Anyone know why you keep getting kidney stones?

Question

I am 31 years old and have had 5 kidney stones in 6 months. No one can tell me why i keep getting them.

Answer 1

Kidney stones (small, solid masses) form when salts or minerals (found in urine) become solid inside the kidney. Usually, these crystals are very tiny and pass harmlessly. But in some people, they build up inside the kidney forming much larger stones. The cause is unknown which is why no one can say why you are getting them. Some people are just susceptible even though science doesn't know why.

It would help to know what type of stones you are forming (there are several types: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite and cystine). It would be easier to give you some tips on how you might minimze the occurrence. However, since I don't know, I will tell you for each but ALWAYS check with your doctor before following any of these guidelines. He will have his own he wants you to follow since your medical history may make some of the normal guidelines unsafe for you.

First overall for all types of stones:
1. drink lots of fluids! you want your urine clear, not yellow (at least 12 glasses)
2 duscuss dietary changes with your doctor based on your type of stones

For calcuim oxalate stones:
limit coffee, tea, chocolate, cooked spinach, beets, cola, nuts, strawberries, wheat bran and asparagus (these contain high levels of oxalate)
It used to be recommended to limit your calcium but recent studies have shown that increasing your calcium is of more benefit...but this is calcium rich foods...NOT pills! For some reason, the pills aggravate the situation. Check with your doctor (if you have calcium oxalate stones) on his guidelines!
He might also want you to avoid vitamin D and antacids that contain calcium.

For uric acid stones:
eat less fish, meat and poultry
preventative medication may be prescribed

For struvite stones:
your body must be kept free of infection
long term antibiotics may be needed

cystine stones:
preventative medication may be prescribed
doctor may want you to drink up to a gallon of water a day with most of it being at night

Answer 2

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