Introduction
Physiopathology refers to the methodical learning of serviceable changes connected to a disease or injury within a human body. Kidney stones are examples of such functional changes that are studied under this discipline (Pooler, 2009). The medical term used to refer to kidney stones, is renal calculi. On the other hand, someone diagnosed with this condition suffers from Nephrolithiasis. Kidney stones are common in many people. Statistics show that in every twenty people, at least one person has to develop them at one time in their life (Goldsmith, 2013). Numerous types of kidney stones exist depending on the type of dissolvable minerals deposited to the kidney and other parts of the body such as the urinary tract. There are various causes of kidney stones, as well clinical manifestations associated with them. This essay will explain the causes of renal stones, and identify changes in bodily function of patients associated with the condition.
Causes of kidney Stones
The main cause of kidney stones is imbalance in elements that constitute urine such as dissolvable minerals, salts and water (Pooler, 2009). For example, the recommended amount of water that a human being needs to take in a day is 8-10 glasses. Water in the body helps to dilute uric acid that determines the levels of hydrogen potential in the kidneys. Low water levels in the body lead to high acidity in the kidneys, thus creating a favorable atmosphere for development of renal stones. An imbalance in these crucial elements determines the type of kidney stones diagnosed in an individual (Goldsmith, 2013). Kidney stones are small and build up on the interior coating of the kidney, where dissolved mineral deposits congregate. Some of the dissolvable mineral deposits that cause renal stones include uric acid, calcium, and oxalate among others. Deposited minerals stick together to form kidney stones in situations when the urine lacks certain essential elements that prevent the bewildering from taking place (Pooler, 2009).
Uric acid deposits lead to uric acid stones that develop in individuals with low body fluid levels. Low water levels in the body are caused either by too much loss or by too little uptake of the same. Uric acid stones are also very common among people with gout, people who consume foods with high protein content, as well as people with certain genetic conditions that predispose them to the condition (Goldsmith, 2013). Another common type of kidney stones is calcium stones that develop due to high levels of calcium in the body. High concentration of calcium and oxalate in the kidney is responsible for development of kidney stones (Goldsmith, 2013).
Kidney stones pass through the urinary tract, and it is hard to notice them unless one experiences pain during urination (Pooler, 2009). According to medical practitioners, not all kidney stones get out of the body completely through urine. Some remain in the body and predispose individuals to other conditions. Kidney stones retained in the body often lead to blockage of the urethra, which leads to unbearable pain (Rodman, 2010). Apart from imbalances in levels of dissolvable elements in the body, certain medical conditions predispose individuals to kidney stones.
Clinical manifestations of kidney stones
An individual diagnosed with kidney stones often shows a number of clinical manifestations or symptoms. Symptoms of kidney stones are not visible until the stones become mobile, and detach from the walls of the kidneys and move to the urethra (Rodman, 2010). A patient diagnosed with kidney stones can also experience nausea, bloodstains in the urine, as well as an unsettled stomach and fever. Someone can also experience an abnormal feeling to urinate, pain while passing urine, smelly urine, and colored urine (Rodman, 2010).
Movement of stones along the urinary tract can lead to changes in the intensity of pain, and its location. Symptoms of kidney stones do not appear in a similar fashion in all patients, thus the need to understand critical conditions when visiting a practitioner (Goldsmith, 2013). When a patient experiences a combination of two or more symptoms, it is advisable to seek the services of a doctor. It is also important for patients to pay enough attention to any symptoms of kidney stones, and avoid the desire to assume that everything is okay. Early detection of kidney symptoms is essential and effective in treatment of kidney stones (Goldsmith, 2013).
Conclusion
Kidney stones are one of the major challenges in the field of medicine, and are avoidable if people have the right knowledge and information. Numerous types of kidney stones exist depending on the type of dissolvable minerals deposited to the kidney and other parts of the body such as the urinary tract. Prevention of kidney stones is better than treatment. Therefore, people need to drink water as recommended by medical practitioners as a sure way of avoiding the medical condition. It is also important for people to have knowledge of their medical and genetic history because it can help to prevent and manage renal stones.
References
Goldsmith, D. (2013). ABC of Kidney Disease, Second Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Pooler, C. (2009). Urinary Tract Stone Disease. California: Cengage Learning.
Rodman, J. (2010). No More Kidney Stones: The Experts Tell You All You Need to Know about Prevention and Treatment. New York: John Wiley & Sons.