Calcium oxalate generally makes up kidney stones and forms from dissolved minerals accumulating within the kidneys. Some stones are small and pass easily through the urinary tract, but others are quite large and cause severe pain upon passing. Some kidney stones can get as big as a golf ball. It’s important to take care of your body, learn about the causes of kidney stones and how you can decrease your risk of getting one.

Lack of Water

Lack of water is strongly associated with the onset of kidney stones. Patients with stones are often found to drink less than the minimum eight glasses of water that is usually recommended by health experts. Lack of water keeps uric acid from diluting, resulting in more acidic pH levels in the kidneys. It’s this acidic environment helps form kidney stones. Certain medical conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, urinary tract infections and others, can also cause kidney stones. Water fluoridation may also be responsible for helping the formation of kidney stones.

Combination of Calcium and Oxalate

The most common type of kidney stone is a calcium oxalate kidney stone. They occur when calcium and oxalate combine in your urine. If you’re not getting enough calcium or too much of it, along with a lack of fluids, you may be susceptible to this type of kidney stone.

Some symptoms of kidney stones include:

  • Blood in your urine.
  • Severe pain around your kidneys.
  • A smaller amount of urine is typically excreted.
  • Burning during urination.
  • Vomiting or nausea.
  • Fever or chills if an infection is present.

Stones tend to cause no symptoms while in the kidneys. Once they move into the urinary tract they begin to cause symptoms.

Who Is at Risk?

Kidney stones develop twice as often in males as they do in females. Family histories of stones also increase the chance of developing them, and any previous occurrence of stones increases your chances of developing them again. Obesity, high-protein diets, high blood pressure, chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease also increase the risk. Obesity alone carries twice the risk of developing stones.

Contact Urology Experts

If you suffer from kidney stones or conditions that may lead to kidney stones, let Dr. Miranda-Sousa and his team at Urology Experts be your first stop. The professionals at Urology Experts have a commitment to provide quality care for patients and find solutions to your health issues. Give Urology Experts a call today.