Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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Passing the stone
Posted: 05.09.2012 at 7:21 PM
Jennifer Perez

Reporter

0

What causes kidney stones?

ISHPEMING -- Trina Johnson didn't think too much about having blood in her urine until after the test results showed she had a stone in her left kidney.

"I started working and I thought I just had a gassy belly, and when I started having a little pain, I was, like, please be gas, please be gas, and it just got worse. Actually I had to go the emergency room the next day," said Johnson.

Kidney stones form due to an excess amount of calcium buildup. Most people don't know they have a kidney stone until it gets big enough and starts moving. At that point you may experience lower back/side pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and find blood in urine.

Doctors say one in ten people get kidney stones. Once you've had it, you have a 50 percent chance of getting it again.

The main cause:  dehydration. Nurse Practitioner, Erik Korpi, says to stay away from caffeine.

"Pop, soda, coffee with caffeine dehydrate you. So for each cup of coffee you drink, you really should get a glass of water to supplement what you will lose," said Korpi.

How can you prevent it? Facebooker Craig's Garage says:  "The only thing I could find on natural remedy for the type I had was lemon juice and lots of water."

Urologist Shahar Madjar says if the stone is too big, surgery is needed.

"We use a laser and with a laser we break it. Then we use a grasper that we slowly, slowly remove the little stones," said Madjar.

So remember to drink lots of water and try to stay away from caffeinated products because it is healthier. 

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