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JessiccaWhat does Kidney Stone look like?
October 6th 2006 04:50
Some might not be very sure how it actually looks like, it comes in different forms and sizes therefore you might not be aware when you pass urine.
Are all kidney stones alike?
The answer is No. There are four major types of kidney stones.
The most common type of stone contains calcium (KAL-see-um). Calcium is a normal part of a healthy diet.
Calcium that is not used by the bones and muscles goes to the kidneys. In most people, the kidneys flush out the extra calcium with the rest of the urine. People who have calcium stones keep the calcium in their kidneys.
The calcium that stays behind joins with other waste products to form a stone.
A struvite (STROO-vite) stone may form after an infection in the urinary system. These stones contain the mineral magnesium (mag-NEE-zeeum) and the waste product ammonia (uh-MOHnyuh).
A uric (YOOR-ik) acid stone may form when there is too much acid in the urine. If you tend to form uric acid stones, you may need to cut back on the amount of meat you eat.
Cystine (SIS-teen) stones are rare. Cystine is one of the building blocks that make up muscles, nerves, and other parts of the body. Cystine can build up in the urine to form a stone. The disease that causes cystine stones runs in families.
How will my doctor find out what kind of stone I have?
The best way for your doctor to find out what kind of stone you have is to test the stone itself. If you know that you are passing a stone, try to catch it in a strainer.
Your doctor may ask for a urine sample or take blood to find out what is causing your stones. You may need to collect your urine for a 24-hour period.
These tests will help your doctor find ways for you to avoid stones in the future.
Why do I need to know the kind of stone?
The therapy your doctor gives you depends on the type of stone you have. For example, a medicine that helps prevent calcium stones will not work if you have a struvite stone. The diet changes that help prevent uric acid stones may have no effect on calcium stones. Therefore, careful analysis of the stone will help guide your treatment.
Are all kidney stones alike?
The answer is No. There are four major types of kidney stones.
Calcium Kidney Stone
Calcium that is not used by the bones and muscles goes to the kidneys. In most people, the kidneys flush out the extra calcium with the rest of the urine. People who have calcium stones keep the calcium in their kidneys.
The calcium that stays behind joins with other waste products to form a stone.
Uric Kidney Stone
Cystine Kidney Stone
How will my doctor find out what kind of stone I have?
The best way for your doctor to find out what kind of stone you have is to test the stone itself. If you know that you are passing a stone, try to catch it in a strainer.
Your doctor may ask for a urine sample or take blood to find out what is causing your stones. You may need to collect your urine for a 24-hour period.
These tests will help your doctor find ways for you to avoid stones in the future.
Why do I need to know the kind of stone?
The therapy your doctor gives you depends on the type of stone you have. For example, a medicine that helps prevent calcium stones will not work if you have a struvite stone. The diet changes that help prevent uric acid stones may have no effect on calcium stones. Therefore, careful analysis of the stone will help guide your treatment.
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Thanks for visiting. Yeah I have no idea there are many types of kidney stones until my friend sent me this article.