Kidney stones send more than half a million Americans to the ER each year because of sudden, excruciating pain. But most people don’t realize that these mineral deposits don’t form overnight. It can take months or years to form a kidney stone.
Kidney stones are the result of your body’s natural clean-up processes gone wrong. When your urine contains too many minerals, such as calcium, oxalate, or uric acid, they can crystallize and clump together. What starts as microscopic crystals can grow into stones ranging from a grain of sand to, in rare cases, the size of a golf ball.
The good news is that understanding what causes kidney stones is the first step in preventing them. There’s no single reason that kidney stones form. Most develop from a combination of lifestyle habits, diet choices, and underlying health conditions. Several of these factors are within your control.
What Causes Kidney Stones? 8 Factors
1. Not drinking enough water
Dehydration is one of the most common and preventable causes of kidney stones. When you don’t drink enough fluids, your urine becomes concentrated. This allows calcium, oxalate, and uric acid to crystallize and stick together. Living in hot climates or sweating heavily during exercise also contributes. Aim to drink enough fluids so that your urine stays light yellow or nearly clear throughout the day.
2. High salt intake
A diet high in salt increases the amount of calcium that your kidneys release into the urine. This excess calcium can combine with oxalate or phosphate to form stones. Major sodium sources include:
- Processed foods
- Canned soups
- Fast foods
- Convenience meals
3. Too much animal protein
Eating large amounts of red meat, poultry, eggs, or seafood can raise the level of uric acid in your body. This increases the risk of both uric acid and calcium oxalate stones. Diets high in animal protein also lower citrate levels. Citrate is a natural chemical that helps prevent stones from forming. While you don’t have to cut out protein, eating it in moderation can lower your kidney stone risk.
4. Diets high in oxalate
Oxalate is a natural substance found in many plant foods. It binds to calcium in the urine, forming calcium oxalate stones, the most common type of kidney stone. Prevention includes moderating foods that are high in oxalate, like:
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Beets
- Nuts
- Nut butters
- Rhubarb
- Chocolate
- Cocoa
- Tea, especially black tea
Pairing high-oxalate foods with calcium-containing foods, such as milk or yogurt, can help prevent them from binding in the urine.
5. Excess sugar
A diet high in sugar has been linked to a higher risk of kidney stones. Limiting sugary beverages, desserts, and processed foods helps reduce risk.
6. Metabolic changes
Research shows that metabolic changes and weight gain increase stone risk. Extra body fat can alter the body’s acid balance. This leads to more acidic urine, which encourages stone formation, particularly uric acid stones. Maintaining a healthy body helps regulate urine composition and reduces this risk.
7. Digestive disorders or interventions
Digestive problems that affect how your body absorbs calcium and water can increase the concentration of stone-forming substances in your urine. When calcium isn’t properly absorbed in the intestines, more oxalate is available to form stones in the kidneys. Digestive problems that increase this risk include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Chronic diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and mineral loss
- Gastric bypass surgery
8. Medications and supplements
Some medications and supplements change urine composition or concentration. Common examples include:
- Diuretics, which can raise calcium levels in urine
- Calcium-based antacids or supplements, which add extra calcium when not medically needed
- Excess vitamin C supplements increase oxalate levels
Get Expert Care for Kidney Stones
Even with careful habits, kidney stones can still form. Many remain silent in the kidney, but once a stone moves, symptoms can appear suddenly and severely. The most common signs include:
- Sharp or cramping pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen
- Pain or burning with urination
- Blood in the urine, which may appear pink or brown
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Nausea, vomiting, or cloudy, foul-smelling urine
- Fever or chills if infection develops
Atlantic Urology Specialists offers same-day kidney stone treatment in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, and Conway.
Talk about what causes kidney stones and how to prevent them with expert urologists – call 843.347.2450 to make an appointment today!