What Causes Kidney Stones?
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Kidney stones are formed from mineral residues from our diets which accumulate in the kidneys. Doctors do not always know the cause of kidney stones. While certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible.
The most common types of kidney stones are the calcium-type, specifically calcium oxalate stones, which are to blame for 80% of kidney stone incidents. It has been found that the ability to produce such stones is inherited. The condition is called hypercalciuria.
Studies show that foods which are high in calcium do not necessarily cause the formation of calcium-type kidney stones, however persons consuming calcium supplements may develop them due to high levels of calcium in the urine, which causes crystals of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate to form in the kidneys or elsewhere in the urinary tract. A deficiency in magnesium has been found to be a possible cause for the formation of calcium oxalates, and supplementation with magnesium has been found to be an effective remedy in dissolving these types of kidney stones and keeping them from reoccurring.
Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders (such as cystic kidney diseases), and certain metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to kidney stone formation. A person with a family history of kidney stones may also be more likely to develop them.
People with a rare hereditary disease called renal tubular acidosis have a high likelihood of developing kidney stones.
Cystinuria and hyperoxaluria are two other rare, inherited metabolic disorders that often cause kidney stones. In cystinuria, too much of the amino acid cystine, which does not dissolve in urine, is voided, leading to the formation of stones made of cystine. In patients with hyperoxaluria, the body produces too much oxalate, a salt. When the urine contains more oxalate than can be dissolved, the crystals settle and form stones.
Other causes of kidney stones are hyperuricosuria, which is a disorder of uric acid metabolism; gout; excess intake of vitamin D; and blockage of the urinary tract. Certain diuretics, commonly called water pills, and calcium-based antacids may increase the risk of the formation of kidney stones by increasing the amount of calcium in the urine.
Calcium oxalate stones may also form in people who have chronic inflammation of the bowel or who have had an intestinal bypass operation, or ostomy surgery. Persons who take the protease inhibitor indinavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infection) are also at increased risk of developing kidney stones.
As detailed above, 80% of all kidney stones are of the 'calcium oxalate' type. Studies have shown that persons who have calcium oxalate kidney stones are quite often deficient in magnesium, and research shows that supplementation with magnesium helps reduce the occurrence of calcium oxalate crystals. One of the most revolutionary and effective options for the treatment of calcium oxalate kidney stones is a specially formulated product called KIDNEY STONE FLUSH (KSF).
The most effective way do help dissolve Calcium-type kidney stones is by supplementing with magnesium. All magnesium supplements however are not created equal. KIDNEY STONES FLUSH (KSF) is an liquid ionic magnesium which helps displace the calcium in calcium oxalate stones. This action helps in starts dissolving the stones while preventing the reforming of future kidney stones. Click here to learn more
Kidney Stone Fact
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about 10% of all persons (male or female) will have a kidney stone in his or her lifetime.