On the Web Since 1997 An Educational Resource for Sufferers with Kidney Stones by Roger Baxter Seen by Over 3 Million Visitors
	Why Be Concerned About Kidney Stones? The most obvious reason to learn about kidney stones and modify a person's behavior accordingly is to avoid the intense pain which they cause. But the most important reason is because kidney stones can quickly lead to failure of the kidneys which is life threatening. A kidney stone that does not pass on out can block the urinary tract. This blockage will probably cause pain initially. But if medical attention is not received to identify the cause of the pain and remove the blockage, the pain is likely to gradually go away over a few days time. This lack of pain may cause the sufferer to think the crisis has passed when, in fact, the kidney which has been blocked by the stone has shut down. If left untreated in just a few days this shut down can lead to permanent loss of function in that kidney. A kidney stone can even rupture the collection system of the kidney. Definition The medical terminology for kidney stones is Nephrolithiasis or Renal Calculi. A kidney stone is a solid lump (from as small as a grain of sand to as large as the size a golf ball) made up of crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney. A remarkable color photograph of a kidney stone over an inch long shown still inside a bisected kidney is available from a medical center in England. There appears to be an increase in the number of cases of kidney stones in recent years. About 7 to 21 people out of every 10,000 (or less than two tenths of one percent) of the population will have a kidney stone attack each year. In 1985 there were 1 million cases of kidney stones in the United States. These account for about 7 to 10 of every 1000 hospital admissions (or nearly one percent). Four out of five kidney stone cases (80 percent) are among men; only 20 percent are women. And more causaisans have kidney stones than Afro-Americans. Location Kidney stones usually are formed inside the kidney, but they are sometimes found in the bladder or ureter. Click to see a UCLA colorized drawing of the Urinary Tract. The intense pain associated with kidney stones usually occurs during the period of time that the stone is being slowly moved along the small ureter between the kidney and the bladder.
SITE CONTENTS • Why Be Concerned • Definition • Location • Causes • Symptoms • Eliminating the Stone • Lithotripsy • Surgery • Alternatives • Recurrance • Chemical Compostion • Prevention • Links to Related Sites • Visitor's Comments • Add Your Comments • Kidney Stone Books • History of 'The Kidney Stone Web Site" • About Roger Baxter • Other Web Sites by RB • Contact Roger Baxter • Suggest a Link • Privacy Policy Copyright 2002-2005 Roger Baxter		Recommend this site to a friend. Just use this quick form: Your message: We value your privacy and will not use this information for any other purpose. See our Privacy Policy
		Disclaimer Data at this web site should be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended for treatment or diagnostic purposes. Individuals with specific questions should seek the advice of a physician.
	Causes and Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Links to Other Sections of The Kidney Stone Web Site • Why Be Concerned • Definition • Location • Causes • Symptoms • Eliminating the Stone • Lithotripsy • Surgery • Alternative Treatments • Recurrance • Chemical Compostion • Prevention • Links to Related Sites • Suggest a Link • Visitor's Comments • Add Your Comments • History of 'The Kidney Stone Web Site" • About Roger Baxter • Other Web Sites by RB • Contact Roger Baxter • Privacy Policy • Kidney Stone Books Latest update January 6, 2006