Understanding Each Kidney Stone Composition to Appreciate its Treatment

It’s interesting to note that kidney stones compositions vary, each leading to a specific distinction on how each main composition amass to form into a kidney stone. Basically, all kidney stones start with a nucleus of crystal substances. This nucleus if dissolved in a soluble form of urine can easily be excreted or washed out of the kidney. If not, that is where the problem begins.

The crystalline nucleus will combine with other insoluble or oxalates coming from the dietary intake of a person. The more oxalate produced or strained by the kidney from the bloodstream the more the nucleus will likely snowball into a bigger form, which will now be called a kidney stone. The kidney stone composition will depend on the type of oxalate concentration it contains, namely calcium, uric acid, amino acid, and magnesium

Types of Kidney Stones and their Composition

Calcium Kidney Stones

It is estimated that about 75 to 85% of all kidney stones are calcium stones. The concentration of calcium oxalates in the body is found in the urine, which will meet minute crystalline substances that attach themselves on the side of the kidney tubule. As the calcium oxalates float in the urine, they will combine with the crystals until they eventually form into a kidney stone.

Calcium ingested as a dietary substance may decrease the risks of calcium stones, because the oxalates can be dissolved or discharged by the intestine. It will no longer be carried by the bloodstream to the kidney to meet with crystal nucleus, thus, preventing the occurrence of calcium kidney stones. Intakes of caffeine have been proven to increase the risk of urinary calcium. Caffeine drinkers should therefore increase water intakes.

Uric Acid Kidney Stones

Quite surprisingly it is said that uric acid kidney stones are uncommon, representing only 5 to 8% of all kidney stones. It stems from high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream, which will meet with other insoluble acids in the urine, thus forming into uric acid kidney stones. What makes the kidney stones distinct is that the stones will find a way to lodge themselves in between the joints of the individual causing the disorder called gout. Hence, the association of kidney stones with gout pains.

The increase in levels of uric acid is attributed to excessive purine intake, which produces uric acid. Hence, persons with high uric levels are required to reduce meat intakes and increase alkaline rich fruits and vegetable consumption.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones account for only less than one percent of all kidney stones because it stems from the body’s genetic disability to transport amino acid. The insoluble amino acids will combine with the crystal nucleus and form into cystine kidney stones and develop into a disease called cystinuria.

Taking in plenty of water to keep the urine soluble to prevent the amino acid oxalates from combining with the crystals is the best prevention. Special diets of food containing amino acids should be observed since it is not recommended to eliminate amino acid totally from the system. Amino acid plays an important role in tissue growth to keep our hair and skin healthy.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones are commonly found in animals, particularly dogs. The formation of the stones usually originates from a urinary tract infection, which creates an imbalance of acid in the animal’s urine. The main composition of struvite stones are magnesium and ammonium phospate. Treatment may include a special dog food diet and increased water intake.

Knowing all these kidney stone compositions can provide us with a better understanding on the type of diet we should choose, to prevent kidney stones from forming in our body.