The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The kidneys are the master chemists of the body. Their main job is to remove wastes from the blood and return the cleaned blood back to the body. The kidneys also control the balance of water and salt in the body, and are involved in the production of Vitamin D and erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells. A kidney stone can develop when certain chemicals in your urine form crystals that stick together. The crystals may grow into a stone ranging in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. Most stones form in the kidneys. Very small stones can pass through the urinary system without causing problems. However, larger stones, when traveling from the kidney through the ureter to the bladder, can cause severe pain called colic. One out of 10 Canadians will have a kidney stone at some point in their life. Kidney stones occur much more commonly in men than in women. They tend to affect people in middle age, and occur more frequently hot climates. Normally, urine contains chemicals which prevent crystals from forming. However, some people seem to be more prone to kidney stones than others. If you are prone to kidney stones, there are several factors which contribute to their formation: Consuming too much calcium oxalate or food high in uric acid in your diet. Drinking too little fluid. Blockage of the urinary tract. Certain metabolic diseases. Recurrent urinary tract infections. Consuming too much Vitamin C or D. Bed rest for several weeks or more. Certain medications. Sometimes, no causes can be found. Symptoms of kidney stones include: Severe pain that usually starts suddenly in the small of the back under the ribs or in the lower abdomen, and which may move to the groin; the pain may last for minutes or hours, followed by periods of relief. Blood in the urine. Nausea and vomiting. If you have a urinary tract infection, you may also experience: Burning during urination and the urge to urinate frequently. Cloudy or foul-smelling urine. Fever, chills and weakness. Prevention There are steps you can take, in consultation with your doctor and dietitian, to help prevent kidney stones, including: Drink at least two litres of water during the day and a glass of water whenever you get up at night to pass urine. Be sure to drink plenty after meals and after exercise. If you have calcium oxalate stones, be sure to stay within the recommended dietary allowance for calcium and avoid foods high in oxalate content (such as tea or chocolate). Do not take very large doses of Vitamin C (four grams or more daily) and avoid heavy use of antacids. Vitamin B6 (not exceeding 50 mg/day) may protect against recurrent calcium oxalate stones. Decrease protein and salt intake. If you have uric acid stones, cut down on the amount of red meat you eat. Ð Compiled from information on the Kidney Foundation of Canada website.
