Kidney Stones Research Paper

Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are essentially smaller sized deposits of calcium which can be found in the nephrons and vary in size and shape. The stones have the opportunity to increase and travel down into the urinary tract, which can cause extreme pain throughout the body. Stones occur when salts in the urine form into a solid crystal. They can potentially block the flow of urine in the body and cause infection, kidney damage, or could lead to kidney failure. A sudden change or increase in salt and mineral levels consumed could cause coagulation, which further increase the size of the stones.
Most kidney stones form on the interior surface of the kidney, where urine leaves the kidney tissue and enters the bladder. Kidney stones come in a variety or mineral types, including calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones and cystine stones. Kidney stones are most commonly formed when substances such as calcium, …show more content…
Kidney stone treatment is most commonly covered by health insurance. Patients that are covered by health insurance generally are only required to pay for visits to a hospital, any required medication prescribed and a hospital co-payment. On average, the payment for a patient hospital co-pay ranges from $132-$232. Patients that are not covered by health insurance typically pay less than $500 for the natural passing of kidney stones, which includes the overlooking of a doctor for the process. For kidney stones to be surgically removed, or through the use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), patients are expected to pay anywhere from $10,000-$20,000, however, the general fee for treatment of kidney stones in Australia is typically $4,500. Patients may be advised to commence a kidney stone prevention diet, depending on the type of kidney stone endured. Additional consultations for such processes can cost from $100-$200