Struvite kidney stones are large stones caused by bacterial waste and infections, common in women, infants, and the elderly. Symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, and loss of appetite. Antibiotics are needed to kill the infection and prevent further stone formation. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy, ultrasound waves, ureteroscopy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy are methods for removal.
Kidney stones are hard rock-like masses that form inside the kidneys as a result of the buildup of minerals and other substances. These masses vary in size and can be as small as a grain of sand or larger than a golf ball. Typically, most are less than 1/3 inch (8.5 mm) in diameter. There are five types of kidney stones, each classified according to the substances that cause it. Struvite kidney stones are larger stones made up primarily of ammonium and magnesium phosphate.
Struvite kidney stones are fairly large stones that look like hard crystals and make up 10 to 15% of all kidney stones. Bacterial wastes and infections are responsible for struvite kidney stones, which form when urea-breaking bacteria thrive in the wake of a kidney or urinary tract infection. These bacteria can be found in the kidneys or blood. Struvite kidney stones are more common in women, infants and the elderly, all of whom are more susceptible because they are more prone to urinary tract infections. The infection, stone formation, and symptoms can be severe.
Struvite kidney stone symptoms vary slightly from other kidney stone conditions. Fever, chills, nausea, and loss of appetite are common, and burning abdominal pain, similar to the pain of a kidney or urinary tract infection, may indicate the presence of struvite kidney stones. Unlike calcium kidney stones, the pain is dull, aching, burning, less localized, and less likely to occur in repeated pain flares. Damage to the inner lining of the urinary tract as a result of an infection can cause blood to appear in the urine. The associated infection can also cause cloudy urine or an unusual odor.
The link of struvite kidney stones with bacteria means that doctor-prescribed antibiotics must be given to kill the infection and prevent further stone formation. If the stone is small enough, it can be passed on by itself through normal urination. If it is too big and painful, other methods for removal must be implemented.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy removes stones smaller than 1 inch (2 cm) near the kidney. Ultrasound waves or shock waves break up stones so they can pass out of the body in urine. Ureteroscopy is used for stones in the lower urinary tract. This involves inserting a tube through the urethra to reach the stones. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy removes larger stones by inserting an endoscope into the kidney through a small opening.
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