Kidney stones occur when small hard deposits develop within the kidneys, according to the MayoClinic.com. These stones typically consist of mineral and acid salts. Kidney stones form for many reasons, but most the common cause is dehydration. When the urine is too concentrated, salts and electrolytes combine to form crystals that will later turn into kidney stones. Approximately 12 percent of men and 5 percent of women develop kidney stones by age 70, according to Emory Healthcare. Complications can occur when the urinary tract becomes blocked.
Obstruction and Urinary Tract Infections
People who have multiple kidney stones may develop a urinary tract infection when their urinary tract is obstructed, according to The Merck Manual of Medical of Medical Information. Kidney stones can obstruct or block the urinary tract, preventing urine from flowing out of the kidneys. When urine is blocked from leaving the kidney it causes a backflow of urine through the urinary tract that distends the kidney and increases pressure on its surrounding structures. This can result in a urinary tract infection. While the blockage is usually temporary and causes little to no lasting damage, in severe cases kidney damage or kidney failure can occur as the pressure increases on the kidneys. Symptoms may include a dull ache or severe pain in the area between the ribs and the hips or abdominal pain in the groin area. Treatment typically consists of surgery to remove the obstruction or the insertion of a ureteral stent to release accumulated urine.
Kidney Failure
A rare complication associated with multiple kidney stones is kidney failure. Kidney failure can occur when multiple kidney stones block the urinary tract, increase the amount of pressure on the kidneys and cause them to stop functioning. People who frequently have reoccurring kidney stones as a result of a genetic predisposition and those who have a history of developing urinary tract infections caused by urinary tract obstructions have an increased risk of experiencing kidney failure, according to The New York Times. Treatment generally consists of draining urine from the kidneys through a ureteral stent, which is a tube placed under the skin that connects the bladder to the kidneys.
Scarring
A dangerous complication associated with multiple kidney stones is a condition called scarring. Scarring occurs when kidney stones prevent urine from draining into the bladder, resulting in an enlarged kidney and the formation of scar tissue, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. When the kidney is distended or enlarged for a long period of time, scar tissue replaces the normal muscular tissue in the walls of the ureter--the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder--causing permanent kidney damage, according to The Merck Manual of Medical of Medical Information. Symptoms generally consist of dull pain in the kidney area and blood or pus in the urine. Treatment typically consists of surgery to remove the inflamed tissue and repair of the bowel so that urinary flow is restored.
