Kidney Stone Causes and Treatments

When there are high levels of minerals, calcium, uric acid, and other substances in the urine, crystals can form. These crystals attach together, creating kidney stones. 

Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand but can get as large as a golfball if they don't pass through your urine and out of your body. 

The National Kidney Foundation reports that more than half a million people go to the emergency room yearly for kidney stone-related problems. So it's safe to say they are pretty common. We put together this guide to help you know what causes stones to form and what treatment options are available. 

 Types of kidney stones

• Calcium oxalate(most common)- Stones that form when calcium combines with oxalate in the urine.

• Uric acid - Mostlyoccurs in people who don't drink enough water or have a diet high in animal protein. These stones are also common in those with gout, a family history of this kind of kidney stone, or who've had chemotherapy. 

• Struvite- These stones usually form due to certain urinary tract infections. They can also become large very quickly.

• Cystine- The hereditary genetic disorder cystinuria causes excessive amounts of the amino acid cystine to collect in the urine, causing stones to form.

Signs and symptoms of kidney stones

Some stones pass through on their own without showing any symptoms. However, if a kidney stone becomes too large or gets stuck in your urinary tract, you may experience:

• severe pain, usually in the lower back or side of the abdomen 

• blood in the urine

• nausea

• vomiting

• fever and chills

• smelly or cloudy looking urine 

• feeling the need to urinate frequently

• pain or burning sensation when urinating 

What causes kidney stones?

Several causes and risk factors can lead to kidney stones. 

Diet

What you eat can have an impact on stone development. If your diet is high in meat, poultry, sugars, and sodium, you are at risk because these foods contain substances, like oxalate, that make up kidney stones. 

Water and fluid intake

Urine is responsible for eliminating many chemicals and waste that makeup kidney stones. When we don't drink enough fluids, especially water, our bodies become dehydrated, causing concentrated urine or low urine output. 

Family history

Kidney stones are heredity, so if someone in your family has had kidney stones, you have a greater chance of developing them. 

If you've had kidney stones in the past, you're also at an increased risk of developing another.

Medical conditions

Certain medical ailments and diseases can cause kidney stones. These medical conditions include:

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Gout

• High Blood Pressure

• Osteoporosis 

• Cystic Fibrosis 

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Kidney Cysts

• Polycystic Kidney Disease 

• Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis (dRTA)

• Parathyroid Disease 

• Bariatric/Gastric Bypass Surgery 

Medications

Some medicines, as well as vitamin C and calcium supplements increase your risk of developing kidney stones. 

These medications include:

• Diuretics (water pills)

• Calcium-based antacids 

• HIV medicines (Crixivan)

• Seizure medications (Topamax, Dilantin) 

• Certain antibiotics (Cipro, Ceftriaxone) 

How to treat kidney stones

If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. They will determine the best kidney stone treatment based on the size and cause of the stone. 

Your doctor will most likely order blood tests, urine tests, and imaging tests like ultrasound or x-ray.

Small stones

Small stones don't usually require any intense treatment. Your physician may recommend the following to help pass the small stones:

• Drinking plenty of fluids- Drinking at least eight glasses a day to increase urine flow and prevent new stones from forming 

• Pain relievers- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, like ibuprofen, to help with discomfort from stones passing

• Prescription medications- An alpha-blocker, like tamsulosin(Flomax) or nifedipine (Procardia), relaxes your ureter muscles to help the kidney stone pass quicker with less pain. 

Larger stones

If your kidney stones are too big to pass on their own, get stuck in your urinary tract, or are causing bleeding, kidney issues, or an infection, you most likely will need more invasive treatment. 

These treatment options include:

• Using extracorporeal shock waves to break up stones (lithotripsy)

• Surgery to remove stones (percutaneous nephrolithotomy)

• Using a scope to remove stones (ureteroscopy)

Are kidney stones preventable?

There are ways to reduce the risk or prevent kidney stones from developing. Knowing what type of kidney stone you have or are prone to is important in preventing them. 

Kidney stone prevention includes:

• Drinking enough fluids every day

• Making adjustments to your diet, such as limiting your salt (sodium) and animal protein intake 

• Medications, such as potassium citrate, allopurinol (Zyloprim)

• Hyperparathyroidism surgery- removal of the parathyroid gland

Always consult your doctor before starting or stopping any medication, including OTC, vitamins, and supplements. You should also talk to your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes. 

At CareCard, our mission is to help make your prescription payments more affordable, saving members up to 85% on prescription drugs and medications. Learn how CareCard can help make your medication payments more manageable.