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Kidney Stones

Renal calculi, or kidney stones is the formation of crystals in the kidneys causing excretory issues. These stones mainly form in the renal pelvis or the ureter in the kidney. It is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and a burning sensation when urinating 



Urine consists of salts and various compounds such as Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Oxalate, Phosphate and Uric acid. Calcium oxalate is the most common stone formed in the kidneys, it accounts for 80% of kidney stones


The crystals can scratch the walls of the urinary tract, sending nerve impulses to the brain causing excruciating abdominal pain. The scratches also cause blood vessels embedded behind the walls to burst, causing blood to enter the urinary system. This causes the patient to urinate blood.


IF the stone is big enough to cause a blockage in the urinary tract, this can create a backflow of urine and infect the kidneys itselves. However, most kidney stones do not grow large enough to cause a blockage. This way, doctors simply ask the patient to drink substantial amounts of water to wash the stones through the urinary tract.


If the stones are slightly larger, medications such as Alpha-blockers are used to relax the muscles in the urinary tract to allow the stone to pass. 





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0GpIMNTPYg

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755#:~:text=Kidney%20stones%20form%20when%20your,for%20kidney%20stones%20to%20form

https://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/kidney-stone-causes

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/5-steps-for-preventing-kidney-stones-201310046721

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