Guide To Understanding Kidney Stones

Causes of Kidney Stones

Ultimately, kidney stones are caused by urine being too concentrated. The cause of high urine concentration itself, however, varies with each unique type of kidney stone. Types of kidney stones include calcium stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones, and cystine stones. Calcium stones are the most common type and are caused by a high intake of calcium oxalate in the diet, a high intake of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery, or one of many various metabolic disorders. Struvite stones are the result of an infection. Uric acid stones can be caused by chronic dehydration, consuming excess animal protein, gout, and other genetic factors. Cystine stones are caused by a rare hereditary disorder known as cystinuria, which causes kidneys to produce too many amino acids.