Kidney Stone Causes

What Are the Most Common Kidney Stone Causes and Risk Factors? 

The major kidney stone causes and risk factors include:

Family History If you grew up hearing about other members of your extended family having kidney stones, there's a good chance you're at higher risk than most people. Some families are predisposed to have high levels of calcium in the urine, which is one of the most frequent kidney stone causes.

There are also certain kidney conditions that tend to pass from one generation to the next, and these may contribute to kidney stone formation:

• renal tubular acidosis
• a problem metabolizing a variety of chemicals including cystine, oxalate, and uric acid.

Geography is one of the most common kidney stone causes. Have you ever heard of a "stone belt?" This refers to areas of the country where there's a higher incidence of kidney stones than elsewhere. In the southern United States, for instance, higher temperatures require more fluid intake. People who don't hydrate themselves enough in these areas don't give their kidneys as much opportunity to flush minerals out of their systems. The minerals accumulate and form stones.

Diet This is one of the more important kidney stone causes among people who experience kidney stone formation. It probably has little influence on those who don't. Generally speaking, foods that are high in calcium seem to increase an individual's likelihood of getting kidney stones.

Medications Diuretics cause the body to eliminate fluids. Unfortunately, these fluids also help "wash away" the substances that accumulate into kidney stones.

Also, antacids may cause kidney stone formation. Antacids contain calcium, and a high amounts of calcium are typical kidney stone causes.

Vitamins A and D are also associated with higher levels of calcium. Someone taking vitamin A and D supplements may be at higher risk.

Other commonly prescribed medications considered to be kidney stone causes include dilantin and antibiotics like ceftriaxone (also known as Rocephin) and ciprofloxacin (known as Cipro).

Other Health Factors Finally, there are a number of illnesses and conditions which may help cause kidney stones. Among the most prominent: cystic fibrosis, renal tubular acidosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. 

Learn more about how to cope with kidney stones by clicking here or on the book cover below.