Kidney Stones: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Kidney stone disease is also known as renal calculi. Kidney stones refer to solid masses that form crystal-like stones in the kidneys.

Kidney stones vary in size, shape, and composition. They may pose intensive pain and other complications if not treated on time.

Kidney stones usually affect the urinary tract and kidneys. With poor diet and lifestyle, kidney stone disease is on the rise all over the world.

Did you know? About 12% of the Indian population is affected by kidney stone diseases.

With recurrent rates ranging from 10-50%, it is important that we not only treat kidney stones but follow a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep ourselves healthy.

NU Hospitals is a dedicated centre for kidney and urinary health, we provide a comprehensive approach to treating and preventing kidney stones.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones refer to solidified deposits of minerals, salts, or electrolytes. Kidney stones or renal calculi are also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis.

Kidney stones are usually formed inside the kidney and then passed down to the tracks. Most stones are small and flushed out through urine.

This can happen when the urine becomes concentrated paving the way to crystallisation of minerals.

Stones inside the kidneys usually do not cause any pain or show symptoms. But when they pass down to the urinary tract, it causes pain in your back, difficulty, and irritation while urinating.

Kidney stones are mostly treatable, either through medication, lifestyle changes, procedures, or surgeries.

Waste products are typically dissolved in urine. At times dehydration, high mineral concentration, and other medical conditions might cause stones in the kidney.

Common Causes of Kidney Stones that Increase Risk

Factors like genetic, medical, or dietary components can be the causes of kidney stones.

Dietary habits like the below can cause renal stones:

●     Eating more spinach

●     Increased intake of chocolates

●     Consuming more nuts

●     Excessive intake of salt

●     Eating sugary food

●     Consuming low calcium diet

●     Consuming packaged food

●     Relying on processed food

●     Drinking more cool drinks

●     Eating only fast food

Dehydration

Another prominent cause of kidney stones is drinking very little water. This does not mean you flood your body with lots of water. Drinking water in adequate amounts can help in preventing kidney stones.

Drinking less water can impact kidney function and cause mineral deposits in them. The concentration of urine leads to solidifying of minerals and making them hard stones in the kidney.

Medical conditions

People struggling with few underlying medical conditions as stated below are at higher risk of having kidney stone disease.

●     Gout disorders

●     Metabolic disorders

●     Urinary tract infections

●     Hypercalciuria

●     Hyperparathyroidism

●     Hyperoxaluria

●     Renal tubular acidosis

●     Cystinuria

●     Inflammatory bowel disease

●     Sarcoidosis

●     Obesity

●     Diabetes Mellitus

●     Cysts in Kidneys

Medications

●     Antibiotics - Certain antibiotics like cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin, and broad-spectrum penicillins might increase the risk of kidney stones.

●     Diuretics - Meds used to treat excess fluid buildup in the body can also pose a risk of kidney stones.

●     Antacids - Used to treat heartburn and neutralising acid in the stomach. When taken without moderation it can cause kidney stones.

●     Anti-epileptic medicines - These are medicines that treat epilepsy seizures (fits), like Topiramate, Carbamazepine, Gabapentin, Levetiracetam, etc., which can increase the risk of kidney stones

●     Antiretroviral medications - Medicines used to treat HIV can also impact the occurrence of kidney stones

●     Chemotherapy drugs - A few cancer chemotherapy meds can cause kidney stones

●     Ephedrine - A Medication used for asthma and congestion might cause kidney stones.

●     Triamterene - This medication is used to treat high blood pressure and can potentially increase the risk of kidney stones.

●     Glaucoma medications - Medications like Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can cause kidney stones.

●     Vitamin C & D medicines - Increased intake of Vitamin C and Vitamin D medications can cause renal stones

●     Laxatives - certain over-the-counter laxatives used for constipation cause renal stones

Genetics

 A family history of kidney stones also plays a vital role in determining the causes of kidney stones. If you have a family history of kidney stones either paternal or maternal, you are more likely to have kidney stones.

Did you know? The risk of developing kidney stones is 2.57 times higher in men with a positive family history.

 

Recognising the Warning Symptoms of Kidney Stones

Preventing kidney stones is crucial. Identifying the common symptoms helps in a timely intervention, prevention, and treatment of renal stones.

A few common symptoms of kidney stones are:

●     Severe back pain

●     Severe pain in the lower abdomen area

●     Blood in urine showcasing pink, brown, or reddish urination

●     Nausea

●     Vomiting

●     Recurrent fevers with chills

●     Frequent urination

●     Recurrent urine infections

●     Painful urination

●     Cloudy or foamy urine

●     Bad smelling urine

When to consult a doctor?

If you are experiencing pain or irritation while urinating, notice coloured urine, and face unbearable pain in the lower abdomen you should consult a specialist urologist immediately.

Consulting an expert early helps in getting the right treatment with no further complications.

 

Different Types of Kidney Stones

There are different types of kidney stones based on the composition of the stone. Each type has its own causes and characteristics.

1.    Calcium Stones

Calcium stones are one of the most common forms of kidney stones. Consumption of calcium-rich foods and avoiding hydration causes this kind of renal stones. Their composition includes calcium and oxalates.

a.    Calcium oxalate stones

Oxalate is a compound of oxalic acid. When there is excess oxalate in the urine calcium oxalate stones occur. Oxalate is found in both plants and animals.

Oxalate presence is high in the following:

●     Fruits: Grapefruit, dried figs, prunes, kiwi, raspberries, pineapple, dates

●     Vegetables: Carrots, spinach, beets, turnips, okra, parsley, edamame, eggplant

●     Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanuts

●     Drink: Chocolate, hot cocoa, chocolate milk, soy milk, instant coffee, tea

●     Other: whole wheat bread, pasta, wheat bran, tofu, black olives, beer

b.    Calcium phosphate stones

Usually associated with calcium oxalate stones, they are not very common.

These kidney stones are made up of different types of calcium phosphate like hydroxyapatite, brushite, and carbonate apatite.

These stones might be caused by

●     Certain medications

●     Metabolic problems

●     Abnormalities in the urinary system

●     High urine pH levels

●     Renal tubular acidosis

1.    Struvite Stones

Struvite kidney stones are also called infection stones or triple phosphate stones. Because of bacterial infections, hard stones are formed in the upper urinary tract.

When bacterial UTIs (urinary tract infections) produce ammonia in large amounts, it elevates the pH levels of the urine. This in turn makes it alkaline and forms struvite.

Avoiding treatment for struvite kidney stones can lead to kidney dysfunction and end-stage renal disease.

They might also cause branched stones to fill up the entire kidney, causing more difficulty in kidney functions and healthy life.

1.    Uric Acid Stones

When the body metabolizes protein, it produces uric acid. If your urine pH balances are altered, they form uric acid stones.

The prominent causes of uric stone diseases are:

●     Excessive protein consumption (red meat, poultry, fish, shellfish)

●     Gout arthritis

●     Genetic disorders

●     Underlying medical conditions

●     Dehydration

Here is what you can try to prevent uric acid stones:

●     Reduce drinking beer and hard liquor

●     Try to reduce weight in a healthy manner

●     Avoid low carbohydrate diet

●     Consume high-calorie food

1.    Cystine Stones

Cystine stones are stones formed due to the concentration of amino acids in the urine. This is a very rare type of kidney stone. Cystine stones are just 1% of all kidney stones.

 

Affecting adults below 40 years of age, this is a disease caused by a rare genetic disorder called cystinuria. This disease is a condition that does not have a cure but can be controlled.

Cystine stones can be formed in the kidneys or urinary tract. Being stuck there, it should be treated timely. If left untreated it can cause immense pain, irritation, infections, and even kidney damage in the long run.

 

Here is a comparison table showcasing the risk factors of kidney stones

Type	Cause	Risk factors
Calcium Oxalate	Increases oxalate intake	Diet factors
Calcium phosphate	Metabolic conditions	Imbalanced pH levels
Struvite	Bacterial infections	Urinary tract infections
Uric acid	Increased protein intake	Gout arthritis, Obesity
Cystine	Genetic disorder	Family history

 

Effective Tips on How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Yes, kidney stone diseases are troublesome. But when you treat them on time and follow a healthy lifestyle, prevention is possible.

●     Hydration is the key.

Drinking water in adequate amounts is important to maintain proper hydration. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day, this helps in saturating the urine and reduces stone formation. It also helps in maintaining your urine pH levels.

You can also try adding lime in water as a natural citrate to pause the growth of stones.

●     Have an active lifestyle.

Exercise regularly to keep your body fit and in good shape. This helps in maintaining an optimal weight of the body. This further helps in controlling stone formation in the kidneys.

●     Consume a balanced diet.

Make sure your diet is well combined with carbohydrates, protein, and good fats.

Focus on

➔     Low sodium diet

➔     Do not consume calcium-rich foods

➔     Avid high oxalate foods

●     Monitor your protein intake.

Choose plant-based protein instead of animal-based as much as possible. This helps in regulating your uric acid levels.

●     Avail medical assistance In case you are already suffering from kidney stones or see yourself having few symptoms of kidney stones consult an expert urologist.

Medications and therapies will be provided based on your specific condition and type of stones.

Kidney stones disease is very common. This is treatable with proper medication and can be prevented with lifestyle changes.

Understanding how this occurs, recognizing symptoms, and seeking timely medical care helps you with better care.

At NU Hospitals, we have a dedicated team of urologists who will guide you with personalized treatment plans and help you with prevention.

We have the pioneers in treating kidney and urinary issues for 25 years. With advanced technology treatment options, world-class diagnosis, and expert specialists, your kidney health is in the right hands of care.

Book an appointment today to become stone-free and enjoy a life away from pain.