Kidney stones are tiny, hard lumps that can form inside your kidneys, which are part of your body’s system for getting rid of waste. Let’s learn about what causes kidney stones, how they make you feel, and how you can stop them from forming.
Your kidneys have an important job. They clean your blood and turn waste into urine. This urine has lots of different things in it, like water, sodium, calcium, oxalate, potassium, phosphate, and uric acid. Sometimes, if there is too much of these things or if the urine is too acidic, they can stick together and form crystals. If these crystals aren’t treated, they can grow into kidney stones.
There are five main types of kidney stones, and the most common one is made of calcium oxalate. These stones can be very small and might not be noticed until they get bigger and start moving through the kidney and into the ureter, which is the tube that carries urine to the bladder. The sharp edges of these stones can scratch the urinary tract, causing a lot of pain.
When kidney stones grow and move, they can cause symptoms like:
Luckily, not all kidney stones cause big problems, and many can pass out of your body naturally. Drinking lots of water can help with this. But if the pain doesn’t go away, it’s important to see a doctor.
Some people are more likely to get kidney stones because of certain health conditions. Even though some people get kidney stones for no clear reason, there are things that can make them more likely, such as:
While you can’t always stop kidney stones from forming, you can do things to lower your chances:
Learning about kidney stones is important for keeping them away. By drinking enough water and eating a healthy diet, you can lower your chances of getting these painful stones. If you ever feel symptoms of kidney stones, make sure to see a doctor right away.
Water Detective: Become a water detective and track how much water you drink in a day. Use a small notebook or a chart to record each glass of water you drink. At the end of the day, count how many glasses you had. Discuss with your family why staying hydrated is important and how it helps prevent kidney stones. Try to find out how many glasses of water are recommended for kids your age.
Food Scientist: With the help of an adult, explore the kitchen and find foods that are high in salt. Make a list of these foods and think about how you can replace them with healthier options. For example, instead of salty chips, you might choose fresh fruit or vegetables. Discuss with your family how reducing salt can help prevent kidney stones and why it’s important for overall health.
Crystal Experiment: Conduct a simple experiment to understand how crystals form. Dissolve a few tablespoons of salt in a cup of warm water until no more salt can dissolve. Let the cup sit in a sunny spot for a few days and observe what happens. As the water evaporates, you will see salt crystals forming. Discuss how this is similar to the way kidney stones form in the body when there is too much of certain substances in the urine.
