A)--Oklahoma can be associated with the term "Stone Belt". This region of the United States has a higher incidence of Kidney Stones due to hot weather and decreased fluid consumption associated with individuals working in the heat. Some kidney stones may be related to diet, possibly a high intake of rhubarb, spinach, leafy vegetables, tomatoes, chocolate, or coffee. They can also result from excess calcium in the blood.

For calcium calculi such as calcium oxalate (in monohydrate or dihydrate form), hydroxyapatite, brushite or mix, unfortunately there is no medication that dissolves them in vivo, inside the organism. However fragmentation inside the organism can be done (there are diverse techniques) facilitating the expulsion of smaller size fragments.

The human kidneys are paired organs, which are positioned just in front of the 11th and 12th ribs. The kidneys are responsible for filtering water and other substances from the blood. The combination of these filtered substances and water is known as urine. Several of the substances commonly found in urine have the ability to crystallize. These crystals can then bind together to form a kidney stone.

Yes. You can have multiple stones in a single kidney. The KUB, below, shows multiple stones in the right kidney (red arrowhead).

Except in the case of the uric acid calculi that can be dissolved in vivo (inside the organism) by means of urine alkalinization, no medication to dissolve them in vivo exists. However fragmentation inside the organism can be done facilitating the expulsion of smaller size fragments. On the other hand, it is important to discover the causes that have induced the calculi formation, in order to correct and to prevent the appearance of new episodes.

When renal calculi generates nephritic colics a very intense typical pain of intermittent character appears generally in the flank of the affected side. The pain can irradiate to the back and mainly to the groin, sometimes with nausea . Other manifestations of renal calculi, in absence of nephritic colic, can be:

When renal calculi elimination doesn't take place spontaneously, non invasive techniquescan be used, as shock waves extracorporeal lithotripsy (SWEL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy, etc. avoiding open surgery. However in some cases the classic surgery is unavailable. Yet, despite evident importance of calculi elimination processes, the affected patient should be more interested avoiding the episode repetition.

Due to the existence of different types of renal calculi, the most appropriate diet depends on the type of calculi formed, because for each different type there are different generation causes. However, in general, diets should be balanced, not excessively vegetarian nor meat rich. A high consumption of liquids is always advisable (preferably not carbonic drinks), although in some cases, such as uric acid lithiasis,) their consumption is recomendable.

The most common symptom from a kidney stone is the acute onset of severe flank pain due to the stone moving into a position in the kidney or ureter, which causes a blockage or obstruction of the flow of urine. Kidney stone pain is often associated with low back pain and abdominal pain. Kidney stones, especially those in the left kidney, can also cause significant amounts of nausea and even vomiting.

There are various treatment options for managing kidney stones. Some stones may be treated with medication. Other stone types may require surgical intervention. Surgical management may include noninvasive surgery, minimally invasive surgery or infrequently, open surgery.

Depending on the type of stone that you have, your doctor may suggest a dietary modification or medication, which may reduce your risk for future stone formation. Speak with your physician.

It is not for sure that this trouble can be attributed to renal calculi. Other reasons responsible for those nuisances can exist. If it were renal calculi, the pain would begin in the lumbar area going towards the groin, appearing in an intermittent way. On the other hand, other indications would be the appearance of blood in urine or very cloudy urine.

In this case it is recommended to increase diuresis (by increasing liquid ingestion). Hypercalciuria, if present, must be evaluated to know the type and treat them specifically. When calciuria is present above normal calciuria range it is advisable to establish measures leading to its reduction such as reducing solar exhibition, limiting salt consumption and avoiding vitamin D supplements..

Place the stone in a clean, dry container. DO NOT PLACE IN FORMALIN. Complete the Non-Gyn Requisition (blue) and submit the specimen to the laboratory.

Yes, if it can be domonstrated by an imaging technique (X ray, CT scan) that the stone has passed. The question becomes more complicated for pilots who have recurrent stone formation, as these can be unpredictable and the pain quite incapacitating when new stones form in the urinary tract. These individuals should be carefully evaluated by a specialist for determining the cause of the recurrent stone formation, so that preventive techniques, if any, can be utilized.

This type of tests provides information on the glomerular and tubular function of the kidneys. The kidney tubules' main function is to excrete waste products while reabsorbing water and dissolved chemicals from the ultrafiltrate.