Kidney stones occur when minerals in urine become highly concentrated and form into crystals. Once a person has one kidney stone, there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of recurring kidney stones, according to the Kidney Stone Web Site. The occurrence of kidney stones is highly prevalent in the southeastern area of the United States, which has resulted in the name "Stonebelt" for that area. The specific cause of recurring kidney stones is often unknown; however, there are factors that may increase the risk.
Age, Gender and Ethnicity
Factors such as age, gender and ethnicity contribute to the frequency of kidney stone formation. People who develop kidney stones at a young age are more likely to develop recurring kidney stones. Gender also contributes to kidney stone formation as men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women. The risk of men developing kidney stones significantly increases after age 40 and continues to increase through the 70s. The risk of kidney stones for women usually decreases after age 50. Ancestry also plays a role in the risk of kidney stones, as Caucasians are more likely than any other ethnic group to develop them.
Insufficient Fluid Intake
One factor that often contributes to recurring kidney stones is persistent insufficient fluid intake, causing mild, chronic dehydration. If a person consistently drinks too little water, this can decrease urine volume and increase the concentration of the minerals in the urine that form into kidney stones, thereby increasing the risk of recurring kidney stones.
Infections and Conditions
Frequently occurring urinary tract infections raise the risk of a particular type of kidney stones called struvite stones. Other medical conditions, such as acid reflux, medullary sponge kidney, cystic kidney disease, bowel disease and bone disease are all linked to an increased frequency of kidney stone formation.
Hereditary Disorders
Certain hereditary disorders that run in families increase the risk of recurring kidney stones. One rare hereditary disease, renal tubular acidosis, increases the acidity of urine, which favors kidney stone formation. Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic disorder that results in high levels of cystine in the blood and urine, which leads to frequent formation of cystine kidney stones. Another hereditary metabolic disorder, hyperoxaluria, results in high levels of the salt oxalate in the body, which combines with calcium to form kidney stones. Hypercalciuria causes high levels of calcium to accumulate in the body, which increases the frequency of kidney stones. Hyperuricosuria increases levels of uric acid in urine, leading to the formation of uric acid kidney stones.
