Kidney stones are formed in the kidneys or particularly in the urinary tract. There is no connection in the body wherein the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract are connected. Further, Poop, as per the definition, means, removal of solid waste from the body, which is done by the gastrointestinal tract and the waste escapes from the body through anus.
Do You Poop out Kidney Stones?
Is there any connection between urinary system and gastrointestinal system? It is known that the kidney stones are formed in the kidney and removed through the urinary tract either through dissolution or by splitting them in to small particles to ease them out of the body through urine. Now the question arises that is it possible to remove kidney stones from the gastrointestinal tract or can we literally poop them out. Pooping is the process of removing solid waste materials, which is done by gastrointestinal tract. To answer this question, it is important to find whether there is any connection between the kidney or urinary tract and gastrointestinal system, so that the kidney stones be transported and pooped out from the anus. Urinary system comprises of kidney, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra. The urinary system filters the blood through its specialized cells called nephrons. The gastrointestinal tract comprises of mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine and anus. The urinary system is designed to remove the wastes from the body in the form of liquid while gastrointestinal system is designed to remove the solid waste from the body.
On comprehensive analysis of the human anatomy and physiology it is concluded that there is no anatomical connection between the kidney and the gastro-intestinal system. Further, there is no mechanism in the kidney through which a stone gets reabsorbed and sent back in to the blood from where it ends up in the gastrointestinal system. Thus, it can be concluded that we cannot poop out the kidney stones rather we can only pee the stones provided they are small enough to pass through the urinary tract. Further, if there is any abnormal connection between the rectum and urinary tract called fistula which is serious condition and requires an immediate medical intervention, there are chances that stones may travel to the gastrointestinal tract.
How Kidney Stones Formed?
Kidney has the function of removing toxins and waste metabolites from the blood stream. The blood enters the kidney cells, also known as nephrons, and these nephrons are responsible for filtering the blood at various stages. The impure blood enters in to the kidney and a pure blood exit from the kidney. The kidney removes the waste from the body through urine. The kidney stones formed inside the kidney when the concentration of particular ingredients in the kidney is at higher concentration. In the initial stage, the crystal of calcium and oxalate starts binding to each other in kidney. Then, the crystal which is formed in the kidney binds to each other forming a compact stone. If the stone is too small to pass easily through the ureter, if will come out from the body through urine. However, if it is too large to pass through the urinary tract, it will block the flow of urine and also brushed upon the walls of the ureter. This will cause severe pain. It is when a medical intervention is required. The doctor may either try to dissolve the stone, so that it can easily pass through the urinary tract or advice a surgery.
Conclusion
Kidney stones are formed in the kidney and pass through the ureter and urinary bladder and escape the body through urethra. We cannot poop out the kidney stones as there is no normal anatomical connection between the urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract. However, in certain serious abnormal conditions such as fistula, there are chances that stones may travel from the urinary tract to gastrointestinal tract. However, this condition is much more dangerous than kidney stones and requires an immediate medical intervention.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). “Kidney Stones.” https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones
- Mayo Clinic. “Kidney Stones.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/symptoms-causes/syc-20355755
- WebMD. “Kidney Stones: What You Should Know.” https://www.webmd.com/kidney-stones/default.htm
Also Read:
- What is the Purpose of a Stent for Kidney Stones?
- Can Baking Soda Help Get Rid of Kidney Stones?
- What Would Happen If Kidney Stones Are Left Untreated?
- Kidney Stones Diet: Foods To Eat & Foods To Avoid If You Have Kidney Stones
- Where is the Pain with Kidney Stones?
- Can you Die from Kidney Stones?
- What are the First Signs of Kidney Stones?
- How Long do you Stay in the Hospital for Kidney Stones Treatment?
