Why Do I Get Kidney Stones So Often?

Kidney stones are a common problem for millions of Americans. They’re so common that approximately 19% of men and 9% of women can expect to have at least one stone over their lifetimes. What’s more, as many as half of those people will have more than one stone, experiencing repeated episodes of painful symptoms. 

At Nephrocare MD LLC, Chadi Saad, MD, and his team help patients find relief from painful kidney stone symptoms — but they go one step further, offering guidance and treatment focused on helping prevent kidney stone recurrence. Here, learn why kidney stones form and what causes them to recur.

Understanding kidney stones

Your kidneys’ job is to filter waste products and excess fluids from your blood. Kidney stones form when those waste products — typically excess minerals and salts — “clump” together and form hard concretions that vary from quite tiny to as large as a golf ball.

These stones interfere with normal kidney function, preventing urine from moving through the urinary tract. As the kidney stones move, they can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, and fever or chills. 

The most common type of kidney stone is composed of calcium and a compound called oxalate. Other types of kidney stones include:

• Uric acid stones, typically associated with dehydration or high-protein diets
• Struvite stones, often linked to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Cystine stones, a rare type associated with a genetic disorder called cystinuria

Sometimes, calcium oxalate stones occur alongside calcium phosphate stones, a type of stone associated with kidney problems or other issues affecting urinary tract function.

Kidney stones treatment

Very small kidney stones can pass on their own. Drinking plenty of water can help flush them out while pain medication relieves symptoms in the meantime. 

Larger stones require surgery to break them into smaller pieces so they can pass naturally out of the body or to remove the entire stone. Prompt medical treatment is essential for relieving complications that can lead to serious infections or permanent kidney damage.

Why stones recur

Though some people only get one kidney stone during their lives, many others develop stones on a more frequent or regular basis. Several factors can contribute to recurrent kidney stones, and knowing what those factors are can help you take steps to prevent stones in the future.

Dehydration

Your kidneys depend on a steady supply of fluid to flush out excess minerals and prevent them from building up. If you aren’t drinking enough water, urine becomes more concentrated, and the risk of stone formation increases. 

Dietary habits

Your diet can play a role in kidney stone recurrence, too. For instance, high-protein diets increase the amount of uric acid in your body, which can lead to uric acid stones. Consuming oxalate-rich foods, like chocolate, spinach, and nuts, increases the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation. 

Medications and supplements

Some medications can lead to kidney stone formation, including diuretics and calcium-based heartburn medicines. If you take high doses of vitamin D or calcium supplements, your risk of stones can increase, too.

Frequent UTIs

Struvite stones are associated with UTIs. If you have UTIs regularly, your risk of developing these stones may increase as well.

Certain medical conditions

Kidney stones are also more common among people with certain medical conditions, like diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, gout, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Managing these conditions is essential for reducing your risk of stone formation.

Genetics

Finally, your genes can play a role in whether or not you’ll develop kidney stones or recurrence. If you have a family history of kidney stones or certain genetic disorders like cystinuria, you’re more likely to experience them yourself, too.

Keep your kidneys healthy

Kidney stones can happen for different reasons, but the good news is, all types of kidney stones can be treated — and with the right treatment plan, you can reduce the risk of recurrence, too. 

To learn more about kidney stone treatment and prevention, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Saad and the team at Nephrocare MD LLC in Dearborn, Michigan.