. About half of people who develop a kidney stone will have at least one recurrence at some stage in the future.
How do kidney stones form?
The kidneys filter the blood, and remove excess water and waste chemicals to produce urine. Urine travels from each kidney down a tube called the ureter into the bladder, then out of the body via the urethra when the bladder is full. Many waste chemicals are dissolved in the urine. The chemicals sometimes form tiny crystals in the urine which clump together to form a small stone.
Average rating:
Jennie, about 1 year
I never knew I had a real problem until I had a work medical. I was told there was blood in my urine go see my doctor. Within one month I found out I had a large stone in my kidney and all the pains I thought were from overdoing things at work it turns out are more likely to disappear after my Ureteroscopy and drinking lots of water. I am almost 50 and thought the pain was to be expected with over excerting myself lifting and pulling heavy boxes. So I hope others get such a helpful medical officer as I am very glad of mine.
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