Different diseases and factors may lead to the formation of stones. This is the reason why doctors may not always know the exact cause or what causes a stone to form. In people who are at risk of forming stones, certain foods might promote stone formation. But in people who are not at risk or susceptible, scientists believe that eating any specific food do not cause stones to form.
Though factors such as family history, age, gender, race, and lifestyle may play a role in the formation of kidney stones, other diseases may also cause it to form. Diseases such as urinary tract infection, certain kidney and metabolic disorders are linked to stone formation.
Diseases or disorders that can and may cause the formation of kidney stones:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Struvite or infection stones can be caused by a urinary tract infection especially if it has lasted for a long time. Kidney stones, on the other hand, can also lead to UTI if it blocks the flow of urine or it damages the lining of the urinary tract. Hyperparathyroidism
A condition in which the parathyroid glands-small pea-sized structures at the back of the thyroid gland in the throat-become overactive. It causes excessive release of calcium by the bone into the blood. Calcium goes to the kidneys and can cause kidney stones when in excess. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA)
A rare inherited disease in which, more than 70 percent of people with this condition develop kidney stones. It occurs when the kidneys fail to excrete acids into the urine, which causes a person's blood to remain too acidic. Without proper treatment, chronic acidity of the blood leads to growth retardation, kidney stones, bone disease, and progressive renal failure. Cystinuria
Cystinuria is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder in which which urine contains high levels of the amino acid cystine. If cystine does not dissolve in the urine, it can build up to form kidney stones. Hyperoxaluria
Another inherited but rare metabolic disease that causes the body to produce too much a salt called oxalate. When the urine contains more oxalate than can be dissolved, the crystals settle out and form stones. Hypercalciuria
An inherited disease wherein calcium is absorbed from food in excess and is lost into the urine. Crystals of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate can form in the kidneys or other parts of the urinary tract because of the high levels of calcium in the urine. Hyperuricosuria.
It is a condition in which excess uric acid is released in the urine and can cause uric acid stone formation.Other conditions or medications that may increase the risk of forming stones include:
- Excessive intake of vitamin D
- Blockage of the urinary tract
- Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Cystic Kidney Diseases
- Certain diuretics, commonly called water pills, and calcium-based antacids. They may increase the risk of forming kidney stones by increasing the amount of calcium in the urine.
- Use of certain medications used to treat HIV infection
Background Sources: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health.
NIH Publication No. 08-2495, October 2007
NIH Publication No. 08-61865, October 2007
NIH Publication No. 07-4154, April 2007
NIH Publication No. 05–4696, August 2005
| Kidney and Kidney Stones (KKS) has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by Kidney and Kidney Stones. |
This article by:
David Mangusan Jr., BSPT, PTRP
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