What Are The Main Causes Of Kidney Stones?

 Kidney stone is a hard deposit made from the mineral and salts in the urine inside the kidneys. These can affect parts of the urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder. Usually, stones form when urine becomes concentrated and allow minerals to crystallize and stick to form it. These need special attention and the best hospital to undergo treatment without much delay.

Types: Four main types of kidney stones are as follows.

Calcium oxalate - It is the most common kidney stone and is created in the urine when calcium combines with oxalate. The reason is mainly inadequate calcium and fluid intake with other conditions.

Uric acid - It is another type of kidney stone often created due to high concentrations of a natural compound, ‘purines’. It is found in foods like organ meat and shellfish. Intakes of high purine lead to the production of monosodium urate, which leads to the formation of stones in the kidneys. Such stones tend to run in the families.

Struvite - It is less common and is created due to upper urinary tract infections.

Cystine - These are rare and tend to run in families.

Many wastes are dissolved in the urine and lead to crystal formation. Such crystals attract other minerals and combine to form solids that gradually become larger, if not passed out from the urine. In normal conditions, the kidneys eliminate such chemicals from the urine. If one’s intake of liquids is enough then these are washed out from urine and there will be no stone formation. The main chemicals which are the reason for stones are calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine, and phosphate.

Once formed the stone may remain in the kidney or it may travel down the urinary tract. Usually, very tiny stones may move out in the urine without much pain but some may not move out and remain in the kidney or any part of the urinary tract and are the reason for pain.

Causes: Mostly the reason for stone formation is low intake of fluids and water, too much or too little exercise, weight loss surgery, infections, and eating too salty or sweet food items. One's family history may be the reason in many cases. There is an increased risk of stones formation if one is consuming too much fructose, it is present in table sugar as well as fructose syrup. Diet, excess body weight, medical conditions, and certain food supplements and medications are also among the many causes of kidney stones.

Symptoms: These include severe lower back pain, blood in urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, foul smell of urine, or it may look cloudy. Mostly pain usually comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity and burning sensation while urinating.

Treatment plan: It depends upon the condition of the stone, like its size, and location. Sometimes, one gets rid of these by drinking a lot of water and others may need medication. In complicated cases after thorough examination doctors may prescribe surgery to remove the critical stones. 

Kidney stone specialist doctors may also recommend preventive treatment plans to reduce the risk of recurring stones if there are chances of developing stones again in the future. You may contact the specialist at Harish Jagtani hospitals for the best guidance and treatment. It is manned by an experienced team of doctors, and other experts to bring world-class healthcare facilities.

- Harish Jagtani