Previous Investigations Of Mitochondria In Kidney Stone Disease
Previous studies have shown that the pathogenic processes of kidney stone disease are associated with oxidative stress condition . The involvement of oxidative stress in kidney stone disease has been found in various in vitro studies and animal models as well as stone formers . Such oxidative induction leads to several downstream cascades, particularly inflammatory response and tissue injury . More importantly, there is increasing evidence demonstrating that the tissue injury induced by oxidative stress enhances retention of the causative crystals inside renal tubules and/or kidney interstitium that is one of the crucial steps for kidney stone formation . While a number of reports have shown overproduction of ROS in renal tubular epithelial cells followed by cellular injury, many antioxidant compounds have been introduced to cope with such oxidative stress, to reduce cellular/tissue injury, and to inhibit kidney stone formation . Because cellular oxidation is mostly associated with mitochondrial activities, mitochondria are thus directly involved in such cellular oxidative stress.
Kidney Disease & Itching
Kidney disease itching or kidney itching as it is referred to colloquially is an important symptom of advanced CKD. The build-up of toxins, excess fluid, wastes, and excess electrolytes could be a potential cause for the itching. Itches are frequent and are accompanied by a persistent desire to scratch. Frequent bouts of itches can be aggravated by allergies, irritants, uncomfortable clothing, and pollution.
Ways Stress Can Impact Urologic Health
There is certainly no shortage of stress these days, and that nagging anxiety can affect us in multiple ways, including physically. At some point in your life you will be forced to deal with it, so along with heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney stones, here are 3 ways stress can impact urologic health.
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What Is The Difference Between Proteinuria And Transient Proteinuria
Transient proteinuria is temporary. Causes typically include intense exercise, stress, fever and prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Transient proteinuria usually goes away on its own.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Proteinuria is high levels of protein in your pee. If you have proteinuria, you may have to pee more often, and your pee may be foamy or bubbly. You may have general feelings of illness, including nausea, vomiting, tiredness and swelling. If you have any of these symptoms for more than a few days, its a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider. They can help you diagnose a condition thats causing your proteinuria and prescribe treatments that help keep your kidneys healthy.
Does Stress Cause Kidney Stones

As humans, we all know that stress can be a very bad thing. It can cause many problems with your body. Some of these problems include weight gain, heart problems, and even serious medical issues like kidney stones. Stress can also increase the amount of urine that you produce, which can increase the chance of having a kidney stone. It is therefore important to manage your stress levels to help prevent these problems from happening.
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Stress Cystitis In Cats
In stressful times, our pets can be a great source of comfort. But sometimes our pets will also get stressed by changes to routines, or picking up on their owners emotions. Stress and anxiety can manifest in many different ways, but one condition we see frequently in young to middle aged cats is called Stress Cystitis. The symptoms of stress cystitis look very similar to a urinary tract infection straining to urinate, crying when urinating, passing small amounts of urine more often, urinating outside of the litter tray, blood in the urine, and licking around the genitals, but urine testing typically shows no signs of bacteria. We do not fully understand this condition but it is thought that stress or anxiety can lead to inflammation in the bladder similar to that caused by infections. Sometimes additional testing such as blood tests, x-rays and/or ultrasound may be needed to rule out other problems like kidney disease, bladder stones, or tumours in the urinary tract, particularly in older cats.
Ask us for more information about reducing stress in your feline friend!
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More About Happy Urology
Can stress cause kidney stones? The answer is that it could, but not directly. Stress indirectly causes kidney stones because stressed people are more likely to have a poor diet and sleep poorly without drinking water. Aside from providing our readers and patients with useful resources like this one, our Miami urologists offer a collection of different services, like Miami Penuma surgery and other types of silicone penile implants. Contact us today to learn more about our services, which include:
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What Causes Pain From Kidney Stones
The painful sensation with kidney stones is usually because of the spasms due to stones stuck in your ureter. The pain again escalates due to the pressure imposed on your kidney due to urine backup.
Many women have also described the pain of passing a kidney stone as worse than pain during childbirth. In some cases, the stones are small enough to cause no blockage and pass through the urinary tract without giving you any pain symptoms.
The stones causing the blockage initiate pain at the back, around the kidneys, spine below the rib cage, groin, or lower abdomen.
Theres a tissue that surrounds the kidney, called a capsule, which doesnt have any nerve fibers for transmitting any form of pain. But, due to the kidney pressure and urine backup, this capsule expands. Hence, this swelling activates the nerve fibers and signals the brain an intense pain.
If you ask us how fast can kidney stones form or grow bigger to cause pain symptoms, then the answer is either in a few weeks or months. It all depends on the saturation point of your body to withstand the urine with some adverse substances.
Causes Of Kidney Infection
A kidney infection usually happens when bacteria, often a type called E. coli, get into the tube that carries urine out of your body .
The bacteria travel up to your bladder, causing cystitis, and then up into your kidneys.
E. coli bacteria normally live in your bowel, where they cause no harm.
They can be transferred from your bottom to your genitals during sex or if youre not careful when wiping your bottom after going to the loo.
A kidney infection can sometimes develop without a bladder infection. For example, if you have a problem with your kidney, such as kidney stones, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
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Stress And The Kidneys
Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney disease. Having high blood pressure can damage our blood vessels, including the blood vessels in our kidneys. When the vessels in our kidneys arent working properly, our kidneys cant work like they need to.
Another reason to take deep breaths at work when our boss is stressing us out!
How To Cope With Stress And Heavy Emotions
Everyone deals with stress differently. For some of us, taking a brisk walk can help us calm down and think a little bit clearer. For others, getting coffee with a close friend does the trick.
Sometimes therapy from a qualified professional is the answer. Whatever the preferred method of stress relief, find time for it regularly to reap the benefits. Here are some ideas to help.
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What Is Medullary Sponge Kidney
Medullary sponge kidney, also known as Cacchi-Ricci disease, is a birth defect where changes occur in the tubules, or tiny tubes, inside a fetus kidneys.
In a normal kidney, urine flows through these tubules as the kidney is being formed during a fetus growth. In medullary sponge kidney, tiny, fluid-filled sacs called cysts form in the tubules within the medullathe inner part of the kidneycreating a spongelike appearance. The cysts keep urine from flowing freely through the tubules.
Symptoms of medullary sponge kidney do not usually appear until the teenage years or the 20s. Medullary sponge kidney can affect one or both kidneys.
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Is Cranberry Juice Good For Kidney Stones

Some people recommend cranberry juice for kidney stones, but in fact, they dont have proven benefits to reduce kidney stones. They do work to reduce urinary tract infections and these prone to struvite stones, but there is a lack of information.
Others like orange juice or lemonade have shown promising results on kidney stones decrease, but not all citric juices work. These have resulted because of potassium citrate, which lows kidney stones and that kidney pain.
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Physical Stress Management Techniques
Exercise
Exercising can be a great way to relieve stress! Pick a favorite type of movement to get the heart rate up.
That can mean biking, walking, going to the gym, tai chi, yoga- whatever you would look forward to!
Pets
Having a pet or companion animal has been associated with decreased loneliness and anxiety. If you are at risk for falls, looking at pictures of animals or petting a friend or neighbors animal can be just as beneficial.
Eating Well
Does a diet have to be perfect 100% of the time? No. But that doesnt mean that we cant focus on nourishing the body, including the kidneys, properly.
Focus on a balanced diet and dont overdo it on caffeine.
One of the best ways to improve this area is to work with a renal dietitian. The Kidney Stone Nutrition School is an online course created and taught by renal dietitian Melanie Betz. We have partnered with her in the course to offer this to more kidney warriors!
Youll get 6 weeks of video content, meal plans and recipes, and worksheets to help you find the best kidney stone nutrition plan for you.
How Do Doctors Treat Kidney Stones
The treatment for a kidney stone depends on:
- The size of the stone
- The type of stone
- If the stone is causing you pain
- If the stone is blocking your urinary tract
If your kidney stone is small, your doctor may have you take pain medicine and drink fluids to help push the stone through your urinary tract and out through your urine .
If your kidney stone is large or if it is blocking your urinary tract, a different treatment may be needed. Treatment options include:
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Regulation Of Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is mostly induced by excessive cytoplasmic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species emission . Electron transfer at complexes I and III has been proposed as the main source of ROS overproduction . Mitochondria can consume oxygen for ATP production, leading to generation of ROS such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide . These ROS are important for cellular signaling pathways as well as cell cycles , apoptosis , protein kinases, and protein phosphatase . Under physiologic condition, mitochondria have highly efficient antioxidant systems to keep the balance with ROS . For example, superoxide dismutase rapidly reduces O2 to H2O2 faster than the rate of O2 production . Subsequently, glutathione peroxidase completes the reduction processes by converting H2O2 to water . During oxidative stress , excessive ROS emission occurs because the mitochondrial scavenging system is overwhelmed by the perpetual increase in ROS production, the so-called ROS-induced ROS release . As a result, mitochondrial functions are altered, leading to mtDNA damage and oxidative modifications of mitochondrial proteins and enzymes in TCA cycle and ETC .
Is It Normal To Have Bloody Urine When You Have A Uti
If you menstruate, you might wonder if your bloody urine is caused by a UTI or menstruation. Along with urinary bleeding, UTIs and periods share symptoms like: To determine which one you have, consider your overall symptoms. Youre likely menstruating if you have: These symptoms arent typically associated with UTIs.
After all, its not like we really want to be staring at our dogs while they pee. Sometimes, though, bloody urine is obvious, especially if your dog urinates on a light colored surface, like snow, carpet, or the floor.
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Origin Of Kidney Health Worries
The kidneys are an unusual organ to worry about, and yet they’re a very common one for those that have anxiety. So why is it that people become so concerned about the health of their kidneys? The answer is the following:
- Extra Urination Anxiety can cause more frequent urination. When you experience anxiety, the part of your brain that controls the withholding urination slows down because anxiety requires resources to be sent to other parts of your brain. This can lead to concerns over your renal health, although nothing is wrong.
- Lower Back Pain Lower back pain is also very common with anxiety. Lower back pain comes from severe stress and tension, and yet it’s associated with some conditions that affect the kidneys as well which can have many people worried about their kidney health.
- Life Experiences Anyone that suffers from anxiety and has had a friend or family member diagnosed with a terrible kidney condition is at risk for developing anxiety over the idea of poor kidneys. Anxiety can turn life experiences into very real concerns, and so kidney health concerns are one of the issues that can come up when you see it in others.
- Urine Color Urine color is another issue that can cause anxiety. Many people check their urine color for diseases habitually, and every once in a while the color of a person’s urine may be very different than what they expect. This can create concerns that the urine color changes are due to kidney problems.
What Are The Symptoms Of Kidney Stones In Cats
Mid Atlantic Cat Hospitals Dr. Rucinsky explains that most of the time kidney stones in cats dont result in any outward symptoms. However, she explains that cats may have some mild symptoms, like bloody urine but no obvious pain with urination.
Dr. Rucinsky, who is also a board-certified feline practitioner and a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Feline Specialty, cautions that if your cat is having symptoms such as, anorexia, fever, lethargy or abdominal pain, it usually means that the stone is contributing to an infection or inflammation in the kidney. Take your cat to the vet right away.
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Prevention Of Kidney Stones
According to doctors, kidney stones can be prevented in many cases. If you know you are at risk for any of the reasons listed here, drink at least 14 glasses of water a day. In addition, you can decrease the risk of developing kidney stones with the withdrawal of oxalate-rich foods. Some of these include sesame seeds, spinach, cabbage, refried beans, and sweet potatoes.
How Do I Know I Have A Kidney Problem

Some symptoms can be quite specific to illnesses of the urinary system, such as:
- Severe pain: When there are kidney stones, they usually cause intense pain doctors to call nephritic colic. It originates from the lower back and can go down and upfront following the pathway of the ureters. This severe pain can also lead to nausea and vomits.
- Frequent urination: If there is renal failure, the kidney cannot absorb back the blood that filtrates, and there is an increase in the frequency of urination. Or, if there is also a urinary tract infection besides the kidney stones.
- Difficulty to urinate: When there are bladder stones, they can obstruct the way from the bladder to the urethra, making it hard for the patient to urinate. It can also cause pain or a burning sensation when the patient goes to the bathroom.
- Fever: Infections can be common in the urinary tract, especially for women, in which doctors associate it with fevers.
- Fluid retention, also known as edema, causes swelling in the lower parts of the body because of kidney failure.
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Bone Pain & Weak Bones
The kidneys are important regulators of blood calcium levels. Impaired kidney function can result in lower blood calcium. This causes the bones to release calcium into the blood to enable muscle functioning. A persistent release of calcium from the bones reduces bone density and can result in weak bones.
How Can I Prevent Acute Kidney Failure
Preventing and treating illnesses that can lead to acute kidney failure is the best method for avoiding the disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, having a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a sensible diet can help to prevent kidney failure. Work with your doctor to manage existing medical conditions that could lead to acute kidney failure.
Acute kidney failure can be a life-threatening illness. Chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease can develop. Theres a greater risk of death if kidney failure is caused by severe infection, trauma, or surgery.
The following can also increase the risk of death:
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The Surprising Link Between Chronic Kidney Disease Diabetes And Heart Disease
Getting active is one of the best ways to help you prevent or manage CKD, diabetes, and heart disease.
Find out how these chronic conditions are connected and how to prevent or manage all three.
The body is complicated! While organs in your body each have a specific job to do to keep you healthy, they still rely on each other to function well. When one organ isnt working the way it should, it can put stress on other organs, causing them to stop working properly as well.
The relationship between chronic kidney disease , diabetes, and heart disease is one example of the ways our organs are connected.
The body uses a hormone called insulin to get blood sugar into the bodys cells to be used as energy. If someone has diabetes, their pancreas either doesnt make enough insulin or cant use the insulin it makes as well as it should.
If someone has CKD, their kidneys are not able to filter out toxins and waste from their blood as well as they should.
Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common condition, coronary artery disease, leads to changes in blood flow to the heart, which can cause a heart attack.