Kidney stones occur when salts and other minerals normally found in the urine stick or clump together, forming crystals. Kidney stones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Sometimes they stay in the kidneys and other times they are passed out through the urine. They can exist and be eliminated without ever causing symptoms, while in other cases they cause extreme pain. Kidney stones can occur due to dehydration or from eating large amounts of certain foods. There are also some non-dietary causes of kidney stones that may require medical treatment.
Infections
There are different types of kidney stones. Struvite stones can usually be traced back to some kind of infection in the body, such as a kidney or urinary tract infection, claims the Mayo Clinic. Bacteria that are normally found in the body can sometimes build up and cause an infection. When this happens, the infection may inhibit the body from passing urine correctly, which can contribute to the development of kidney stones. Kidney stones caused by infections tend to be large and the symptoms come on abruptly.
Inherited Diseases
The exact cause of a kidney stone sometimes remains unknown, however it does appear that certain people are more susceptible. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that there are various inherited genetic disorders that can lead to an increased risk of developing kidney stones. This includes cystinuria, where the body produces high amounts of the amino acid cystine, and hyperoxaluria, where the body produces too much oxalate. Renal tubular acidosis, which is a disorder in which too much acid builds up in the blood, and hypercalciuria, where the urine retains too much calcium, are additional inherited conditions that can cause kidney stones to form.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
There are various conditions that can cause irritation or inflammation in the intestines. This includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Sometimes, these types of conditions can cause inflammation and blockages in other areas of the body. According to Merck, this can lead to infections as well as the formation of both gallstones and kidney stones.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism, in which there is an excess build-up of calcium in the body, can also lead to kidney stone formation, states the New York University School of Medicine. This disease leads to an excess of the parathyroid hormone, which normally controls the levels of calcium in the blood stream. When there is too much parathyroid hormone, calcium levels build too high and kidney stones may form.
Indinavir
The medication indinavir (trade name Crixivan) is in a class of drugs called protease inhibitors. This drug is designed to slow the spread of the HIV infection. It is used in cases where the HIV infection is present and in cases where there is accidental exposure. One of the side effects of this medication is an increased risk of kidney stones.
