Kidney stones that block or obstruct the flow of urine within the urinary tract may be responsible for infection or even deterioration of renal function.

The kidneys are the master chemists of the body. Normally, there are two of them, one on either side of the spine under the lower ribs. They are reddish brown in color and shaped like kidney beans. Each kidney is about the size of your clenched fist.

Kidney stones are a relatively common problem. Approximately 350-thousand Americans have new stones each year. Approximately 15% of Americans will develop stones at some point during their lifetime.

There are many different types of kidney stones. The vast majority of stones are composed of calcium. The most common types of stones are calcium oxalate (70%), calcium phosphate (5-10%), struvite (10%), uric acid (10%) and cystine (1%). It is not uncommon for a single stone to be made of more than one of these types. When this occurs, the stone is commonly referred to as a mixed stone. Less common types of kidney stones include Xanthine, DHA and crixivan stones.

Patients who are at risk for stone formation include inadequate hydration, dietary practices, stones that run in families, infections, anatomical factors within the urinary tract and metabolic conditions that may promote stone formation.

The majority of renal stones are found in one kidney. However, bilateral renal calculi occur in 10 - 15% of patients. The CT scan, below, shows a stone in each kidney (red arrowheads).

Patients who have a kidney stone may have another kidney stone in the future. The risk of a patient having a recurrence of a stone can be up to 50% in 5-10 years and 80% in their lifetime.

Yes. The treatment is called lithotripsy. It uses shockwaves to break up stones inside the body. It is appropriate for kidney stones as well as ureter and urinary bladder stones.

Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form. It seems that some people are just susceptible to having stones-and those who are might increase their risk by eating certain foods, or by not drinking enough water. A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases, and metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to stone formation.

Sometimes, urinary stones cause no symptoms at all. But often, urinary stones can cause pain-possibly severe- as well as blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting, the need to urinate more often, or burning during urination. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor for evaluation. And if fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately, as you may have an infection.

People who have had one kidney stone are prone to develop others. Without preventive treatment or changes in lifestyle, patients can develop a new stone within a year or two of the first one. About half of patients do develop a stone again within 5 to 10 years, and 80% do so sometime in their lives.

It is common for inorganic calcium supplements to cause kidney stones and small intestine stones due to low absorption rate. EZorb Calcium is made of anhydrous calcium aspartate which boasts an exceptional 92% absorption rate. EZorb Calcium is one of the few, if not the only, calcium supplements that will not cause kidney stones.

No one single treatment is appropriate for all stones. These are all usually outpatient treatments. Prior to any treatment X-rays or a CAT scan is used to locate the stone so that you may receive accurate information about your treatment options. I also provide patients with information regarding prevention of future stones.

Kidney stones are the result of mineral precipitation in the urine. The most common cause is dehydration which causes the urine to become saturated with specific minerals that begin to precipitate as crystals and subsequently stones.

The single best means of preventing kidney stones is drinking enough water to cause production of two liters of urine daily.

Pain in the back or flank area or blood in the urine may suggest the presence of a kidney stone, but the diagnosis requires imaging. The most accurate (and currently most popular) means of diagnosing a kidney stone is a CAT Scan. The specific technique used is helical kidney stone protocol.

Additional calcium intake may actually lower your risk for kidney stones. The largest study ever conducted on calcium and kidney stones, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1993, and another published in 1997, showed that daily calcium intake above 850 mg decreased the incidence of symptomatic kidney stones. Reducing your intake of dietary oxalate, a substance found in wheat bran, rhubarb, beets and nuts may also lower your risk of stones.