Kidney stones are solid accumulations that tend to form in the kidneys but can occur throughout the urinary system. Obstruction, pain and secondary infection are the most common symptoms with kidney stones. About 6% of the general population are affected by them. They are responsible for thousand of hospital admissions and are twice as common in men as they are in women. Kidney stones tend to occur in adults over the age of 30.

They may be present without producing any symptoms and may pass through the urinary tract without any complications. Back pain that occurs where the kidneys are located and flank pain that radiates across the abdomen, down the ureters and down the inner thigh and genital areas, are common symptoms.

Nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain and distention can occur. Excruciating intermittent pain usually indicates an acute obstruction of a stone within the kidney or along the ureters. Fever, chills, increased frequency of urination, blood in the urine and presence of white blood cells usually indicates inflammation and infection. A stone obstruction can disrupt normal kidney function.

The exact cause of kidney stone formation is not entirely known. The identification of the type of kidney stone is important in determining the cause of stone formation and appropriate treatment.

The four main types of kidney stones........

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