Patient Education: What causes kidney stones?
By admin
Published: August 13, 2009
kidney stones
Patients may be at risk for kidney stones if:-
- High concentrations of calcium, oxalate or uric acid in the urine.
- Low pH (urine too acidic)
- Concentrated urine (poor fluid intake)
- Not eating enough calcium (you absorb too much oxalate if calcium is low)
- Eating too much calcium
- High sugar intake
- High protein intake.
- High sodium intake.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAY ALSO PREDISPOSE TO KIDNEY STONE FORMATION
Gout
Diabetes Mellitus
Obesity
Gastric bypass
Primary hyperparathyroidism.
Crohn’s disease.
SOME QUICK FACTS.
If you have previously had a stone you are at increased risk for a new one.
Drinking high volumes of grapefruit juice has been linked to kidney stones.
Green tea and coffee lowers the risk
Beer and wine are ok.
A normal calcium intake may protect you from kidney stone formation
A high calcium intake causes stones as well as a low calcium intake too.
Dietary fibres such as wheat and cereal reduces risk.
Excessive vitamin C intake increases the risk
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About Roger: Dr. Roger Smith is a nephrologist currently employed to the government of Jamaica. He is the Nephrologist in charge of Spanish Town Dialysis Unit. His interests are lupus nephritis and other glomerulopathies. He was previously a lecturer in Nephrology at the University of the West Indies in the Department of Internal Medicine and Coordinator of the Urogenital Module before moving into private and government practice. |
Tagged with: prevention
