The development of kidney, bladder, or ureteral stones isn’t uncommon today. There are various types of stones that can develop as a part of the urinary tract system. This is often due to the development of minerals in your system that are too high, unable to be removed properly, or otherwise building up in the body. If you are struggling with the presence of these stones or you have a high risk for developing them, it is important for you to know what they are and why they can happen to you.
What Are They?
Known as renal calculi, these are a type of supersaturated urine filled with minerals such as struvite, calcium oxalate, uric acid, and cysteine. All of this means that they are a buildup of minerals in your body’s kidneys. As much as 80 percent of stones will contain calcium in them. They will range in size in most people. Some are very small and gravel like. Others can be much larger. The larger they are, the more of a risk they present to your health and to your pain levels.
Bladder stones make up about five percent of all urinary tract stones. These often occur as a result of obstructions, infections, or foreign bodies introduced to your system. The most common reason these develop is the inability or non-function of fully emptying the bladder after urination.
You are more likely to develop these stones if you have the following risk factors:
-
- You have gout.
- You have a family history of renal stones.
- You have anatomical abnormalities especially in the urinary tract and kidneys.
- You have hyperparathyroidism.
- You have hypertension.
- You have some type of metabolic disorder such as chronic metabolic acidosis, hyperuricosuria, or hypercalciuria.
If you have these types of risk factors, it is important for you to take steps to get treatment for the underlying cause. With proper management, you may be able to avoid the development of future stones. And, in some cases, you do need to visit the hospital to get immediate help for these conditions. If your pain is significant, visit the ER for help.
When you come in to see one of the best urologists in the area, you’ll learn more about these types of stones, why you may be developing them, and what options you have to manage the immediate problem as well as to prevent future concerns.