Kidney Stones In Teens – Causes, Symptoms & Remedies
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Is your teen suffering from a kidney stone? Don’t you wish you could help rid her of the pain and discomfort? If this situation resonates with you, you need to read this post. Here we talk about kidney stones in teens, their causes, symptoms and treatment options.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are tiny, solid masses that build up in an individual’s urinary tract. Kidney stones occur when the concentration of salts and minerals reaches saturation point. Can teenagers get kidney stones? Well, kidney stones typically occur in adults, but teens too can suffer from the adverse effects of kidney stones.
The size of a kidney stone can vary from a fraction of an inch to several inches. Tiny stones of about 5 mm can easily pass through the urinary tract naturally. However, larger stones can prove to be quite painful. They can block the flow of urine, which can trigger various urinary tract disorders. For teens, kidney stones can prove to be a deterrent, as it will affect their academic and physical performances adversely.
[ Read: Appendicitis In Teens ]
What Causes Kidney Stones In Teenagers:
There are many causes of kidney stones. More often than not, a teen that has a kidney stone has an underlying condition that increases the risk of kidney stone development. Some general causes include:
1. Dehydration:
If your teen doesn’t drink enough water, the uric acid concentration of the urine may increase. High urine saturation increases the chance of the development of crystals that result in kidney stones (1).
[ Read: Treating Dehydration In Teenagers ]
2. Unhealthy Lifestyle:
If your teen prefers caffeinated or sugary drinks, or you eat too much salt at home, he may be more prone to develop calcium stones. If your teen is overweight, it increases his risk of kidney stone formation (2).
3. Metabolic Disorders:
If your teen finds it difficult to break down and process food, it can lead to a high concentration of cystine or calcium in the urine, which can also lead to the development of kidney stones.
[ Read: Tips To Make Your Teen Eat Healthy ]
4. Urinary Tract Problems:
Kidney stones can lead to urinary tract problems, but sometimes urinary tract problems can you’re you more prone to kidney stone formations as well. Improper urination and excess urine accumulation can lead to crystal formation and later to kidney stones.
5. Cystinuria:
Cystinuria is a genetic condition that lets a large amount of cystine pass through kidneys into the urine. If your teen suffers from cystinuria, chances are he will most probably develop cystine stones (3).
6. Medical Conditions And Medications:
Sometimes, health conditions like gout, parathyroid or thyroid gland disorders, kidney disorders, and certain UTIs, lead to stone formation. Also, an overdose of certain medicines can result in the development of kidney stones (4).
7. Hereditary disorder:
If you or anyone in the family has a history of kidney stones, your teen may be more prone to developing kidney stones.
Symptoms Of Kidney Stones In Teenagers:
Kidney stones can lead to severe pain and discomfort. Some of their common symptoms include:
- Sudden and severe back pain, which may move to the groin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in the urine
Treating Kidney Stones In Teens:
Small stones flow out of the body naturally, but larger stones can lead to pain, inflammation, and higher uric acid concentration. With the right medical assistance, your teen can easily get rid of kidney stones.
1. Sound Waves Or Shock Waves:
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy or sound wave/shock wave treatments break kidney stones down into small pieces. The broken pieces of stone pass out of the body with urine.
2. Ureteroscopy:
The ureteroscope pinpoints the location of the kidney stones. The ureteroscope is a small tube with a camera at one end. Doctors will put your teen under anesthesia and then thread the small tube into the urethra and up into the urinary tract to locate the kidney stone. The tube helps break kidney stones down (5).
3. Surgery:
If your teen suffers from a large kidney stone, then surgery is an effective option. Nephrolithotomy is the most common procedure for kidney stone removal. The surgeon will make a small incision in your teen’s back and insert an endoscope in the kidney to break down or remove the large stone (6).
We hope that you found the information useful. Did your teen ever suffer from a kidney stone? How did you help her cope? Tell us below. Fellow moms would love to hear from you.
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