Kidney Stones And What Causes Them

Kidney stones many times have no particular, single trigger, although a number of factors might increase your chances. Here’s some information from Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, MO about some of those factors.

Kidney stones form whenever your urine contains more crystal-forming substances -- such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid -- than the fluid in your urine can dilute. At the same time, your urine might lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating a perfect environment for kidney stones to form.

Knowing the kind of kidney stone helps identify the cause and may also give clues on exactly how to lower your risk of getting more kidney stones. Varieties of kidney stones include:

•   Calcium stones. Most kidney stones are calcium stones, normally as calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a natural substance found in food. Some fruits and veggies, and nuts and chocolate, have high oxalate levels. Your liver also generates oxalate. Dietary factors, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery, and numerous metabolic disorders can increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine. Calcium stones might also show up in the form of calcium phosphate.
•   Struvite stones. Struvite stones form in response to an infection, like a urinary tract infection. These stones can grow quickly and get quite large, sometimes with very few symptoms or little warning.
•   Uric acid stones. Uric acid stones can develop in individuals who don't drink enough fluids or who lose too much fluid, those who have a high-protein diet, and those who have gout. Certain genetic factors can also boost your risk of uric acid stones.
•   Cystine stones. These stones form in individuals with a hereditary disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids (cystinuria).
•   Other stones. Other, rarer types of kidney stones also can occur.

Factors which increase kidney stone risk for people in St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, and Kirkwood, MO include:

•   Family or personal history. If somebody in your family has kidney stones, you're more likely to develop stones, as well. And if you have already had one or more kidney stones, you are at increased risk of developing another.
•   Dehydration. Not drinking enough water each day increases your chance of kidney stones. People who live in warm environments and those who sweat a good deal might be at greater risk than other people.
•   Certain diets. Eating a diet that is loaded with protein, sodium, and sugar may raise your risk of some types of kidney stones. This is especially true with a high-sodium diet. Too much sodium in what you eat raises the amount of calcium your kidneys must filter and substantially increases your risk of kidney stones.
•   Obesity. High body mass index (BMI), large waist size, and gaining weight have been connected to a greater risk of kidney stones.
•   Digestive diseases and surgery. Gastric bypass surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic diarrhea can cause changes in the digestive process which affect your absorption of calcium and water, increasing the levels of stone-forming substances within urine.
•   Other medical conditions. Diseases and conditions that may increase your risk of kidney stones include renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, specific medications, and some urinary tract infections.

If you think that you might have a kidney stone, the best thing you can do is see a doctor. The experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists have many years of combined experience helping patients with kidney stones and a number of other urological health problems.