6 Kidney Stone Symptoms & How To Treat Them

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a kidney stone is defined as ​"hard, pebble-like pieces of material that form in one or both of your kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are in your urine.” These pieces can also form anywhere along your urinary tract (in places such as your bladder, urethra, or ureter).

The size and type of kidney stones can determine the severity of the medical issues they cause, ranging from mild discomfort to excruciating pain and complications. Smaller stones may pass through the urinary tract with minimal pain, while larger stones may require medical intervention and pose a greater risk of complications.

腎結石の原因は、結石ができる物質によって異なります。腎結石の主な原因は、尿中に結石を形成する物質が多く含まれることである：

• カルシウム
• シュウ酸塩
• リン

These minerals are already present in urine and aren’t a cause of medical attention at low levels.

While these minerals are naturally present in urine, they can become problematic at high levels. The buildup of these substances can come from eating certain foods and beverages that contain high amounts of the mineral, especially if a person is already at risk or has a history of kidney stones.

There are a few different types of kidney stones that can form, such as calcium stones, uric acid stones, and more. The type of stone forme depends on the stone-forming substances present in the urine.

カルシウム結石

Calcium stones (also known as calcium oxalate kidney stones) are the most common type of kidney stone. They are usually made from a substance called calcium-oxalate, though some are formed from calcium phosphate.

シュウ酸カルシウムを多く含む食品は、カルシウム結石を形成する主な原因となる。シュウ酸カルシウムを多く含む食品には、以下のようなものがある：

• ほうれん草
• ピーナッツ
• チョコレート
• Other nuts/​nut products

尿酸結石

尿酸結石は、尿中の酸性濃度が高すぎる場合に発生する。尿酸結石は腎臓結石の中で2番目に多いタイプで、通常、以下のような特定の状態にある人に発生する：

• 痛風
• 糖尿病
• 肥満
• Metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure or high blood sugar

These stones have a higher chance of forming if a person’s diet includes large amounts of foods that increase acid levels, such as:

• 魚
• 貝類
• 肉

ストルバイト石

Struvite stones are composed of struvite (also known as magnesium ammonium phosphate), and occur when urine becomes too alkaline, or not acidic enough. These are less common, and usually occur in people with repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) or can be the result of kidney infections. Treating an underlying urinary tract infection or a kidney infection can help prevent stones from forming.

シスチン結石

Cystine stones are the rarest type, and are formed from cystine, an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. These stones usually affect those with cystinuria, an inherited condition that causes cystine acid to form stones in the kidneys. These stones typically form when cystine leaks from the kidneys into a person’s urine.

Symptoms of kidney stones may vary depending on the size. A person may pass small kidney stones without experiencing symptoms at all as small stones tend to pass through the body undetected. However, larger kidney stones can result in symptoms that include:

• Severe pain in the lower abdomen, back or side, and/​or the groin.
• Blood in the urine that makes urine appear pink, red, or brown in color.
• Nausea or vomiting as a result of dealing with severe pain.
• 悪臭がする、濁っている、変色しているなど、尿に異常がある。
• Abnormal urination, such as frequently needing to pee, feeling the urge to pee but not being able to urinate, and/​or experiencing pain during urination.
• 感染症があれば発熱や悪寒が起こることもある。

There are a few risk factors that contribute to developing kidney stones, including

• 家族または個人的な歴史

• Gender: both men and women can get kidney stones, but men have a higher risk

• 水分補給レベル：十分な水を飲まないと腎臓結石になる可能性がある。

• Digestive diseases: such as inflammatory bowel disease can increase one’s risk of developing kidney stones

• Surgeries: gastric bypass surgery and others may increase one’s risk of developing kidney stones

• Diet: certain diets that are high in protein, salt, or sugar increases one’s risk of kidney stone development

• 慢性疾患：シスチン尿症や尿路結石を頻繁に起こす人は、腎結石になるリスクが高い。

In order for a kidney stone to be diagnosed, a complete physical exam and a health history assessment are required. Additionally, blood tests might be given to check the body’s levels of calcium, phosphorus, or uric acid. Other tests can be done to check for or rule out blockages, such as abdominal x‑rays, an ultrasound of the kidney, or a CT Scan.

A healthcare provider may also request that a kidney stone is captured and brought in so the type of kidney stone can be determined.

Kidney stones in some cases may be small enough to pass without medical intervention and can do so without a person experiencing any symptoms. However, if you experience any symptoms such as severe pain in one side of the back or blood in your urine, seek medical attention immediately.

Passing a kidney stone can range from a matter of days to a matter of weeks, depending on the size, location, and how far along it is when discovered.

腎結石はまず腎臓を通過し、尿管に入り、膀胱に入り、尿道に到達しなければなりません。痛みの大部分は、結石が腎臓にあって尿管を通っているときに起こります。結石が膀胱に達すると、痛みは通常治まります。

In general, kidney stones may pass in a week or two, but some can take up to three weeks. If the stone has not passed after four weeks, surgery may be required to remove it.

腎結石は、結石を洗い流す、痛みを抑える、手術を行うなど、さまざまな方法で治療することができます。

自然に石を渡す

The primary approach for treating kidney stones typically involves natural methods to promote the passage of the stone. Drinking 6–8 glasses of water per day is recommended to increase urination, which can facilitate the movement of the stone through the urinary tract.

疼痛管理

To help alleviate severe pain, a healthcare provider may administer or recommend medication. Narcotic medicines may be prescribed in cases of extreme pain and antibiotics will be given if there is an infection present.

For less painful situations, medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen sodium may be prescribed. Additionally, non-medicated options such as a heating pad or taking a hot bath may help to alleviate discomfort.

結石破砕術

Lithotripsy is a medical procedure that uses shockwaves in the kidney to help break up larger stones so they can pass through the urinary tract. Light anesthesia may be used, as the procedure can cause discomfort.

尿管鏡検査

If a kidney stone becomes stuck in the ureter or the bladder, a healthcare provider may perform a ureteroscopy to retrieve it. A ureteroscopy involves inserting a ureteroscope (a small camera attached to a wire) through the urethra into the bladder. A small cage on the instrument is then used to capture the stone and remove it.

While kidney stones usually pass on their own or with aid from medication/​surgery, there can be some complications if a kidney stone is not addressed or taken care of, including:

• 血尿（排尿時に頻繁に血が混じること）。
• 尿路結石
• Severe pain due to a stone blocking the urinary system and preventing urination
• Possible loss of kidney function/​infection

腎臓結石の症状がある場合は、合併症を予防するために医療機関を受診することが重要です。

While kidney stones can happen for a variety of reasons, there are some ways to help prevent them from forming, including

• 適切な水分補給： drinking plenty of water and fluids prevents dehydration, which is a common factor in kidney stone formation.
• 果物や野菜をもっと食べる： オレンジ、グレープフルーツ、ブロッコリー、レタスなどの果物や野菜を多く摂ると、尿の酸性度を下げることができる。
• 塩分摂取量を減らす： 高ナトリウムの食品や食事は腎臓結石を作りやすくするため、塩分は控えめにすることが予防につながります。
• 動物性タンパク質を減らす： 牛肉、豚肉、鶏肉、魚などの動物性タンパク質は尿酸値を上昇させ、尿酸結石の原因となる。
• シュウ酸塩を多く含む食品を制限する： シュウ酸カルシウム腎結石になりやすい人は、ほうれん草、ベリー類、チョコレート、小麦ふすま、ナッツ類、ビーツ、紅茶、ルバーブなどの食品を制限すべきである。
• カルシウムを十分に摂取すること： despite the name ​"calcium stones,” having an appropriate intake of calcium foods can actually prevent kidney stones, because calcium from foods such as dairy binds with oxalate before they reach the kidneys. Talk to your healthcare provider regarding the appropriate amount of calcium for you.
• 薬を飲んでいる： certain medications can be taken that will help prevent the formation of kidney stones, such as:
  • 尿酸結石にアロプリノール
  • カルシウム結石に対するサイアザイド系利尿薬
  • 尿を弱酸性にするための炭酸水素ナトリウムまたはクエン酸ナトリウム
  • カルシウム結石の形成を防ぐリン溶液

腎臓結石は一般的か？

腎臓結石は比較的一般的な疾患で、米国人口の10-15%が罹患する可能性があり、10人に1人が生涯に少なくとも1回は腎臓結石を経験する可能性がある。

腎臓結石は予防できるか？

A person can take measures to potentially prevent kidney stones, such as maintaining proper hydration and making dietary changes. However, it’s worth noting that certain factors such as gender, underlying medical conditions, and genetics may also play a role in the development of kidney stones.

腎臓結石は深刻か？

腎臓結石を治療しないままにしておくと、腎臓感染症などの深刻な合併症を引き起こし、健康を害したり、命にかかわることさえあります。腎臓結石の症状が現れたら、これ以上の合併症を防ぐために、速やかに医師の診察を受けることが重要です。

腎臓結石の痛みを和らげる最速の方法とは？

It’s important to discuss pain relief options with a provider before moving forward with a treatment plan as treatments can vary depending on stone size and its location in the body. However, common treatments for quick relief can include:

• イブプロフェン（Advil）、ナプロキセン（Aleve）、アセトアミノフェン（Tylenol）などの鎮痛剤の服用。

• 水や水分を十分に摂取し、水分補給を心がける。

• 温熱パッドを患部に当てるか、温浴する。

腎臓結石は入院が必要か？

Although some kidney stones can pass naturally, others can cause severe symptoms that require medical attention. If the stone doesn’t pass and the symptoms worsen, healthcare professionals may need to intervene, which could include a visit to the emergency room and possibly hospitalization.

ERで腎臓結石を除去してもらえますか？

結石が自力で通過できるほど小さい場合は、そのプロセスを助けるために水分をたくさん摂るように勧められるでしょう。結石が大きかったり、閉塞を引き起こしている場合は、ERの職員が結石破砕術のような方法で結石を砕くか、尿管鏡検査によって外科的に結石を取り除くことがあります。