Final answer:
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are often composed of calcium oxalate crystals, with calcium oxalate stones being the most common type. Treatment options include medications like thiazides and potassium citrate to adjust urine composition and address metabolic issues contributing to stone formation. Large stones causing blockages may require surgical or ultrasound interventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kidney Stones and Their Most Common Type
Kidney stones, or renal calculi, are solid concretions of minerals that form in the kidneys due to the crystallization of substances in the urine like calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus. The most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium oxalate crystals. Factors such as low dietary intake of calcium can increase the risk of these stones, as dietary calcium binds to oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the amount absorbed into the bloodstream and subsequently excreted into the urine.
Treatment for Kidney Stones
When it comes to treatment (tx) of kidney stones, the course will depend on the type of stone and its underlying cause. Treatments can include medication such as thiazides, potassium citrate, magnesium citrate, and allopurinol. These drugs help reduce the formation of stones by adjusting the composition of urine or affecting the underlying metabolic conditions contributing to stone formation.
Kidney stones can greatly vary in size, and not all stones cause symptoms. Small stones may pass without notable pain, whereas larger stones can cause severe pain and may require interventions such as surgery or ultrasound treatments to remove them if they cause a blockage in the urinary tract. The blockage can lead to severe symptoms, including renal colic, nausea, vomiting, and hematuria.