The 5 Most Common Types of Kidney Stones & How to Avoid Them

Kidney stones were once considered primarily a concern for middle-aged adults. Unfortunately, diets high in ultra-processed foods and lifestyle changes have increased the rates of kidney stones among the younger generation, including teens and those in their 20s.

While a balanced diet and staying well hydrated are key for maintaining kidney function, it is equally important to support your kidney health with natural products like Krishna Ayurveda Kidney Relive Juice. This juice helps strengthen your kidney function and prevent stone formation without any risk of side effects.

It is a well-known fact that kidney stones are one of the most painful medical maladies. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know just how true that is!

But here’s something you might not know— not all stones are created equal and are made up of different substances. Let’s explore some common types of kidney stones and how to avoid them.

What Are Kidney Stones?

These are solid, pebble-like pieces that form from minerals and salts found in urine. They can develop in one or both of your kidneys and affect any part of your urinary tract including ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Ureters- thin tubular structures that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Urinary bladder- an organ in the lower part of your abdomen where urine is stored.

Urethra- the tube through which urine is excreted from your body.

In medical terms, kidney stones are called renal calculi or nephrolithiasis. They may vary in size from as small as a grain of sand to as big as a pearl. Most kidney stones do not cause permanent damage and pass out of your body through urine on their own. But sometimes larger stones may not dissolve and may become lodged in your urinary tract, blocking the flow of urine and resulting in unbearable pain.

Some Useful Products Recommended For Kidney Stones:

• Krishna’s Ayurveda Kidney Relive Juice:  Enriched with 23 natural ingredients that enhance kidney function and help remove kidney stones.
• Krishna’s Kidney Re-live Tablet: An Ayurvedic health supplement made of powerful herbs known for dissolving kidney stones.
• Krishna’s Uric Balance Juice: A powerful blend of 9 natural ingredients known to regulate uric acid levels in your body and prevent uric acid stones.

How Do Kidney Stones Form?

Your kidneys’ main job is to filter waste products and extra fluids from your blood and remove them in the form of urine. The urine is made up of 95% water and other constituents like urea (2%), creatinine (0.1%), uric acid (0.03%), sodium, potassium, ammonium, and other dissolved ions, and compounds in lesser amounts.

When urine becomes concentrated with too many minerals like calcium or uric acid, and there is not enough liquid to dilute it, crystals start forming. These tiny crystals combine and grow over time, forming larger solid deposits known as kidney stones. The size and type of stone can vary, depending on which substances are involved and how concentrated they become.

What Are The Types of Kidney Stones?

Here are the four common types of kidney stones that can form in your urinary system.

1. Calcium stones

These are by far the most common type of kidney stones, found in about 80% of cases. Calcium stones are usually made up of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a chemical that is naturally produced by your liver and found in certain foods like spinach, nuts, and chocolate. Consumption of high-oxalate or low-calcium foods, high sodium intake, dehydration, as well as several metabolic disorders like hyperparathyroidism, may contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones.

Another form of calcium stones is calcium phosphate which occurs due to abnormalities in the way your urinary system functions.

2. Uric acid stones

This is the second most common type of kidney stone which forms when there is a high amount of purines in your body. It is a natural chemical found mainly in animal proteins, such as fish, shellfish, and meats.

A diet rich in purines increases uric acid production, eventually causing it to crystallise and harden in your kidneys. This type of stone can also be seen in people suffering from gout, which is a painful arthritis condition caused by uric acid deposits in and around the joints. Individuals having diabetes or metabolic syndrome are also at high risk of developing the condition. Certain genetic factors or inherited problems may also increase your risk.

3. Struvite stones

This type of stone occurs due to repeated bacterial infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bacteria produce ammonia, which raises your urine’s pH level and leads to the formation of struvite stones (a combination of ammonium, magnesium, and phosphate).  These stones can grow rapidly and cause urinary obstruction.

4. Cystine stones

These stones occur in people who have the genetic disorder cystinuria. It is a rare inherited disease in which cystine, an amino acid that is naturally present in your body, leaks from the kidneys into the urine leading to the formation of stones. It is a lifelong disorder that causes recurring episodes of stone formation.

Knowing which type of stone you have can help you understand its cause and determine the best way to reduce your risk of having future stones.  If you pass a stone, try to save it and bring it to your doctor for analysis, if possible. 

Tips to Avoid Kidney Stones

While not all kidney stones are the same, some general strategies can help you prevent kidney stones.

• Stay well hydrated and increase your fluid intake. This is the easiest way to keep your urine less concentrated with waste products and flush the kidneys. No matter what type you have or no matter who you are, insufficient fluid intake or dehydration is always a risk factor. So, drink enough fluid to pass at least 2.5 litres of urine every day. But, most of the fluid you drink should be water and less black tea, and dark colas. These beverages have high amounts of oxalate that may form kidney stones.
• Cut down on salt in your diet. Excessive sodium or salt intake causes calcium to build up in your urine. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends less than 2300 milligrams a day. So, avoid all those packaged and prepared foods, which often have high salt content, and opt for fresh, home-cooked meals.
• Have a normal calcium diet. Make sure it’s not too low or too high. Having calcium stones does not mean you need to completely cut out all foods high in oxalate or calcium from your diet. This is not a healthy approach and can lead to poor nutrition and other health issues. The best way is to eat calcium and oxalate-rich foods together in the same meal. This way, they bind to each other and get absorbed in your stomach and intestines, before reaching your kidneys.
• Avoid or limit your intake of animal-based protein foods such as meats, poultry, fish, etc., to prevent the formation of calcium phosphate and uric acid stones.
• Treat underlying infections promptly. If you frequently suffer from UTIs, seek timely treatment to prevent the development of struvite stones.
• Try to include natural herbs and Ayurvedic products in your diet, especially if you have a family history or are at risk of developing kidney stones. But, make sure to consult a doctor before making any changes.

Also Read: Ayurvedic Care for Kidney Stones

Wrapping Up!

Kidney stones are common but are a temporary condition. Staying hydrated, eating the right amount of food and a few lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk.

Remember, if you have a family history or have a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease, persistent urinary tract infection, or obesity that increases your risk, talk to your doctor to prevent your situation from getting worse.