Urinary stones, also known as kidney stones, occur when small crystals form in the urine as it leaves the kidneys. When these crystals lodge in urinary tubes, they can cause severe pain and discomfort. A doctor will use your medical history, lab tests and X-rays to diagnose urinary stones. Read on to learn how to diagnose urinary stones.

Identify the Cause of Your Urinary Stones: -

•    Ask your doctor to run tests on any stones you have already passed. When you doctor finds out what your kidney stone was made of, she can tailor her treatment of remaining stones.
•    Learn about kidney stones made of calcium. Calcium urinary stones are the most common, and can be caused by a diet filled with meat, fish and fowl.
•    Ask your doctor if your stones were caused by repeated urinary tract infections. Sometimes the bacteria that cause such infections secrete a substance that can crystallize and cause stones.
•    Tell your doctor if you have been diagnosed with gout. Gout, which involves severe swelling in the joints, is caused by crystallized uric acid deposits on joint cartilage. People with gout are at an increased risk of developing similar crystals in their kidneys.

Practice Urinary Stone Prevention:-

•    Drink plenty of water. Drinking between two and three liters of water each day will help you keep a steady flow of urine moving to move along kidney stones.
•    Cut back on salt. Health care professionals recommend that you read food labels and use table salt sparingly. Salt causes your body to retain, rather than pass, water.
•    Eat protein in moderation. Some types of kidney stones are caused by an overabundance of protein in your system. When the kidneys cannot filter all of the protein out, these stones is formed.
•    Avoid calcium supplements. Research has shown that consumption of calcium supplements can increase the risk of kidney stones. Discuss this with your doctor if he prescribes extra calcium for you.
•    Read your medicine bottles. Some medications such as potassium citrate can raise your risk of forming urinary stones.
•    Monitor your intake of foods that are high in oxalic acid such as spinach, chocolate, peanuts and soda. These foods may increase kidney stone risk.
•    Look into prescription medications. Medications like Allopurinol (a gout medication) may aid help dissolve kidney stones. You must get a prescription for this drug.

Manage Kidney Stone Pain: -

•    Discuss your pain level with your doctor. Kidney stone pain is intense and may require you to take narcotic drugs such as morphine for relief.
•    Turn to acupuncture. Some people find that this ancient system of stimulation with small needles reduces pain.
•    Give therapy a try. Many therapists are versed in focused imagery, which patients use to help them manage and live with pain. Ask a therapist to teach you these pain management techniques.

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