What are the Causes of Kidney Stones?

Diet and hereditary factors are among the leading causes of kidney stones. Renal calculi (the medical name for kidney stones) is quite common. Statistics indicate that this condition continues to increase annually and is more likely to affect white males over the age of 50 years, and persons who have had kidney stones previously, or are related to kidney stone patients.

While genetics is an underlying factor in the incidences of kidney stones, the main causes of kidney stones are (in many cases) related to the body's reaction to certain metabolic and chemical conditions.

The following are some of the main causes of kidney stones:

• Poor diet is probably one of the main causes of kidney stones and a major cause of many serious health conditions. Modern living has significantly changed our eating habits. Fast foods, over processed meals, and excessive animal fats and animal proteins, form a large part of many people's diets.

Vegetarians have a much lower risk of developing kidney stones than someone who eats a lot of meat.

• Dehydration is another one of the root causes of kidney stones. A lack of fluids increases the concentration of minerals in the kidneys. This increases the chances of these minerals crystallizing and clumping together, and eventually forming stones.

Increased water consumption is probably the single most important thing that can be done to prevent formation of kidney stones.

• Obesity is a risk factor for many serious health conditions including kidney stones. It is directly related to poor dietary habits. Obesity puts a lot of strain on the body's organs and biochemical systems.

Taking measures to deal with obesity (such as balanced diet, exercise, and adequate rest and recreation), will not only reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, but will also reduce the risk of many other serious health conditions.

• Hereditary genetic disorder can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. This condition could result in the body's inability to properly absorb substances such as calcium. Consequently a build-up of calcium can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Of all the kidney stone causes, this is probably one of the few which is not preventable, but with proper dietary and lifestyle choices it can be managed.

This is why a person whose relatives have been afflicted with kidney stones is at greater risk of developing kidney stones as well. To some extent, this also helps to explain why people who have been previously affected by kidney stones are likely to have a recurrence.

Inherited genetic disorder may not be preventable, but with good dietary habits and medication, the risk of developing kidney stones can be reduced.

• A deficiency of magnesium and potassium can also be one of the causes of kidney stones. This deficiency may be as a result of poor diet or genetic disorder which results in the body's inability to absorb these substances.

• Metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism and Cushing's syndrome can also be causes of kidney stones.

Hyperparathyroidism is a metabolic disorder which results in hyper-activity of the Parathyroid glands. Parathyroid glands are small glands located within or behind the thyroid gland.

Cushing's syndrome is another metabolic disorder that results from excessive amounts of corticosteroids in the body. Corticosteroids are hormones manufactured by the adrenal cortex.

Infections which disturb the flow of fluids in the body, can also be a cause of kidney stones.

Most causes of kidney stones can be prevented. This can be achieved by simple lifestyle and dietary changes, which result in overall improvement to health. By simply reducing the consumption of animal proteins and using more vegetable proteins, drinking adequate amounts of water, and getting rid of excess weight can go a long way in avoiding many kidney stone causes.

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Web comprehensive-kidney-facts.com

From Causes of Kidney Stones to HOME PAGE