Renal calculi or kidney stones are hard deposits that develop along the urinary tract. This medical condition can be extremely painful and kidney stones cannot be removed with operation. It is such a common condition that every year, around 10% US citizens get diagnosed with kidney stones. So, what are kidney stones causes and what risk factors you should keep in mind to prevent kidney stones? In this article, we will answer all your questions about kidney stones. Therefore, read this article till the end as one in every ten people is likely to have kidney stone at least once in their life.
Kidney Stone Types
- Uric acid stones
- Cystine stones
- Struvite stones
- Calcium stones
What Can Cause Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are so common because there is no definite or single cause. However various factors can increase a person’s risk of getting kidney stones. We have discussed the risk factors for kidney stones in the next section.
However, before we proceed, let us first understand how kidney stones are formed. Your urine contains acids, minerals, and different substances (like oxalate, uric acid, and calcium). Calcium, uric acid, or oxalate are all crystal-forming substances, and they have a tendency to stick together if the liquid in the pee is too little. In other words, if an individual does not drink sufficient water, the crystal-forming substances in their urine will be more that the liquid can dilute. This creates a favorable environment for the minerals to crystallize and become a pebble-like mass.
This pebble-like mass is what we call a kidney stone, and several stones can be formed at once. They can develop over months/ years, and they can be of different sizes.
Some stones are so tiny that they are unnoticeable, and a small kidney stone may pass with your urine without causing any trouble. They can also be as big as the size of a pea and a large stone can get trapped in your ureter. It will not only block the flow of urine but also cause intense pain.
Symptoms of Kidney Stones
- Severe pain when trying to urinate
- Burning sensation when peeing
- Brown, red, or pink urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Cloudy urine
- Vomiting and nausea
- Pain in the groin and lower abdomen
- Having an urge to urinate frequently
Risk Factors for Kidney Stones
Now have a look at the factors that can lead to a higher risk of getting kidney stones or some other kidney disease:
- Studies have revealed that there is a direct link between dehydration and kidney stones. This means if you don’t drink enough water for a prolonged period, stones can form.
- Very few people know that there is a connection between obesity and kidney stones. Research has also found that people with high BMI (body mass index) along with lack of physical activity are more prone to getting different types of stones in their kidneys.
- Medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism, multiple urinary tract infections, cystinuria, osteoporosis, kidney cysts, parathyroid disease, high BP, inflammatory bowel disease, paraplegia, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and renal tubular acidosis may increase the risk of having kidney stones.
- If you are on a high-sodium diet or there is excessive calcium intake, don’t get surprised if your doctor says you have kidney stones. Excessive protein consumption should also be avoided.
- Certain medications can again encourage stones to form in your kidneys. These include vitamin C supplements, calcium tablets, laxatives, and medicines that treat depression and migraines. Note that taking these medications occasionally don’t pose any threats but long-term use should be avoided.
- Did one of your family members suffer from kidney stones? If you suddenly get kidney stones despite making healthy lifestyle choices, the cause can be traced back to your genetic predisposition.
Tips to Minimize the Risk for Kidney Stones
To reduce the risk of kidney stones, you can do the following:
- Keep your body hydrated to prevent stones from forming. If you don’t like drinking water, you can have fruit juices sometimes.
- Maintain a healthy body weight by exercising regularly.
- Don’t eat too much protein, sodium, sugar, or calcium to keep common types of kidney stones at bay.
The Takeaway
Lastly, if you have been diagnosed with kidney stones, do not panic. To pass a kidney stone, just strictly follow the diet recommended by your physician and have 4 liters of water daily. Most stones pass with urine within a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the most common causes of kidney stones?
Most people with kidney stones are from 20 to 50 years of age and the cause can be genetics, obesity, limited intake of water, gastric bypass surgery, having a high protein diet, etc.
Q. Can certain medical conditions increase my risk of developing kidney stones?
Some medical conditions elevate the chances of getting kidney stones. These are and hyperparathyroidism, diabetes, cancer, UTI, inflammatory bowel disease, and renal tubular acidosis.
