A report published in the December 8, 2003 issue of "Eating and Weight Disorders," concedes that kidney stones are a recognized complication of anorexia nervosa. Equally, patients with other types of eating disorders have a higher risk of getting kidney stones, particularly bulimia nervosa and overeating disorders. Patients with food phobias also have a high risk of getting kidney stones. Just like patients with anorexia or bulimia, patients with food phobias have a fear of certain foods and do eat foods needed for optimal health. Some types of kidney stones are more common in certain eating disorders.
Calcium Stones
Calcium levels play an important factor in the development of kidney stones. High calcium levels can form calcium stones. High calcium levels are common among the population suffering from overeating disorders. Ironically, a lack of calcium intake can cause high calcium levels. When calcium intake is scarce, the body uses calcium from the bones, thereby increasing calcium serum levels in the body. When an eating disorder causes dehydration, the calcium serum becomes more concentrated and further increases the risk for stone development.
Oxalate Stones
Unlike some calcium stones, another type of calcium stone called oxalate stones can develop from low levels of calcium in the body. Normally in a healthy diet, calcium works as an inhibitor of absorption of oxalate in the intestines, and prevents the formation of oxalate stones. Poor nutrition causes low levels of calcium in the body—at least temporarily until the body prompts for the urgent call for calcium from the bones—and increase the risk for developing oxalate stones.
Citrate Stones
A deficiency of magnesium or potassium in the diet can cause citrate stones develop when. Other causes that contribute to citrate stones include chronic diarrhea and dehydration. Diarrhea may stem from a lack of healthy or probiotic foods. Laxative or diuretic use can cause significant water, enzyme, and stomach acid loss, increasing the risk of developing citrate stones.
Urate Stones
High levels of uric acid in the urine can cause urate stones. High intake of meat protein can cause urate stones. Patients with any type of eating disorder have a high risk of developing urate stones, as dehydration is another cause of urate stones. For sufferers of overeating disorders, high meat content, in addition to a lack of adequate water intake, further increases the risk.
Struvite Stones
Infection stones, also called struvite stones or triple phosphate stones, form when a bacterial infection attacks the urinary system, often the urinary tract. Poor nutrition can disrupt the healthy flora in the bladder and urinary tract. Bladder and urinary tract infections cause struvite stones. According to the Urology Channel, struvite stones affect women more than men, as urinary tract infections occur more often in women than men. A patient with an eating disorder may also have a compromised immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infection, and posing a complication in treating the medical conditions aroused from the disorder.
References
- PubMed: Kidney Stones In Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
- University of Washington:Calcium to Treat and Prevent Osteoporosis
- "Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery, 5th Edition"; H. Winter Griffith, M.D.; 2006
- CCFA: Extraintestinal Complications: Kidney Disorders
- Urology Channel: Types of Kidney Stones
