Kidney stones are painful urinary disorders that start as salt/chemical crystals which precipitate out from urine. Under normal circumstances, the urine contains substances that prevent crystallization but for patients with this condition, these inhibitory substances are ineffective. Tiny crystals will pass out along with the urinary flow without causing problems. At least 1% of people will pass a kidney stone during their lifetime, producing some of the most severe pain possible.
Kidney stones may contain various forms of salts – the most common is calcium in combination with either phosphate or oxalate. These salts are an essential part of our daily dietary intake and requirement. Other types of stones are the struvite stone (caused by infection), uric acid stone and cystine stone.
The reasons why some people develop kidney stones are not fully understood. There is certainly a strong familial predisposition to this condition, and restricted water consumption is another important factor. High levels of urinary calcium, due to an excess of non-absorbable calcium being consumed, can cause crystallization and subsequent stone formation. Metabolic conditions e.g. hyperparathyroidism, cystinuria (inherited disease), and hyperoxaluria (inherited disease) are also common causes of stone formation.
Treatment
- With plenty of water, most stones can pass through if small.
- Pain-killers (as prescribed by the doctor)
- Some medications may help ‘breakdown’ larger stone
- Shockwave therapy (F-SWL) to break the stone
- Surgical intervention – cystoscope or open surgery
Prevention
Prevention is very important especially in those with a high likelihood of developing this condition. Recurrence rate for stone formation is very high.
- Drinking a lot of water is best (enough to produce about 2 liters of urine a day).
- Those with a tendency to form calcium stones may want to avoid foods rich in calcium (dairy products) and abstain from taking non-prescribed calcium pill supplements.
- Those prone to get calcium oxalate stones may be advised to avoid the consumption of foods high in oxalates (cola, coffee, chocolate, nuts, spinach, strawberries, wheat bran, tea)
- Medical therapy is available for those with known conditions that predispose to stone formation.