Kidney Stones

Home » Kidney Stones » Causes

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors increase the risk for developing kidney stones, including inadequate fluid intake and dehydration, reduced urinary flow and volume, certain chemical levels in the urine that are too high (e.g., calcium, oxalate, uric acid) or too low (e.g., citrate), and several medical conditions. Anything that blocks or reduces the flow of urine (e.g., urinary obstruction, genetic abnormality) also increases the risk.

Chemical risk factors include high levels of the following in the urine:

• Calcium (hypercalciuria)
• Cystine (cystinuria; caused by a genetic disorder)
• Oxalate (hyperoxaluria)
• Uric acid (hyperuricosuria)
• Sodium (hypernatremia)

A low level of citrate is a risk factor for hypocitraturia.

The following medical conditions are also risk factors:

• Congenital kidney defect that may increase urinary calcium loss and stone formation (medullary sponge kidney)
• Excessive parathyroid hormone, which causes calcium loss (hyperparathyroidism)
• Gout (caused by excessive uric acid in the blood)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Inflammation of the colon that causes chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and chemical imbalances (colitis)

• Inherited condition in which the kidneys are unable to excrete acid (renal tubular acidosis)
• Intestinal disorder that causes chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and low citrate (Crohn's disease)
• Painful joint inflammation (arthritis)
• Urinary tract infections (affect kidney function)

Diet plays an important role in the development of kidney stones, especially in patients who are predisposed to the condition. A diet high in sodium, fats, meat, and sugar, and low in fiber, vegetable protein, and unrefined carbohydrates increases the risk for renal stone disease. Recurrent kidney stones may form in patients who are sensitive to the chemical byproducts of animal protein and who consume large amounts of meat.

High doses of vitamin C (i.e., more than 500 mg per day) can result in high levels of oxalate in the urine (hyperoxaluria) and increase the risk for kidney stones. Oxalate is found in berries, vegetables (e.g., green beans, beets, spinach, squash, tomatoes), nuts, chocolate, and tea. Stone formers should limit their intake of cranberries, which contain a moderate amount of oxalate.

Kidney Stones Resources

	Join Our Kidney Stones Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted. June 1st is National Cancer Survivors Day Share your survival story and help others in the fight against cancer. Read cancer survivor stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer