Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari - Prostate Cancer Treatment in Aundh, Pune
What are kidney stones?
- kidneys
- ureters
- bladder
- urethra
Types of kidney stones
Calcium
Calcium stones are the most common. They’re often made of calcium oxalate (though they can consist of calcium phosphate or maleate). Eating fewer oxalate-rich foods can reduce your risk of developing this type of stone. High-oxalate foods include:
- potato chips
- peanuts
- chocolate
- beets
- spinach
However, even though some kidney stones are made of calcium, getting enough calcium in your diet can prevent stones from forming.
Uric acid
This type of kidney stone is more common in men than in women. They can occur in people with gout or those going through chemotherapy.
This type of stone develops when urine is too acidic. A diet rich in purines can increase urine’s acidic level. Purine is a colorless substance in animal proteins, such as fish, shellfish, and meats.
Struvite
This type of stone is found mostly in women with urinary tract infections (UTIs). These stones can be large and cause urinary obstruction. They result from a kidney infection. Treating an underlying infection can prevent the development of struvite stones.
Cystine
Cystine stones are rare. They occur in both men and women who have the genetic disorder cystinuria. With this type of stone, cystine — an acid that occurs naturally in the body — leaks from the kidneys into the urine.
Risk factors for kidney stones
Other risk factors include:
dehydration
obesity
a diet with high levels of protein, salt, or glucose
hyperparathyroid condition
hyperparathyroid condition
gastric bypass surgery
inflammatory bowel diseases that increase calcium absorption
taking medications such as triamterene diuretics, antiseizure drugs, and calcium-based antacids