What symptoms can urinary stones cause? How can you tell if you have stones?

Urinary stones are a common disease with an increasing incidence rate year by year. It causes uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain and hematuria, and may damage kidney function and even endanger life. Early detection and treatment of stones are crucial for patients. This article introduces different types of stones, symptoms, and possible complications, and analyzes the early symptoms of stones to increase public awareness of urinary stones.

1. Definition and classification of urinary stones

Urinary stones usually refer to hard stones formed in the human urinary system, commonly found in the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. According to the chemical composition of the stones, they can be divided into several main types. Calcium stones are the most common type, accounting for more than 75% of all urinary stones, mainly including calcium phosphate stones and calcium oxalate stones.

Uric acid stones are another type of urinary stones. They often occur alone or in combination with calcium stones and are associated with high urine acidity. There is also a rare type of stone called infection stones, which are composed of ammonium, magnesium, and phosphate impurities, as they often occur in cases of urinary tract infection.

In recent years, the incidence of oxalate stones has been on the rise, which may be related to lifestyle habits, dietary structure and environmental factors. Among foods, foods containing a lot of oxalic acid, such as spinach, mung beans, tofu, fish, shrimp, shellfish, animal offal, etc., are the main sources of oxalate stones. On the other hand, high levels of creatinine and uric acid, as well as high or low urine acidity, can also increase the formation of stones. The presence of oxalate stones, uric acid stones and infectious stones may pose a serious health threat to the human body. Understanding their formation mechanism is the key to preventing and treating urinary stones.

2. Possible symptoms of urinary stones

Urinary stones are solid objects that form in the urinary system, such as kidney stones, ureter stones, and bladder stones. These stones may pass on their own over time, or they may require medical intervention. When urinary stones begin to move or block the flow of urine, they may cause some of the following symptoms.

Pain is probably the most common symptom. Urinary stones can cause different types and degrees of pain, depending on the size, shape, and location of the stone. Kidney stones generally cause pain in the back or abdomen, while bladder stones usually cause pain in the lower abdomen. Ureteral stone pain is often intermittent and moves with the location of the stone, often occurring in the side of the abdomen or even felt in the groin.

Another obvious symptom is a change in urine. Two common changes in urine are blood in the urine and cloudy urine. Blood in the urine may sometimes form a reddish or pink urine, or blood may be seen in the urine. Stones can scratch the walls of the urinary tract as they pass through it, causing bleeding. Cloudy urine is usually due to inflammation or infection of the urinary tract and may be accompanied by frequent, urgent, or painful urination.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek medical advice. Because these symptoms may be caused by other conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, further testing is needed to determine a final diagnosis. Early recognition and treatment can effectively reduce the risk of complications and improve the patient's quality of life.

3. Potential complications of severe urinary stones

Serious urinary stones can cause a host of complications. One obvious risk is pain. Stones can cause sharp, intense pain that often appears before other symptoms. This is because the stone can cause severe irritation and damage as it travels through the urine passage.

Furthermore, urinary tract infection is also a common complication of urinary stones. When stones block the urine passage, it can cause urinary tract infection, which manifests as high fever, pyuria and other symptoms. If not treated in time, it may develop into pyelonephritis, which in turn affects kidney function.

Urinary stones may also cause kidney damage. Long-term presence of stones in the kidneys, especially larger stones, may cause kidney compression, softening, and even renal failure. If the local pressure caused by the stones is too great, it may further cause hydronephrosis, that is, excessive fluid in the renal pelvis, which may cause kidney tissue damage if not relieved for a long time.

Urinary stones may also cause prostatitis in male patients. Some patients with urinary stones, especially those with prostatic hyperplasia, may have stones retained in the prostate, leading to urinary reflux and subsequently prostatitis.

Taking all factors into consideration, serious complications of urinary stones may have a serious impact on the patient's quality of life and health, so they should be taken seriously and necessary treatment measures should be taken in a timely manner.

4. Describe and study the initial symptoms of urinary stones

The early symptoms of urinary stones may not be obvious and may be easily ignored. The size and location of the stone will cause different symptoms. Common symptoms include severe pain in the lower back or lower abdomen, which changes as the stone moves. There is also frequent and urgent urination, and you may have to get up frequently at night to urinate. The urine may become darker in color and sometimes contain blood or small stone fragments. Some patients also have nausea and vomiting, and severe symptoms may include fever and chills, which may indicate the presence of infection. This is a possible complication that requires further diagnosis and treatment. These symptoms are not specific and require a doctor's diagnosis and laboratory testing to confirm.

Conclusion

Treat the early warning signs of urinary stones with caution and seek professional medical assistance. Have regular checkups and deal with stone problems in a timely manner to maintain urinary health. Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly to prevent and control stone formation. Strengthen your lifestyle and follow scientific medical theories.

Author: Xia Xuezhi Anxin County Hospital