Did you know that if you’ve previously had kidney stones, your chances of developing another stone increase dramatically? That is correct. People who have had a kidney stone have a 50% greater chance of recurrent kidney stones.
Kidney stones are terribly painful and, in some cases, distressing, sending over 500,000 Americans to the emergency department each year. The only thing worse than having a kidney stone is discovering you have another one and having to experience the pain all over again.
If you’ve previously had kidney stones, you’re more likely to get them again. Consultation with a nephrologist (kidney doctor) is extremely beneficial, even if the symptoms are subtle.
What are the primary causes of recurring kidney stones?
Kidney stones are usually caused by a combination of factors, including dehydration, certain diets (for example, a high-sodium diet), obesity, and family or personal history. There can be plenty of causes of recurrent kidney stones.
- If you have recurring kidney stones, consult with a specialist. A recurrence can be caused by a variety of factors, but it’s essential to rule out certain situations to better understand what’s causing your stones.
- Most participants attributed kidney stone formation to lifestyle factors. Consuming too much animal protein, particularly red and organic meat, raises uric acid levels while reducing the chemical required to prevent minerals from crystallizing.
- Being overweight or obese has also been linked to high uric acid crystals in the urine and an improved risk of recurring kidney stones, as one has to consume a good amount of sodium and not drink enough water.
- If you don’t address your personal risk factors, such as weight and diet, kidney stones are more likely to reoccur. If no changes take place, not drinking enough water, and eating diets low in calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium can all lead to kidney stones.
- Some migraine and depression medications, calcium-based antacids, excessive laxative use, and sometimes vitamin C can boost the risk of kidney stones.
- Changing your medications, drinking more water, and shifting your diet (more calcium-rich foods, less salt, oxalates, and animal proteins) are all simple ways to minimize your chances of developing kidney stones in the future.
- Simple lifestyle interventions can make a huge difference in many cases. However, it is important to rule out more serious complications as the source of the problem.
Apart from these, certain hereditary or genetic conditions may cause recurring stones in some people. These are some examples:
- Cystinuria is a condition that causes an increase in cystine levels in the urine, an amino acid that can crystallize and form stones.
- Primary hyperoxaluria is a group of biological disorders in which your liver produces an excessive amount of oxalate, which can crystallize and form stones.
- Cystic fibrosis is an ailment associated with an increase in oxalate and a reduction in the chemical required to break down oxalate.
- Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, gout, diabetes, gastric bypass, and obesity are all GI conditions that cause chronic diarrhea.
Types of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are classified into four types:
Calcium: the most common type, which is frequently in the form of calcium oxalate.
Struvite: These can develop large with few symptoms and are frequently caused by a urinary tract infection.
Uric acid: It can occur in people who lose excessively fluid too quickly, as a result of conditions such as chronic diarrhea, high protein diets, and malabsorption.
Cystine: People with cystinuria (a condition in which you excrete too much amino acid from your kidneys) are more likely to experience this type of stone.
The type of kidney stones you develop can reveal information about what’s causing them. The recurrence of kidney stones also depends on their type to some extent.
The Bottom-line
Kidney stones are a hard nut to crack sort of thing and having it again is nevertheless a nightmare. Ensure you follow the instructions of your doctor. Take medications as prescribed and follow a proper diet.
Prioritize your health over anything!
