The majority of kidney stones are stones consisting of calcium compounds, especially oxalic calcium. What are the causes of kidney stones in general?
There are many causes of kidney stones, depending on their different types. There are four main types of stones. In the following article, we will learn about the most prominent causes of kidney stones according to their types:
Causes and types of kidney stones
The causes of kidney stones are many and varied, and they differ depending on and based on their different types, which are represented in each of the following:
1. Calcium stones
About 80% of all cases of kidney stones are stones composed of calcium compounds, especially oxalic calcium (the salt of oxalic acid), calcium phosphate, as well as the possible presence of other minerals.
One of the pathological conditions that may cause high levels of calcium in the body is hyperparathyroidism, which may increase the risk of developing kidney stones made of calcium.
It is worth knowing that there are certain medications that can prevent the formation of calcium-complex kidney stones.
2. Stones made of uric acid
One of the other types that may be one of the causes of kidney stones and their formation is stones that consist of uric acid, and it is possible that a person will develop stones composed of uric acid in the following cases:
Excreting very small amounts of urine.
A diet based primarily on animal proteins, such as: red meat.
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Gout disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Stones composed of triphosphates
Also known as inflammatory stones, if they are accompanied by inflammation of the urinary tract, and this type of kidney stone may sometimes be called a coral stone (Staghorn calculi) if it is of a very large size.
Kidney stones composed of triphosphates can be very harmful because they are usually very large stones that also cause inflammation, and these stones may require medical treatment that includes giving antibiotics and removing the stones.
Women are affected more than men by this type of kidney stone Because they are more susceptible to urinary tract infections.
4. Cystine stones
Less than 1% of the causes of kidney stones are stones stemming from a chemical called cystine, and cystine stones are more likely to appear in family members who suffer from the problem of excess production of cystine in the urine and this condition is known as cystinuria.
There are certain medications that can prevent or dissolve cystine-based kidney stones, but this may be complicated and not effective at all. If the stones blocking the urinary tract are too large, then surgery is needed to remove the stones from the kidney.
Risk factors for kidney stones
After we have mentioned the most prominent causes of kidney stones, depending on the type of stones formed in the body, we must now address the most important factors that may result in suffering from this type of health condition:
The personal or family medical history of the affected individual.
Suffering from dehydration.
Following some different types of diets.
Obesity.
Infection with some digestive diseases and surgery.
Use of certain nutritional supplements and medications.
