Kidney stones are hard deposits that form when certain minerals and other substances become concentrated in the urine and form crystals. Dehydration, diet, family history, certain health conditions, and changes in urine chemistry can all contribute to kidney stone formation.
The most common kidney stones are made from calcium, but uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones can also develop. The cause of a kidney stone can vary depending on its type and the factors affecting a person’s urine.
Understanding what causes kidney stones can help you identify risk factors and take steps to reduce the chance of developing them. People who have had kidney stones before may have a higher risk of developing them again. If you’re searching for an emergency room in Baytown, TX for severe kidney stone symptoms, visit us for prompt evaluation.
What Are Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones form when substances in urine become concentrated enough to create crystals. These crystals can gradually stick together and grow into hard deposits inside the kidneys.
A stone may remain in the kidney without causing symptoms, or it may move into the ureter. When a stone blocks the flow of urine, it can cause significant pain and other urinary symptoms.
Dangerous Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can cause sudden and severe symptoms, particularly when a stone moves through the urinary tract. Common symptoms include:
- Sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin
- Pain that comes and goes or changes location
- Blood in the urine, which may make urine appear pink, red, or brown
- Pain or burning during urination
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Difficulty passing urine
- Fever or chills, which may indicate an infection
Small stones may pass without causing noticeable symptoms. However, severe pain, fever, chills, persistent vomiting, or difficulty urinating can require prompt medical evaluation. If you experience these symptoms, seek care for a urological emergency promptly.
What Are the Types of Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones are classified according to the substances that make them up. Calcium stones are the most common, while uric acid, struvite, and cystine stones occur less frequently.
Identifying the type of stone can help healthcare professionals determine why it formed. It can also help guide dietary and medical strategies for preventing future stones.
Calcium Stones
Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stone. Most are made from calcium oxalate, while some contain calcium phosphate.
They can form when urine contains high levels of calcium, oxalate, or other substances that promote crystal formation. Dehydration and certain dietary or health factors can increase the risk.
Uric Acid Stones
Uric acid stones form when urine contains too much uric acid and is too acidic. High levels of uric acid can cause crystals to form and eventually develop into stones.
A diet high in animal protein and certain health conditions, including gout, can increase the risk of uric acid stones.
Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are associated with certain urinary tract infections. Specific bacteria can change the chemical balance of urine, allowing struvite crystals to develop. Bladder infections can sometimes involve the same urinary tract bacteria and, when left untreated, may spread upward toward the kidneys.
These stones can grow quickly and may become large. Treating the underlying infection is an important part of managing this type of stone.
Cystine Stones
Cystine stones are uncommon and occur because of an inherited condition called cystinuria. This condition causes the kidneys to release too much cystine into the urine.
Because cystinuria is inherited, cystine stones can occur earlier in life and may continue to recur without appropriate treatment and prevention.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
Kidney stones develop when the balance of water, minerals, salts, and other substances in urine allows crystals to form. The more concentrated the urine becomes, the easier it can be for certain substances to stick together.
The causes can include dehydration, high levels of calcium or oxalate, high uric acid levels, dietary factors, certain medications, medical conditions, and inherited conditions. Often, more than one risk factor contributes to stone formation. If you’re looking for a Baytown ER for severe kidney stone symptoms, visit us for prompt evaluation.
Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the most important risk factors for kidney stones. When you do not drink enough fluids, your urine becomes more concentrated, increasing the amount of stone-forming substances relative to water.
Heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, intense physical activity, and spending significant time in hot environments can all increase fluid loss. Replacing lost fluids can help keep urine diluted.
High Levels of Calcium in Urine
Calcium stones can develop when there is too much calcium in the urine. This does not necessarily mean that a person is consuming too much calcium through food.
Certain health conditions, genetics, medications, and other factors can increase urinary calcium. Dietary patterns and fluid intake can also influence the concentration of calcium in urine.
High Oxalate Levels
Oxalate is a naturally occurring substance found in many foods. When urine contains high levels of oxalate, it can combine with calcium and contribute to calcium oxalate stone formation.
Foods such as spinach, nuts, and some other plant foods contain oxalate. People who repeatedly develop calcium oxalate stones may receive individualized guidance about their oxalate intake.
High Uric Acid Levels
Uric acid is produced when the body breaks down purines, substances found naturally in the body and in certain foods. When uric acid levels become too high or urine becomes too acidic, uric acid crystals can form.
Eating large amounts of animal protein can increase uric acid production in some people. Gout and other conditions affecting uric acid metabolism can also increase the risk of uric acid stones.
Too Much Sodium
A diet high in sodium can increase the amount of calcium released into the urine. Higher urinary calcium can make calcium stone formation more likely in susceptible individuals.
Processed foods, packaged meals, salty snacks, and restaurant foods can contain significant amounts of sodium. Limiting excessive sodium intake may help reduce kidney stone risk.
Too Much Animal Protein
Large amounts of animal protein can affect urine chemistry and increase the risk of certain types of kidney stones. Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs all contribute to animal protein intake.
Animal protein can increase uric acid production and may also affect other substances involved in stone formation. People with recurrent stones may benefit from discussing appropriate protein intake with a healthcare professional.
Not Getting Enough Dietary Calcium
Although calcium is a component of many kidney stones, not getting enough calcium from food can also increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones in some people.
Dietary calcium can bind with oxalate in the digestive tract, reducing the amount of oxalate absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually excreted in urine. Calcium supplements and dietary calcium can have different effects, so individual guidance may be appropriate.
Certain Health Conditions
Some medical conditions can change the balance of substances in urine and increase the likelihood of kidney stones. These may include gout, hyperparathyroidism, certain digestive conditions, and other disorders affecting metabolism. Kidney infections can also affect the urinary system and may occur alongside conditions that interfere with normal urine flow.
Conditions that cause chronic diarrhea or affect nutrient absorption can also contribute to stone formation by changing fluid and mineral levels.
Digestive Conditions and Surgery
Certain digestive diseases and surgeries can affect how the body absorbs water, calcium, and oxalate. These changes can increase the amount of oxalate reaching the kidneys and raise the risk of calcium oxalate stones.
People with conditions that cause chronic diarrhea or intestinal malabsorption may therefore have a higher risk of kidney stones.
Certain Medications
Some medications can increase kidney stone risk by changing the levels of minerals or other substances in the urine. The risk depends on the specific medication, dosage, and individual health factors.
Do not stop or change a prescribed medication without medical advice. If you have recurrent kidney stones, tell your healthcare professional about all prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements you take.
Family History and Genetics
A family history of kidney stones can increase your likelihood of developing them. Certain inherited conditions can directly affect how the kidneys process substances involved in stone formation.
Cystinuria is one example of an inherited condition that can cause recurrent cystine stones. Genetic factors can also contribute to a person’s overall susceptibility to other types of kidney stones.
Who Is at Higher Risk of Kidney Stones?
Anyone can develop kidney stones, but certain factors can make them more likely. Risk can be influenced by hydration, diet, family history, medical conditions, medications, and previous stones.
People who have already experienced kidney stones may be particularly susceptible to recurrence. Identifying the reason a stone formed can help guide prevention. Risk factors for kidney stones include:
- Previous kidney stones
- Family history of kidney stones
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Frequent dehydration
- High-sodium diet
- High intake of animal protein
- Certain dietary patterns
- Obesity
- Certain digestive conditions
- Gout and other metabolic conditions
- Certain medications
- Inherited disorders affecting urine chemistry
- Living or working in hot environments
- Heavy sweating without adequate fluid replacement
How Can You Prevent Kidney Stones?
Prevention depends on the type of kidney stone and the reason it formed. However, drinking enough fluids and maintaining a balanced diet are important strategies for many people. Helpful prevention measures include:
- Drink plenty of fluids: Adequate hydration helps dilute minerals and other substances in urine.
- Limit excessive sodium: Reducing salty and highly processed foods can help lower urinary calcium.
- Maintain normal dietary calcium: Do not unnecessarily eliminate calcium-rich foods unless advised by a healthcare professional.
- Moderate animal protein: Avoid excessive amounts of meat and other animal-based protein.
- Manage oxalate intake when appropriate: People with calcium oxalate stones may need individualized guidance about high-oxalate foods.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Weight management may reduce some risk factors associated with kidney stones.
- Stay hydrated in hot weather: Replace fluids lost through sweating, especially during exercise or outdoor work.
- Follow individualized medical advice: Recurrent stone formers may need urine testing, dietary changes, or medication to reduce recurrence.
When Should You Seek Medical Care for Kidney Stones?
Some kidney stones can pass on their own, but certain symptoms can indicate a blockage or infection. Severe or persistent symptoms should be evaluated rather than managed at home without medical guidance.
Seek prompt medical care if kidney stone symptoms are accompanied by fever, chills, difficulty urinating, persistent vomiting, or severe pain that does not improve. If these symptoms occur, visit a 24/7 emergency room for prompt evaluation.
Severe or Persistent Pain
Kidney stone pain can be intense and may move from the back or side toward the abdomen or groin. Pain that is severe, persistent, or difficult to control may require medical evaluation. A healthcare professional can determine the stone’s location and whether treatment is needed to help it pass or relieve an obstruction.
Fever or Chills
Fever and chills can indicate an infection, particularly when they occur alongside kidney stone symptoms. An infection combined with a urinary blockage can become a serious medical problem. Seek prompt medical attention if you develop fever, chills, worsening pain, or other signs of infection.
Difficulty Urinating
A kidney stone can block the flow of urine as it moves through the urinary tract. Difficulty urinating or being unable to urinate can indicate significant obstruction. This requires prompt medical evaluation, especially when accompanied by severe pain, fever, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms.
Get Care for Severe Kidney Stone Symptoms
Kidney stones can cause severe pain and urinary symptoms, and complications may require prompt medical attention. Severe pain, fever, chills, persistent vomiting, or difficulty urinating should not be ignored.
Neighbors Emergency Center provides 24/7 emergency care with emergency medical professionals, on-site imaging, and laboratory services to help evaluate urgent symptoms. If severe kidney stone symptoms require immediate evaluation, visit Neighbors Emergency Center.