KIDNEY STONE Meaning and
Definition
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Kidney stones are small, hard mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys. They are also known as renal calculi and can vary in size and shape, ranging from a grain of sand to a larger stone resembling a pearl. These stones develop when certain substances in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate, and phosphate, become highly concentrated and crystallize, sticking together to form solid masses.
When the kidneys cannot effectively filter these substances from the blood, they can accumulate and combine with other waste products, leading to the formation of kidney stones. These stones may remain in the kidneys or pass through the urinary tract, causing immense discomfort and pain. The size and location of kidney stones determine the severity of symptoms.
Common symptoms of kidney stones include severe pain in the back or side, blood in the urine, frequent urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, and a persistent urge to urinate. Other potential symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Treatment for kidney stones depends on their size and location. Small stones may pass naturally through the urinary system with increased fluid intake and pain management. However, larger stones may require medical intervention, such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), which uses sound waves to break them into smaller pieces, or surgical removal.
Preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones include staying hydrated, reducing salt and animal protein intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and following a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Common Misspellings for KIDNEY STONE
- jidney stone
- midney stone
- lidney stone
- oidney stone
- iidney stone
- kudney stone
- kjdney stone
- kkdney stone
- kodney stone
- k9dney stone
- k8dney stone
- kisney stone
- kixney stone
- kicney stone
- kifney stone
- kirney stone
- kieney stone
- kidbey stone
- kidmey stone
Etymology of KIDNEY STONE
The word "kidney stone" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "kidney" is derived from the Old English word "cyne" or "cyn", which refers to the organ responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and producing urine. The word "stone" can be traced back to the Old English word "stan", which means a hard or mineral-like substance.
So, "kidney stone" essentially means a hard substance that forms in or around the kidneys. The term has been in use for centuries to describe the condition characterized by the formation of small, hard deposits within the kidneys, which can cause severe pain and distress.
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