Kidney stones are crystalline structures that form from dissolved minerals in the urine. They can be particularly painful when they drop from the kidney into the ureter (the ‘downpipe’ connecting the kidney to the bladder). Kidney stones can be extremely painful, but with proper treatment, they usually do not cause permanent damage.

Types of Kidney Stones

There are several types of kidney stones, each with different causes and characteristics:

Calcium Oxalate Stones:

• Description: The most common type of kidney stone, formed when calcium in the urine combines with oxalate, a natural substance found in many foods.
• Causes: Dehydration is the most common cause, however high intake of oxalate-rich foods, high doses of vitamin D, and certain metabolic disorders can also form stones.
• Prevention: Drink plenty of water, reduce oxalate-rich foods (such as spinach, beets, and nuts), and maintain a balanced intake of calcium.

Calcium Phosphate Stones:

• Description: Formed when calcium combines with phosphate, often in the setting of certain metabolic conditions.
• Causes: Conditions like renal tubular acidosis, a type of kidney disease, and certain medications as well as UTIs
• Prevention: Stay hydrated, follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for managing underlying conditions.

Uric Acid Stones:

• Description: Formed when urine is too acidic, leading to the crystallisation of uric acid.
• Causes: Dehydration, high-protein diets, gout, and genetic factors.
• Prevention: Drink plenty of water, limit intake of animal proteins, and reduce foods high in purines (such as red meat and shellfish).

Struvite Stones:

• Description: Also known as infection stones, these can grow quickly and become quite large, often associated with urinary tract infections.
• Causes: Chronic urinary tract infections, particularly those caused by bacteria that produce urease, an enzyme that raises urine pH.
• Prevention: Manage and prevent urinary tract infections, maintain good urinary hygiene, and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations.

Cystine Stones:

• Description: Rare stones formed from cystine, a building block of proteins.
• Causes: Genetic disorder called cystinuria, which causes cystine to leak into the urine.
• Prevention: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and follow specific dietary recommendations from your healthcare provider to reduce cystine levels in the urine.

Kidney Stone Surgery

If you are curious about kidney stone surgery, you can check out the below procedure performed by Dr Ali at Kakariki Hospital.