Question

Peter, a forty-three year old office worker, was struck with a very sudden and intense pain in his side and lower back. He was breathing deeply, and the pain began to recede. Eight minutes later, the pain was not as severe but Peter was still uncomfortable and called his physician. One of Peters’s colleagues drove Peter to the doctor’s office. While on the way to his appointment, Peter experienced another bout of severe pain and began to feel nauseous. The pain seemed to be spreading into his lower abdomen and groin.

After asking Peter a few questions about his symptoms, the doctor requested an abdominal x-ray, several blood tests, and urinalysis. As Peter supplied the urine sample he was disturbed to notice that the urine had a pinkish cast. The physician returned and informed Peter that he had a kidney stone which, based on its size, should pass on its own within a day or so. The doctor told Peter that he should rest at home until the stone passed, drink at least 2-3 quarts of water each day, and strain his urine in order to retrieve the stone for analysis. The doctor also gave Peter a prescription for pain medication.

Peter passed the stone the following morning and brought it to the doctor’s office. Analysis of the stone’s composition revealed that it was a calcium stone. Peter’s blood and urine tests had also shown high calcium levels. Based on this, the doctor told Peter to eat fewer foods containing calcium or oxalate and provided Peter with a list of foods to limit. He also told Peter to continue to drink at least two quarts of water each day.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Peter's symptoms, including sudden and intense pain in his side and lower back, along with the pain spreading to his lower abdomen and groin, were indicative of a kidney stone. The doctor's diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of a kidney stone and high calcium levels in Peter's blood and urine.

1) Symptoms: Peter experienced sudden and intense pain in his side and lower back, which are common symptoms of a kidney stone. The pain started to recede after a few minutes but remained uncomfortable. During the journey to the doctor's office, Peter had another bout of severe pain, accompanied by nausea. The pain then spread to his lower abdomen and groin.

2) Diagnosis: The doctor requested an abdominal x-ray, blood tests, and a urinalysis to confirm the presence of a kidney stone. The pinkish cast in Peter's urine further supported the diagnosis. The stone's composition analysis revealed that it was a calcium stone, which is one of the most common types of kidney stones.

3) Treatment: Based on the size of the stone, the doctor determined that it should pass on its own within a day or so. Peter was advised to rest at home until the stone passed. To facilitate its passage, he was instructed to drink at least 2-3 quarts of water each day. Straining his urine was recommended to retrieve the stone for analysis. Additionally, the doctor prescribed pain medication to alleviate Peter's discomfort.

4) Dietary Recommendations: Since Peter's blood and urine tests showed high calcium levels and he had passed a calcium stone, the doctor advised him to consume fewer foods containing calcium or oxalate, which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Peter was provided with a list of foods to limit. However, it's important to note that calcium restriction should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as adequate calcium intake is essential for overall health.

In summary, Peter's symptoms, the presence of a kidney stone, and high calcium levels in his blood and urine led to the diagnosis of a calcium stone. The treatment included rest, increased fluid intake, pain medication, and the retrieval of the stone for analysis. The doctor also recommended dietary changes to reduce the risk of future kidney stone formation.