Coping with kidney stones: A specialist's insights

According to urologist Dr. Cletus Georges, more and more people are getting kidney stones. As a public service, Dr. Georges shares a few insights on the matter.

What are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are masses that are solid and can be found in the human urinary system. They are crystallized minerals and come in different sizes.

How big are kidney stones?

Kidney stones can be as small as a single rice grain or as huge as a baseball. Some kidney stones are small enough to be passed naturally through urination, but others need surgery to be removed, Dr. Cletus Georges adds.

How are kidney stones formed?

Kidney stones are formed because of a person's inadequate daily fluid intake.

What are kidney stones made of?

Calcium, uric acid, oxalate, and phosphate have been most commonly found to form kidney stones. This is because kidney stones are from these waste products that have been retained in the body.

What are the effects of kidney stones?

At first, people may not notice they have kidney stones. However, when kidney stones become big enough, they can cause pain. Sometimes, they can even stop the excretion of urine. Worse cases even lead to bleeding excruciating pain. At this point, surgery is needed.

What are the risk factors of kidney stones?

The known risk factors of kidney stones are diets high in protein, sodium (salt), and sugar. In addition, certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and gout also increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

How can people avoid kidney stones?

Dr. Cletus Georges urges people to watch what they eat and ensure that they hydrate properly. He also recommends setting an appointment with their urologist if they experience any symptoms.

Dr. Cletus Georges has helped many individuals who have problems that affect the urinary tract. He holds his medical practice in Florida. For more about his specialization, please visit this page.