Causes / Risk Factors
Kidney stones are formed for the following reasons-
- Low urine volume due to reduced fluid intake and increased concentration of stone-forming minerals in the urine due to dehyderation.
- Block or obstruction that prevents the free flow of urine
- Infection, leading to infective stones ( struvite stones)
Certain medical conditions, such as gout, hypercalciuria, hyperparathyroidism, cystinuria, inflammatory bowel disorder (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis), Certain Kidney diseases and hyperoxaluria also trigger stone formation.
Conditions like diabetes and hypertension too puts an individual at a higher risk for stone formation.
Surgical procedures, such as intestinal bypass, bariatric bypass surgery for obesity and a few medications, such as antacids containing calcium, diuretics and certain drugs used for treating HIV predisposes an individual to kidney stones.