Ramses DeGuzman

URINARY SYSTEM: KIDNEY STONES

ASSESSMENT
* Sudden pain; may occur in the lower back or side or in the lower abdomen
* Painful urinating
* Blood may appear in urine; making it pink or red in color
* Nausea and vomiting
* Frequency of urination
* Burning with urination
* Fever and chills may occur; signal of infection
*Disorientation
* Dehydration
* Weakness/Fatigue
* Family history of kidney problems
DIAGNOSIS
* Types of kidney stones: Calcium stones, Struvite stones, Uric Acid stones, and
Cystine stones
* Small stones (silent stones) can go unnoticed and dont cause any symptoms
* Urinary Tract Infections could lead to the development of kidney stones (Struvite);
check for bacteria in urine
* Given intravenous fluids to keep hydrated
*Can be caused by gout
* High levels of acid or alkali in urine are key factors in crystal formation (Uric Acid
Stones)
* X-rays taken to find location of the stone and relative size
* 24 hour blood and urine tests help detect any abnormal substances or chemical
risk factors such as:
1) Inadequate urinary volume
2) Inadequate urinary citrate (Hypocitraturia)
3) Too much urinary calcium (Hypercalciuria)
4) Too much urinary oxalate (Hyperoxaluria)
5) Too much urinary uric acid (Hyperuricosuria)
* Surgery may be needed to remove stones
* Until 20 years ago, surgery was the main option in removing stones; the most
frequent procedure for treatment of kidney stones is through the use of
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL); shock waves are created outside the
body and travel through the skin and body tissue till it hits the stones, which breaks
down into smaller particles which is then small enough to pass through the urinary
tract and excreted in the urine.
INTERVENTION
* Drinking more fluid; Water is most favorable; drink enough fluid through out the
day to produce 2
quarts of urine in every 24-hour period
* Drink les sugary or caffeinated beverages
*Reduce intake of calcium; especially those who are prone to developing calcium
stones (Hypercalciuria)
*Eat less meat, fish, and poultry; it increases the amount or acid or uric acid in urine
(Hyperuricosuria)
*Certain medication can be prescribed to control the amount of acid or alkali or
calcium in urine
* Avoid strenuous activity that could promote dehydration
* People prone to forming oxalate stones (Hyperoxaluria) should limit or avoid:

Ramses DeGuzman

URINARY SYSTEM: KIDNEY STONES

Apples, asparagus, beer, beets, berries, various (e.g., cranberries, strawberries),
black pepper, broccoli, cheese, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, cola drinks, collards, figs,
grapes, ice cream, liver, milk, oranges, parsley, peanut butter, pineapples, spinach,
Swiss chard, rhubarb, tea, turnips, vitamin C, yogurt