Kidney Stones and its symptoms
The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common disorder. The stones are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as uric acid, phosphorous, calcium and oxalic acid. They may vary in consistency from grit, sand and gravel-like obstructions to the size of bird’s eggs. Stones may form and grow because the concentration of a particular substance in the urine exceeds its solubility. This disorder occurs more frequently in middle age, with men being afflicted more often than women.
The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, lying below the waist on either side of the spinal column on the back wall of the abdomen. They are soft, reddish brown in color and, on an average, measures 10 centimeter in length, 6 centimeter in width and is 2.5 centimeter thick at its center. They are the filtering plant for purifying the blood, removing water and salts from it which are passed into the bladder as urine.
Kidney stones usually cause severe pain in their attempt to pass down the ureter on their way to the bladder. The pain is first felt on the side and thereafter in the groin and thighs. Other symptoms of kidney stones are a desire to urinate frequently, painful urination, scanty urination, nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills and shock. The patient may also pass blood with the urine. Sometimes, larger stones may remain in the kidneys without causing any trouble and these are known as “silent” stones.