Urinary Tract Stones

Stones are hard buildups of minerals that form anywhere in the urinary tract, also called calculi. Renal calculi are formed when the urine becomes concentrated with minerals and salt. The size of stones varies considerably from small 'gravel-like' stones, to large ones. Problems occur when the stone irritates the lining of the urinary tract and produces problems.

Causes

Diabetes- In diabetes, excess of sugar in the blood damages the nephrons which are called as diabetic nephropathy.
High blood pressure- High blood pressure damages the small blood vessels present in the kidneys, which results in the failure to filter the waste from blood.
Hereditary factors – Family history is also responsible for kidney diseases.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Blood in the urine
• Dark coloured urine
• Urge to urinate frequently
• Abdominal discomfort and pain
• Incontinence or obstruction of urine
• Nausea and vomiting along with pain
• Difficulty and excruciating pain while passing urine
• Pain especially in the region between the ribs and hip that extend to the genital area   and thighs

Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection or UTI is the most common type of infection caused by bacteria. Bacteria from the digestive tract that is present in the skin around the rectum, cling to the urethra and start to multiply.

Sometimes an infection remains limited to the urethra called urethritis. But if bacteria moves towards the bladder and divides there, these results in bladder infection called cystitis. Bacteria can travel further to infect ureters and kidneys called pyelonephritis.

Women are more prone to get urinary tract infection than men because of shorter length of their urinary tract.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Backache
• Urge to urinate
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal discomfort
• Sharp pain and excessive burning during urine passage