Different Types of Kidney StonesThere are four basic types of kidney stones, which are classified according to their chemical composition. The chemical composition of kidney stones is influenced, to a large extent by diet, lifestyle habits, and hereditary factors. Once a patient has passed a kidney stone, it is important for the stone to be analyzed to determine its chemical composition. This helps the physician to understand the deficiencies or conditions within the patient's body which may have caused the stone to develop. With this information, an appropriate course of treatment, including diet, can be prescribed.
Different Types of Kidney Stones Kidney stones can be made up of a variety of substances, but there are four basic types... Calcium stones, Stuvite stones, Uric Acid stones, and Cystine stones.
CALCIUM STONES The most common types of kidney stones are calcium stones. Approximately 80% of all kidney stones are classified as calcium stones. They are composed mainly of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. These stones are often associated with elevated calcium levels in the blood and urine. Over a period of time, excessive levels of calcium can lead to the formation of calcium stones. High levels of calcium in the blood can be as a result of other health conditions. These include parathyroidism (malfunction of the parathyroid glands, which controls the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus), and multiple myeloma (bone cancer). A diet heavy in refined carbohydrates (especially sugar), meat (especially red meat), and poultry, are among the main contributing factor of calcium stones. Another contributing factor is dehydration. This causes the urine to be concentrated, thus increasing the likelihood of stone formation.
STRUVITE STONES Struvite stones (also referred to as staghorn kidney stones) accounts for approximately 10% of all kidney stones. These types of kidney stones are made up of magnesium and the waste products of ammonia. These types of stones are usually associated with patients who have had repeated cases of bacterial urinary tract infections. They also occur more frequently in women than men. The bacteria which causes urinary tract infection produces a substance which makes the urine less acidic... which indicates that not enough acid is being excreted in the urine. When the urine becomes less acidic, struvite is then able to settle and form stones.
URIC ACID STONES These types of kidney stones only account for about 5% of all kidney stones. Uric acid stones result from high concentration of uric acid in the urine, and are often associated with gout. (Gout is a disorder caused by an excess of uric acid in the bloodstream, which is deposited in joints... causing inflammation and destruction of joints.) Uric acid stones are formed when bits of uric acid begins to bond together. Over time, a solid mass develops, resulting in the formation of kidney stone.
CYSTINE STONES Only about 2% of all kidney stones are cystine stones. These types of kidney stones are usually caused by a condition known as cystinuria. This condition is usually present at birth and affects the patient's ability to process amino acids properly. This causes the formation of stones composed of cystine (a type of amino acid) to develop in the kidney or bladder. Most types of kidney stones can be prevented by proactively adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle habits. Persons with a personal or family history of kidney stones should be aware of the types of kidney stones to which they are prone. This helps with the formulation of appropriate measures (such as diet, exercise, water consumption, etc.) which can assist in preventing recurrence. From Types of kidney stones to HOME PAGE
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