Why is Knowing Which Type of Kidney Stone I Have Important?

In order to prevent kidney stones, it is important to understand what is causing the stones to form. This will help your health care provider suggest diet changes to prevent future stones from developing.

Drink enough fluids to produce at least 2 liters of urine a day!

Notably, drinking enough fluids help prevent all kinds of stones by keeping urine diluted and flushing away materials that might form stones.
Health care providers recommend 2-3 liters of fluid a day.

Diet Recommendations based on type of kidney stone:

	Calcium Oxalate Stones	Calcium Phosphate Stones	Uric Acid Stones
Reduce Sodium	Yes	Yes
Reduce Animal Protein	Yes	Yes	Yes
Increase Calcium	Yes	Yes
Avoid foods high in oxalate	Yes

Sodium: 

Sodium causes kidneys to excrete more calcium into the urine. Concentrations of calcium in the urine mix with oxalate and phosphorus to create stones. The U.S recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of sodium is 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day, but Americans' intake averages about 3,400 mg.

Animal Protein (eggs, fish, meat):

Purines are found in animal protein, which are known to break down into uric acid in the urine. People who form uric acid stones should limit consumption to 6 oz. each day. The acid found in animal protein reduces citrate in the urine, which are known to prevent kidney stones.

Calcium:

Calcium from food found in the digestive tracts keeps oxalate from food from entering the blood, and the urinary tracts where it can form stones. People who form calcium oxalate stones should include 800 mg of calcium a day. However, calcium supplements may increase the risk of these stones if they are not taken with food.

Oxalate:

Because some oxalate in the urine is formed by the body, eating foods high in oxalate can increase the amount in our urine and it can combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones.



Sources:

National Kidney and Urologic DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/

Kidney stones. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/prevention/con-20024829

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from www.pinterest.com

Types of Kidney Stones

Knowing the type of kidney stone may help you determine the cause and may give you clues on how to lower your risk of getting more kidney stones. Although there are many forms of kidney stones, doctors have found four main types.

There are many shapes and sizes of kidney stones.

Types of kidney stones:

Calcium stones

·         The most common type of stones contain calcium.

·         Calcium is needed in a healthy diet for strong bones and muscles.

·         The kidneys flush out any excess calcium with the rest of your urine.

·         Calcium in your kidneys are usually in the form of calcium oxalate.

·         Oxalate is natural substance and can be found in some fruits, vegetables, nuts, and chocolate. It is also produced in the liver.

·         Calcium that stays in the kidneys can build up and form a kidney stone.

Uric acid stones

Uric acid stones.

·         Commonly found in men than in women.

·         Can occur with gout or chemotherapy.

·         Forms when your urine contains too much acid (low pH).

·         If too much acid is excreted, or the acid level in the urine is high, the uric acid may not dissolve and uric stones may form.

·         Eating a high-protein diet may increase your chances of getting this stone.

·         Unlike calcium stones, this stone can be "dissolved" with medical treatment.

Struvite stones

·         Commonly found in women.

·         Tends to form after you have a kidney infection, such as a urinary tract infection.

·         Grows quickly and can become quite large with little warning or symptoms.

Cystine stones

·         Commonly forms in people who have cystinuria, a genetic disorder. This disorder causes cystine (an amino acid) to leak through the kidneys and into the urine.

What Stone Do You Have?

Finding out the type of kidney stone you have will help with treatment measures and decisions to prevent it from reoccurring. 

Tests include:

·         A physical exam and a medical history.

·         Your doctor may ask you to collect stones by straining your urine so that he/she may analyze it. This is called a stone analysis.

·         To measure pH, calcium, oxalate, and other substances, a urine collection may be done. This is a test you may do at home.

·         A blood chemistry screen measures kidney function and levels of substanes that may have caused the stone to form.

·         Imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans may reveal small stones in your kidney and bladder.

By knowing what kind of stone you have, you can take steps in reducing your chances of getting another stone, which I will talk about in my upcoming post!


Sources:
National Kidney and Urologic DiseasesInformation Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kidneystonediet/

Kidney stones. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/basics/prevention/con-20024829

Pinterest. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from www.pinterest.com

Kidney stones: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000458.htm