Kidney Stone Causes & Prevention

Kidney stone causes should be learned before it is too late. Passing a kidney stone is no walk in the park. In fact, it can be an excruciating process and certainly one you would never want to repeat—ever. That is why learning about kidney stone prevention is crucial.

What Causes Kidney Stones? 

Before we discuss kidney stone prevention, it is important to know the causes of kidney stones. Kidney stones are solid masses that form when minerals or salts found in the urine become solid or crystallize inside the kidney. In many cases, these crystals are too small to cause any problems and pass through the body easily. But, in some cases, they can build up inside the kidney and become large stones. When these large stones try to pass through the ureter, they become stuck, and this is where the pain begins.

For the most part, kidney stones have no single cause. However, identifying the stone can help determine the underlying cause and best preventative approach. Types of kidney stones include:

·         Calcium Stones— Spiky, large and smooth these are the most common kidney stones. Usually in the form of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, these stones can be caused by high doses of Vitamin D. People who have cancer, some kidney diseases, and sarcoidosis are more likely to develop calcium stones.

·         Uric Acid Stones—Formed of uric acid, a byproduct of protein metabolism, these smooth, brown and soft stones are typically caused by a high-protein diet. Certain genetic factors can also lead to uric acid stones. Conditions, such as gout and procedures such as chemotherapy can increase the risk of these types of stones.

·         Cystine Stone—Found only in a small percentage of stones (1 in a 100), these yellow stones form in people with a hereditary disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete extreme amounts of certain amino acids.

·         Stuvite Stones—Usually the result of urinary tract infections, stuvtite stones occur more often in women. These horn-shaped stones can become enormous, even large enough to fill a kidney’s urine collecting space. Ouch!

Kidney Stone Prevention 

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help prevent your body from developing more kidney stones and give yourself kidney stone relief. And best of all, much of the “work” can be accomplished at home. Some home treatment for kidney stones include:

• Drink more fluids! Eight to 10 glasses of water a day should do it. This will help dilute your urine and keep it clean and clear. Plus, water helps flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.
• Do NOT drink grapefruit juice.
• If you are one of the many folks who develop calcium stones, keep a low-oxalate diet by reducing your intake of foods, such as tea, cooked spinach, chocolate and asparagus.
• If you develop uric acid stones, eat less meat, poultry and fish. There are also medications your doctor can prescribe to lower your risk of developing these stones.
• Exercise is key. It assists with the passage of calcium out of the bloodstream and into the bones. Just remember to keep yourself hydrated while exercising.

Go see your doctor if you have any pain or if you want more information about kidney stone prevention. The more you know about this painful condition, the better you can prevent it in the future.