How do you get kidney stones?

 

Minerals and salts make up kidney stones, which are hard deposits in the kidney. They may be harmful to you. But how do you get kidney stones? How can kidney stones be diagnosed?
Which foods and drinks may help in preventing kidney stones? How can I prevent kidney stones? etc are some questions of concern. In this article, you are going to get the answers to such questions.

Below are some factors that cause you to get kidney stones, which are discussed in detail:

 

Low urine volume

Constantly low urine volume increases the risk of kidney stones. In addition to dehydration (loss of body fluids), hard exercise, working in a hot place, not drinking enough fluids, or living in a hot environment may contribute to low urine volume. Low urine volumes result in concentrated urine that is dark in color. Concentrated urine means that you have less fluid to dissolve large salts in urine. If you drink lots of water or other fluids, you may dilute your urine and, as a result, you may reduce your risk of kidney stone formation.

Diet

Diet is also an effective factor in causing kidney stones. Calcium kidney stones are commonly caused by high levels of calcium in the urine. A buildup of calcium in the urine may be the result of your body handling calcium in the urine. Anyhow, calcium consumption does not always contribute to high urine calcium levels. In most cases, lowering your calcium intake won't prevent stones from developing. There is evidence that restricting calcium in the diet can have adverse consequences for bone health and can increase a person's risk of developing kidney stones. 

In general, health professionals don't recommend limiting dietary calcium to lower urine calcium. However, calcium intake should not be too much. A decrease in sodium (salt) intake may be more effective than lowering dietary calcium intake in reducing urine calcium levels. Diets high in salt are associated with calcium stone formation. A large amount of sodium is being excreted in the urine, which keeps calcium from being reabsorbed into the blood. When salt in the diet is reduced, urine calcium is reduced, making calcium stones less likely to form.

Eating high oxalate foods raises the risk of forming calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common type of kidney stone. The acid level can be increased in the body by eating high protein foods like chicken, fish, pork, and beef. Calcium oxalate and uric acid stones are more likely to form when acid levels are high. Catabolism of meat elevates the chances of calcium and uric acid stone formation.

Bowel Conditions

If you suffer from diarrhea (such as Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis), or if you undergo certain surgeries (such as gastric bypass surgery), you are more likely to develop calcium oxalate kidney stones. A large amount of body fluid is lost due to diarrhea, causing low volume urine. Oxalate may also be absorbed from the intestine, resulting in increased urine oxalate levels. Subsequently, calcium oxalate stone development increases with an increase in urine oxalate and a low volume of urine.

Obesity

Obesity or being overweight is also one of the causes of stones. Obesity may cause stone formation by changing the acid levels in the urine. 

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions may lead to kidney stone formation such as hyperparathyroidism and distal renal tubular acidosis. Parathyroid glands control calcium metabolism. The abnormal growth of one or more of them (parathyroid glands) can elevate the level of calcium in the blood and urine. As a result, it causes kidney stones to develop. When you are in distal renal tubular acidosis, acid accumulates in your body which leads to calcium phosphate kidney stones.

Certain types of stones can also be caused by rare, inherited conditions. For example, in cystinuria, too much cystine is found in the urine, and in primary hyperoxaluria, too much oxalate is produced by the liver.

Medication

Some supplements, including vitamin C, calcium, and other medications, can cause stone formation. If you take any medications or supplements, be sure to let your doctor know, as these could affect your risk of kidney stones. You must continue taking these medications until you have been told to do so by your healthcare provider.

Family History

If you have a parent or sibling who has kidney stones, your chances of having kidney stones are higher.

How can kidney stones be diagnosed?

The presence of "silent" kidney stones, those that cause no symptoms, is often found through an X-ray during a health exam. In other cases, stones are diagnosed when immediate pain is felt as they are passing.

A CT scan or ultrasound may diagnose a stone when a patient has blood in the urine (hematuria) or sudden abdominal or side pain. Health care providers can use these imaging tests to determine the size and location of the stone. Patients who are suspected of having a stone are often given a CT scan in the ER. A CT scan allows for an accurate diagnosis to be made quickly.

Which foods and drinks may help to prevent kidney stones?

In the following paragraphs, you are going to know the answers to some frequently asked questions that many people, having kidney stones or at the risk of having kidney stones, ask. 

FAQs answers

Are there any home remedies to prevent kidney stones? or
Which foods or drinks may help to treat kidney stones? 

• Three liquids are traditionally believed to help with kidney stones:

 

Vinegar of Apple cider: Vinegar is acidic and it can sometimes create changes in your urine, which helps with kidney stones. However, it does not always work. Before using vinegar, consult your health provider about its use.

Juice of Cranberry: Cranberry juice is well known for its benefits for treating urinary tract infections, however, it does not help treat stones. 

Lemon juice: Lemon juice is beneficial for preventing kidney stones as it is rich in citrate. Citrates are also found in other citrus fruits as well including melons, oranges, and limes, etc.

• Researchers have found that coffee lowers the risk of kidney stones.

• Don't drink soda or other drinks that are high in sugar or fructose corn syrup since they increase the risk of developing kidney stones.

How can I prevent kidney stones?

You can prevent kidney stones in many ways, including:

Drink water

To prevent kidney stones you should drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day. If you drink lots of water you urinate more frequently hence in this way you may flush away the substances that may lead to kidney stone formation. In the case of excessive sweating, drink even more water.

The average adult should drink 2.5 liters of fluid daily (23 gallons) to prevent stone formation. What matters most is to drink enough fluid although water is likely to be the best fluid to drink.

Limit salt

Sodium should be eaten less. Consult a dietician if you need help choosing foods to eat.

Lose weight

Try to lose a few pounds if you are obese. To get an idea of your ideal weight, consult your doctor. 

Take prescriptions

There are some medications that your healthcare provider may prescribe to prevent kidney stones as well. Depending on the type of stone you get, the type of medication may differ.

If I develop calcium oxalate kidney stones, should I cut calcium out of my diet?

Calcium-containing kidney stones may lead you to stop eating foods that contain calcium. However, you should do the opposite of what you do. A diet high in calcium and low in oxalate is recommended if you have calcium oxalate stones, which are the most common type.

There are many calcium-rich foods, including:

• Cow’s milk.
• Cheese.
• Yogurt.
• Dried beans.
• Calcium-fortified juices.
• Calcium-fortified hot cereal.
• Salmon.
• Broccoli.
• Kale.

You should reduce the following foods that are rich in oxalates:

• Tea.
• Nuts and nut butter.
• Rhubarb.
• Dried peas and beans.
• Strawberries.
• Spinach.
• Wheat bran.

To dilute urine you should drink plenty of fluids.

In the following paragraphs, you are going to discover answers to some questions that come often to the mind of patients having kidney stones.

Are kidney stones deadly?

Can kidney stones cause death? That's not true. People do not die from kidney stones.

Is it possible to live normally when you have kidney stones?

Your day-to-day activities shouldn't be affected by kidney stones, nor should your quality of life be drastically affected. Kidney stones do not last as long as they are passed during urination, and there are treatment options available as well.

Why can kidney stones be a problem?

It is not always the case that stones remain in the kidneys. They may sometimes enter the ureters, passing through the kidneys. The stones may be too large to pass smoothly down through the small and delicate ureter and then to the bladder. 

Spasms and irritation of the ureters can occur as a result of stones passing down the ureters. This causes bloody urine.
Sometimes stones may also cause blockage of the urine flow termed urinary obstruction. These urinary obstructions may cause kidney infection and kidney damage.

What is the average passing time for kidney stones?

Each person's passing of a kidney stone will take a different amount of time. Small stones may pass in one to two weeks if they are less than 4 mm (millimeters). It could take between two and three weeks for a stone larger than 4 mm to pass.

Stones that reach the bladder typically pass within a few days, though in older men with large prostates they may take a little longer. If you don't pass the stone within four to six weeks, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider if the pain subsides.

Can a large kidney stone cause an injury?

If a kidney stone is large or located in a dangerous place, your risk of injury may increase. Large stones could lodge in the ureter, causing a buildup of pressure. It can result in renal failure, and in the worst-case scenario (which is rare), you may lose your kidneys. It is less than 10% likely that a 1 cm stone will pass, and stones larger than 1 cm seldom do.

What is the duration of the pain after passing a kidney stone?

Several days after passing a stone, the pain can persist. However, if the pain persists, a test (usually an ultrasound) is conducted to check for any further blockages (possibly due to a stone fragment still present).

Do kidney stones cause kidney disease?

Unfortunately yes, chronic kidney disease and kidney stones are more common when you've already had kidney stones.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, don't hesitate to visit your healthcare provider. To prevent complications, you'll need to know where and how big the stone is so that you can get treatment.

When should I go to the emergency department?

In case of extreme pain, visit the emergency department. If you experience pain and nausea/vomiting, your doctor may prescribe medication.

A note from Health For All

Kidney stones are not deadly but can be extremely painful. Take preventive measures and prefer to drink lots of water to avoid kidney stones. Find medical assistance before the pain aggravates and the condition becomes serious.

 

Some related articles:

Kidney Stones Causes, symptoms, and treatment 

What are the causes of Kidney Pain?