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What is Nephrolithiasis?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Nephrolithiasis and renal lithiasis are medical terms for kidney stones. Incidence of kidney stone formation is fairly high and up to ten in 100 people may get at least one stone in their lifetime. It’s usually impossible to miss this condition due to its overt symptoms, but the precise meaning of the condition in terms of long-term health may be dependent on type of stones that develop.

It helps to understand some of the different types of stones that occur in nephrolithiasis. These include struvite stones, which typically form around infectious matter in the kidneys. Some people develop calcium or calcite stones that may be due to excessive levels of calcium oxalate. Those with high uric acid levels may have uric acid stones, or sometimes stones are composed primarily of certain amino acids (cystine stones). Other times cause of formation is not fully clear.

Nephrologists often treat patients with recurring kidney stones.
Nephrologists often treat patients with recurring kidney stones.

The symptoms associated with nephrolithiasis are often difficult to miss. Many people feel significant pain that may occur just below the ribs or in the stomach, pelvis and groin. Urinating tends to cause discomfort and people may feel constant urges to use the bathroom. When urine is produced the color may be wrong and it could brown or pink, or possibly bright red. When people have struvite stones, they may also show signs of nephrolithiasis with fever and flulike symptoms.

A fever that jumps very high can be a symptom of nephrolithiasis.
A fever that jumps very high can be a symptom of nephrolithiasis.

Though many people are able to pass a kidney stone without additional help, the discomfort can increase and complications may sometimes result. Pain can become so bad that nausea and vomiting begin or fever jumps very high. If discomfort reaches an intolerable level, people are advised to seek medical help. Diagnosing presence of kidney stones can lead to treatment and help to determine if underlying conditions need intervention on a more consistent basis to prevent future stone formation.

A kidney stone is a solid mass that develops from crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney.
A kidney stone is a solid mass that develops from crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney.

Diagnosis of nephrolithiasis doesn’t necessarily mean huge interventions. If infection is suspected, antibiotics might be given. Large stones may not be able to pass and doctors might consider different methods for breaking them up, including surgical removal or the use of scopes or radiofrequency to break up and remove stones. For fairly small stones, normal treatment typically consists of getting the affected person to increase water intake significantly and giving supportive medications such as over the counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort, until the stone passes.

Someone with nephrolithiasis may experience pain in their stomach.
Someone with nephrolithiasis may experience pain in their stomach.

High levels of uric acid, high amino acid levels or high calcium levels that create nephrolithiasis all may suggest ongoing conditions that might require continuing care once a stone is passed. Doctors typically want to analyze stones to identify their origin so they know what steps to take to prevent stone formation in the future. Continuing treatment to avoid nephrolithiasis may thus take many forms depending on types of stones, but not all people will require additional intervention beyond passage of a stone.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon194422

What is better? To have an operation or the shockwave procedure? I have calcite stones. Please help me. I'm so confused.

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    • Nephrologists often treat patients with recurring kidney stones.
      By: airborne77
      Nephrologists often treat patients with recurring kidney stones.
    • A fever that jumps very high can be a symptom of nephrolithiasis.
      By: Sanjay Deva
      A fever that jumps very high can be a symptom of nephrolithiasis.
    • A kidney stone is a solid mass that develops from crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney.
      By: 3drenderings
      A kidney stone is a solid mass that develops from crystals that separate from urine and build up on the inner surfaces of the kidney.
    • Someone with nephrolithiasis may experience pain in their stomach.
      By: 9nong
      Someone with nephrolithiasis may experience pain in their stomach.
    • Treatment for kidney stones may include increasing a person's water intake.
      By: fotum
      Treatment for kidney stones may include increasing a person's water intake.
    • Fever may occur with nephrolithiasis.
      By: tab62
      Fever may occur with nephrolithiasis.
    • Pain in the lower back may occur as a result of kidney stones.
      By: JackF
      Pain in the lower back may occur as a result of kidney stones.
    • Large stones related to nephrolithiasis may require surgical removal.
      By: naypong
      Large stones related to nephrolithiasis may require surgical removal.