How do kidney stones affect the body?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

As they pass through your urinary tract, kidney stones can obstruct urine from exiting your body and be quite painful. If they are quite large, they may cause damage to the kidneys or cause you to have recurrent urinary tract infections. Kidney stones are considered harmless, although you should contact your doctor if you are having serious pain.

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Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Kidney Stones

Referred to as "silent stones," kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms. The first indication of a kidney stone is often a sudden feeling of extreme pain as the stone blocks the flow of urine. Kidney stones are one of the most painful urologic disorders and one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract. Most kidney stones - which are hardened masses that develop from crystals that separate from the urine in the urinary tract - are passed out of the body without surgical intervention by a doctor. A less common type of kidney stone, called a struvite or infection stone, is caused by infection in the urinary tract. Doctors are not always able to diagnose the cause of a kidney stone, which is why it's important to learn how to prevent them in the fist place. A person who has had a kidney stone in the past may likely form another one.

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