kidney stone medical term - #15185
I am freaking out a bit here, I just got back from the ER and they told me I have a kidney stone, like what?! I mean, I thought it was just a bad stomach ache but turns out it’s this whole kidney stone medical term situation. They explained that it some kind of blockage and which can be super painful. I’m like, how did this happen? I drink water, and I've been trying to eat healthy. But now I'm looking up this kidney stone medical term everywhere and it just makes me more confused. The pain I had was unreal—sharp and sudden. And they did a CT scan and boom, kidney stone diagnosed. The doctor mentioned something about them being small or large, but how does that work? Like, if it’s small can it still hurt that much or is it just the location? I’m just trying to figure out what I can do to prevent these stupid things in the future. Anyone have experience with this kidney stone medical term stuff? What should I be eating or avoiding? I really don’t want to go through that pain again. Seriously, any advice would be super helpful!
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Doctors’ responses
The term you’re probably looking for is “nephrolithiasis,” which is the medical term for kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard mineral and salt deposits that form inside your kidneys. They’re infamous because of the potential for causing severe pain as they pass through your urinary tract; even small stones, less than 5 mm, can be excruciating and might not pass as smoothly as expected. This pain often stems from both the stone’s size and location—it can create blockage and lead to dreadful discomfort, especially when moving through narrow parts like the ureters. In terms of what causes kidney stones, several factors come into play, including diet, hydration levels, genetic predisposition, and certain medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism. Although you’ve been drinking water and trying to eat healthy, certain elements in your diet might contribute to stone formation. High consumption of salt, animal protein, vitamin C, oxalate (found in foods like spinach), or excessive calcium supplements can increase the risk. To prevent future stones, focus on maintaining high fluid intake—enough to produce at least 2-3 liters of urine per day, minimizing salt and sugar intake, moderating protein consumption, avoiding oxalate-rich foods if instructed by your doctor, and implementing dietary calcium rather than supplements. It’s important to adapt preventive measures tailored to your specific stone type, which your doctor can help identify. Regular follow-ups may help assess and fine-tune your dietary and lifestyle adjustments. As symptoms may escalate, monitor closely and seek medical attention promptly, especially if you experience more severe symptoms like fever, blood in urine, or unable to manage pain with prescribed medications.
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