About Kidney Stones

Haven’t heard about Medullary sponge kidney before? Some of us might recognize it while the other major part actually doesn’t. This kind of kidney disorder remain silent since this type is out fame consider to other type kidney problem, such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, kidney failure, etc. There for not many of us known that this problem actually carried by one of every 100 to 200 people who have some form of this disease.

So, what is exactly this kind of problems are? As we know the main function of kidney is to filter urine from the blood and send it down directly to very small collecting tubes toward the urethras or sometimes called ducts, which carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. These small tubes gradually join together until they reach the renal pelvis, where the urethras begin. When joining, they are supposed to get progressively bigger as they get fewer in number. In medullary sponge kidney case, the small tubes are irregular in diameter, there for it would form pools of urine along the way. The problems actually started from this stage, as these pools can encourage kidney stones formation and infection if it left remaining like that.

As this disorder actually infamous and particularly unspotted, same condition likely happen with this disease cause and symptoms. Although some cases of this disorder seem to be inherited, the cause factors remain unknown. In some case, the symptoms, which associated with medullary sponge kidney, are related to infection and kidney stones passage. Many infection cases reported fever; back and side pain; cloudy, burning urine; and other discomfort feeling. While kidney stones responsible for causing pain in the rear and groin as it pass by. Like it usually happen in kidney stones cases, Medullary sponge kidney sometimes cause some bleeding. The different is, unlike kidney stones bleeding which visible, the Medullary sponge kidney bleeding may not be visible in the urine, but it is apparently appear under a microscope.

Like many other diagnosis for kidney diseases, recurring kidney infections, bleeding, or kidney stones will prompt x rays of the kidneys. The appearance of medullary sponge kidney on an intravenous pyelogram. Usually x rays will take part at the upper urinary system. As the symptoms sometimes hard to recognizes, many of patient ignore or not aware with any signal related to it. Ignoring symptoms can result in progressive damage to the kidneys and ultimate kidney failure, but attentive early treatment will preserve kidney function.

For those who already diagnose having this problem, some periodic treatment for kidney infections and kidney stones will need. Infections should be treated with antibiotics early in order to prevent kidney damage. For kidney stones cases, it may need to be surgically removed or using other friendly option, such as traditional treatment and herbal. In most cases, surgical removal can be accomplished without an incision and only used simple instruments to reaching up through the lower urinary tract and grab the kidney stones. Also there are new methods of kidney stone treatment called lithotripsy or shock wave therapy. Special instrument will focus a blast of shock waves that will breaks kidney stones into pieces and the remains will pass out naturally. This method actually considered reasonably safe and usually effective.

Lot of people actually have already known the basic treatment how to avoid many kind of kidney problem. But in majority not many of them obey it, and let it slip beyond their awareness. Diligent monitoring for infection at regular intervals and at the first symptom will give the best long-term results. Just with drinking lot of liquids, most kidney stones can be prevented. For calcium kidney stones, can be deterred by regularly taking a medication that encourages urine production or taking diuretic therapy.

Compile and re-written based on article by J. Ricker Polsdorfer
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