Category: Cases/Blog

“What are the kidney stone disease causes?”

Kidney stone disease is one of the most common conditions that we see patients for here at Melbourne Urology Centre. Once they have been diagnosed, patients will often ask us “What are kidney stone disease causes? How did I develop them?”. The answer is not always straightforward. There are a number of factors that can influence a person’s risk of developing kidney stones.

There are different types of kidney stones – namely four major types – and each type is associated with different kidney stone causes. The different types of kidney stones are calcium oxalate/calcium phosphate stones, uric acid stones, struvite stones (also sometimes referred to as magnesium ammonium phosphate stones) and cystine stones.

Kidney stone disease causes: dehydration

Regardless of stone type, dehydration is considered one of the more common kidney stone disease causes. When your urine has a high concentration of minerals and other substances (such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid), these substances can clump together and crystalise. Basically, when there is not enough fluid in the urine to keep these crystals from sticking together, kidney stones can form. Therefore, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water (generally 2L each day as a minimum) can help to prevent kidney stones from forming.

Kidney stone disease causes: dietary factors

Foods high in oxalates can be one of the kidney stone disease causes of calcium oxalate stones. Foods that are typically high in oxalates include coffee, chocolate, tea, spinach, potatoes and nuts, amongst others. Minimising the amount of these foods that you consume can help to reduce the incidence of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

What may come as a surprise to some people is that patients who have calcium oxalate stones should not cut back on dietary calcium. This is because calcium has the ability to bind to oxalate in the intestine, preventing it from being absorbed through the gut and eventually reaching the urinary tract. This means that there is less oxalate in the urine to potentially form stones.

Uric acid stones are sometimes also influenced by dietary habits. In some people with uric acid stones produce high levels of uric acid. For these patients, consuming less animal protein can be beneficial in in reducing the risk of recurrence.

Kidney stone disease causes: bacterial infection

Struvite stones are sometimes also called ‘infection stones’. This is because the kidney stone disease causes behind these type of stones is bacterial infection. The bacterial infection raises the pH of the urine to be alkaline. Under these neutral conditions, bacteria thrive, producing ammonia as they break down urea in your urine.

Women are more prone to developing struvite stones than men, since women are at greater risk of urinary tract infections than men are.

Kidney stone disease causes: genetic conditions

One of the least common kidney stone disease causes is genetic conditions. One example of a genetic condition being the cause of kidney stones is cystinuria. This condition results in high levels of the amino acid, cystine, in the urine. Cystine in high concentration, along with dehydration can result in the formation of kidney stones.

Other examples of genetic conditions associated as kidney stone disease causes include hyperparathyroidism (where the body produces too much of the parathyroid hormone) and renal tubular acidosis (which is a kidney condition that leads to a build up of acid in the body). These two conditions can be associated with calcium phosphate stone formation.

Your specialist urologist will discuss your potential kidney stone disease causes and preventative strategies with you.

Every patient is different. That’s why here at Melbourne Urology Centre, our doctors take pride in their professional manner with a personal approach. Once the relevant investigations and an accurate diagnosis have been made, your specialist will discuss with you in detail the kidney stone disease causes for your individual circumstances. Your doctor will be able to tailor an appropriate treatment plan, including the correct preventative strategies for your condition, in order to minimize your risk of developing kidney stones again.

Please note that the blog article above regarding kidney stone disease cause is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as general medical advice. If you are suffering with urinary symptoms or you suspect that you might have kidney stones, please contact us right away to make an appointment with one of our specialist urologists.

Written by Dr. Shekib Shahbaz and Dr. Tony de Sousa

Kidney stones are one of the most common conditions that we manage at Melbourne Urology Centre. Understanding the most common kidney stone disease symptoms may assist with earlier recognition of whether there is an underlying urological problem that needs prompt medical attention.

What are kidney stones and how do kidney stone disease symptoms feel?

Kidney stones are sometimes also referred to as renal calculi or nephroliths. They tend to occur when the urine becomes concentrated, causing the mineral salts that are normally found in the urine clump together to form hard deposits that often look like stones. Kidney stone disease can affect any part of the urinary tract, from the kidneys, down to the bladder.

Kidney stones don’t usually cause any symptoms initially; kidney stone disease symptoms tend occur when a kidney stone moves down the urinary tract or becomes lodged in some part of it, sometimes causing a blockage. Very small stones tend to flush through naturally with the urine, however larger stones may become stuck, causing kidney stone disease symptoms. If a kidney stone passes into the ureter (one of the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder), it can block the flow of urine, causing the kidney to swell, and the ureter to spasm. This can be one of the more common and very painful causes of kidney stone disease symptoms.  There is also always a risk of urinary tract infection and if a blocked kidney has infection this becomes a urological emergency.

Common painful kidney stone disease symptoms

If a kidney stone becomes stuck in the ureter, it can cause a blockage, leading to kidney stone disease symptoms. These can include:

• Very severe and sharp pain in the flank and lower back, usually just below the ribs on the affected side
• Pain that feels like it’s radiating down into the lower abdomen and into the groin
• Pain that feels as though it’s coming in waves and often fluctuates in intensity
• Intense pain or burning sensations when trying to urinate.
• The location and type of kidney stone pain often varies depending where the blockage is along the renal tract.

Other kidney stone disease symptoms

Other, less painful kidney stone disease symptoms may include:

• Urine that is pinkish, brown, or red
• Urine that is cloudy or smells foul due to possible urinary tract infection
• The need to urinate more often, urinating in small amounts, or feeling the persistent need to urinate
• Feeling nauseous or vomiting
• There may also be a fever and chills if the kidney stones are related to an infection. This is a urological emergency.

I have no kidney stone disease symptoms, but I have been diagnosed with kidney stones. How is this possible?

Kidney stones can be present without causing any kidney stone disease symptoms. Kidney stones can vary considerably in size; some can be as small as a grain of sand or a tiny pebble, but commonly they are much larger.

Whilst most people are diagnosed with kidney stones following a sudden experience of sharp and very severe pain, in some people, kidney stones are ‘accidentally’ discovered when a doctor is looking for other conditions on an x-ray, ultra-sound, cat scan or other type of medical scan. These types of ‘painless’ kidney stones can still cause problems such as recurring urinary tract infections or blood in the urine, despite not causing any of the typical severe kidney stone disease symptoms.

These kidney stones could be present without any symptoms as they may not be causing any blockage.  Sometimes however if a kidney has been blocked completely with a stone it will stop producing urine and hence no pressure to cause pain.  This however may lead to progressive kidney damage and possible eventual complete loss of function in that kidney.

If you are experiencing kidney stone disease symptoms, seek medical attention promptly

If at any point you experience kidney stone disease symptoms, or any urinary symptoms that concern you, make an appointment to see your doctor or urologist promptly.

You should see immediate medical attention if you experience pain that is:

• So severe that you cannot get comfortable or sit still
• Accompanied by nausea or vomiting
• Accompanied by fever and chills

Or if you have difficulty passing urine, or there is blood in your urine.

Please be mindful that the blog article above regarding kidney stone disease symptoms is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as general medical advice. If you are experiencing any urinary symptoms or you are concerned that you may have kidney stones, please contact us promptly to make an appointment with one of our specialist urologists for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan. If you are in severe pain or having difficulty urinating, contact your local emergency department.

Written by Dr. Shekib Shahbaz and Dr. Tony de Sousa

When we hear about renal calculi, often they are referred to as simply being ‘kidney stones’; however did you know that there are different types of kidney stones? The type of kidney stones as well as their size, will often determine the type of treatment that you receive. A sample of the stone may be retrieved for analysis to determine the preventative measures that you should take in order to reduce your risk of developing them again in the future.

What are kidney stones?

Also known as renal calculi, kidney stones as they are more commonly referred to, form when salts in the urine form solid crystals and combine to make larger ‘stones’. They are quite common, affecting around 1 in 10 men and 1 in 35 women during their lifetime.

Once a person has had a kidney stone, the chance of developing another stone is around five to ten percent each year. Some people have recurring stones throughout their lives.

Kidney stones are usually asymptomatic to begin with, but as they grow larger with time, they may cause painful symptoms. They can block the kidney, interrupting the flow of urine, cause infection, kidney damage and in some cases even kidney failure.

Types of kidney stones

The types of kidney stones that exist are named so based upon the types of crystals that combine in order to form them. These include:

• Calcium oxalate
• Calcium phosphate
• Uric acid
• Struvite
• Cystine

You may be more likely to develop a particular type of stone based on your lifestyle, diet, or family history.

Types of kidney stones: Calcium oxalate

Calcium oxalate are the most common types of kidney stones. Calcium oxalate stones form when the urine contains a low level of citrate and a high level of calcium (and either high oxalate or high uric acid). These types of kidney stones are therefore also often linked to diets that include a large proportion of high-oxalate foods. Oxalates are compounds that occur naturally in many plant and animal products. Such foods include black tea, chocolate, some nuts, spinach, beets, and more.

For patients that continually develop calcium oxalate stones, the urologist may recommend some dietary modifications alongside medical treatment.

Types of kidney stones: Calcium phosphate

Calcium phosphate stones form when calcium combines with phosphoric acid in the urine. These types of kidney stones occur when the urine is abnormally alkaline (pH above 6.3-6.5), usually due to some abnormality in the way that the urinary system functions. There are some systemic conditions that can cause this. Calcium phosphate stones can occur simultaneously with calcium oxalate stones, too.

Types of kidney stones: Uric acid

Uric acid stones tend to be one of the types of kidney stones that are more common in men, and in people who consume a diet high in animal protein. They also tend to occur in people who don’t drink enough water, which leads to the urine becoming highly concentrated and acidic. Uric acid stones can form very quickly. They are often passed in the urine (appearing as an orangey-red gravel), but if they are retained, they can block the kidney, causing severe pain.

Types of kidney stones: Struvite

Struvite kidney stones often form as a result of certain types of bacterial infections in the urinary tract. These stones are composed of the magnesium, ammonium and phosphate. When a bacterial infection inters the urinary tract and goes unnoticed or is left untreated, very large and painful struvite stones can develop. Urinary tract infections are more common in women, due to their shorter urethra, which makes entry by bacteria more easy.

Struvite stones require prompt medical attention. If they are left untreated, they can grow very quickly, sometimes occupying the entire kidney and causing injury to it. Sepsis (entry of the infection into the patient’s bloodstream) can also occur, and this is considered a medical emergency.

Types of kidney stones: Cystine

Cystine stones develop as the result of an inherited kidney abnormality known as cystinuria. In this condition, excessive amounts of the amino acid, cystine, collect in the urine and collect to form crystals or stones. These types of kidney stones can grow large and quickly. They can be formed in the kidneys, bladder, and ureters. Patients with cystinuria generally form kidney stones throughout their lives.

Treating different types of kidney stones

Our urological specialists at Melbourne Urology Centre are highly experienced and skilled in the treatment and long-term management of all different types of kidney stones. The treatment of kidneys stones is tailored to the individual patient, depending on the type, size and number of kidney stones. Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will advise you on which treatment approach is most appropriate and effective for your individual circumstances. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact our clinic.

 
Written by Dr. Shekib Shahbaz and Dr. Tony de Sousa

At Melbourne Urology Centre, our doctors are often asked about how to prevent kidney stones. Kidney stones are a very common condition; up to one in ten people will develop kidney stones in their lifetime. They are a more common occurrence in men than in women.

Kidney stones are hardened mineral deposits that can form inside the kidney. Kidney stones may be present for some time before they are detected. Over time they can begin to cause uncomfortable symptoms such as pain in the lower back or flank, blood in the urine, or even sweating and nausea. Some stones don’t cause obvious symptoms and are detected incidentally on a CT or X-ray.

Knowing how to prevent kidney stones naturally by taking some simple steps can help you to reduce your risk of developing this common, painful condition.

HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES: DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Most often, when we are asked how to prevent kidney stones, our first answer is “drink more water!”. Staying well-hydrated throughout the day ensures that your urine output stays high. This is important because if you do not drink enough water, your urine output will be low. This will result in high urinary concentrations of the salts that are responsible for causing kidney stones.

The best indication of your hydration status is the colour of your urine. You should aim to drink enough water to ensure that your urine is a very pale yellow colour. Your body may require 2 litres or more, depending on your age, body size, the level of physical activity that you engage in, and the type of climate that you live in.

HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES: REDUCE YOUR DIETARY SALT INTAKE

Understanding how to prevent kidney stones by reducing your dietary salt intake is important. Most of us consume diets that are higher in salt than our body requires, even without adding extra. High-salt diets have been shown to increase the risk of calcium kidney stones. It is thought that this occurs because too much sodium in the urine prevents the reabsorption of calcium from the urine back into the blood. The high urine calcium level may then lead to the formation of kidney stones.

If you consume less salt, your urine calcium level will be lower. A lower urine calcium level means a lowered risk of developing calcium kidney stones. Reading food product labels carefully (paying particular attention to the common high-salt culprits: processed foods, canned food and condiments) and avoiding foods with added salt can help you to prevent kidney stones from developing.

HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES: TRY ADDING LEMON JUICE TO YOUR WATER

Lemon juice contains citrate which may help prevent kidney stone formation. When considering how to prevent kidney stones, adding the juice of two lemons into your daily water intake may help. At the very least, it won’t hurt and it will make your water more palatable! Don’t forget to brush your teeth properly to prevent dental problems.

HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES: REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF ANIMAL PROTEINS

Animal proteins such as red meats, poultry, eggs and seafood tend to boost the levels of uric acid, which may increase the chance of kidney stones forming. High protein diets have also been shown to reduce the level of urinary citrate. Reduce your risk by moderating your intake of animal proteins and include some plant-based protein sources.

HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES: MODIFY YOUR DIET

Depending on the composition of your kidney stones, your doctor may recommend some more specific dietary modifications when considering how to prevent further kidney stones. You should discuss any specific dietary modifications with your urologist or a dietician. Whilst most kidney stones are calcium-based, it is important not to remove calcium completely from your diet. This may lead to osteoporosis or other health problems. Most people require 2-3 serves of dairy products (or alternatives such as soy) per day for adequate calcium intake.

IF YOU’VE WONDERED ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT KIDNEY STONES, THE STEPS OUTLINED ABOVE MAY HELP TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

Our specialists often get asked a lot of questions about how to prevent kidney stones. By taking the simple steps discussed above, perhaps making some small modifications to your lifestyle, you may be able to effectively reduce your risk of developing this painful condition.

Please note that the information regarding how to prevent kidney stones, presented in the article above, is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as general medical advice. If you are experiencing any urinary symptoms or suspect that you may have kidney stones, please see your doctor and ask for a referral to Melbourne Urology Centre for an appointment with one of our specialist urologists for a correct diagnosis and individual treatment plan.

Written by Dr. Shekib Shahbaz and Dr. Tony de Sousa