The kidneys are responsible for removing excess water and waste products from the blood in the form of urine, which contains a variety of chemicals that keep all of the waste products dissolved in fluid and prevent crystals from forming. When the urine contains excess amounts of a certain waste product, kidney stones, which are hard masses, can form.
Physiology
Protein foods contain high amounts of substances called purines. When you eat protein foods, the body breaks the purines down into a different substance called uric acid, which usually dissolves in the blood, travels through the kidneys and is then eliminated from the body in the urine. If you eat a diet that is very high in protein, the body cannot keep up with the elimination of uric acid. Instead, uric acid does not dissolve in the blood and forms urate crystals, which can accumulate in the kidneys. When urate crystals accumulate in the kidneys, they form uric acid kidney stones.
Other Types of Kidney Stones
It is important to note that uric acid stones are not the only type of kidney stones. Most kidney stones that develop are actually calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate, according to MayoClinic.com. Other types of kidney stones include struvite stones, which develop as a result of infections, and cystine stones, which are caused by a genetic disorder.
Symptoms
MayoClinic.com notes that kidney stones may not cause any symptoms until they move into the ureter, which is the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder. Small kidney stones may not cause symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they include severe pain in the side, back, abdomen and groin; pain during urination; changes in urine color; nausea; vomiting; a frequent urge to urinate; fever; and chills.
Treatment
Treatment for kidney stones depends on the size and type of the stones. You can usually pass small kidney stones on your own by increasing your water intake to 2 to 3 quarts per day. This can help flush out your urinary system. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help relieve the pain until your kidney stone passes. If the kidney stones are larger, they may require medical intervention. A procedure called extracorporeal shock therapy can be used to break up stones and make them easier to pass. This procedure involves the use of sound waves that cause vibrations strong enough to break the stones. If this treatment is not successful, surgery may be needed to physically remove the stones.
Prevention
Reducing your protein intake can help prevent the development of kidney stones. When eating protein, it may be beneficial to choose non-animal protein sources, such as nuts, tofu and beans. Increasing your water intake can also help increase your urine production, which flushes out the kidneys and may help prevent the formation of kidney stones. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse also recommends reducing your intake of foods that are rich in oxalate, such as beets, spinach, okra, sweet potatoes, tea, chocolate and soy.
