Health Conditions
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form inside the kidneys and are hard objects, made of salt and minerals that typically pass through the ureter. Kidney stones are very common with 1 in 10 people having them in their lifetime in the United States.
Symptoms
Patients with kidney stones can experience:
Low back pain
Pain that spreads to the lower stomach and groin
Pain when urinating
Pink, red or brown urine
Frequent urination
Fever
Causes
There is no definitive cause of kidney stones, however there are factors that can increase the risk of developing one. Risk factors include: a diet high salt and sugar, dehydration, family history, digestive diseases, obesity, and some supplements/medications. An imbalance in the intestinal microbiome may play a part by affecting how the body absorbs, processes, and excretes mineral containing compounds.
Treatment
Treatment options are dependent on the severity and size of the stone. Small stones with few symptoms may be able to pass on their own, however it is important to drink a lot of water and use pain relief medication if necessary. For large stones that are harder to pass naturally, sound waves can be used to break up the stone for easier passage, if severe, surgery can be done to fully remove stones.
Microbiota Therapy Research
ACT research partners at Intermountain Health Park City Hospital in Utah are investigating the efficacy of Intestinal Microbiota Transplant on the development of kidney stones.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Kidney Stone Patients (FMT IMD)
Trial Location: Intermountain Health Park City Hospital – Park City, UT
Trial Status: Underway
Trial Summary:
A Phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial at Intermountain Health Park City Hospital is investigating the impact of microbiota therapy on kidney stone development.
For more information, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05516472
Research Alerts