According to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the great majority of kidney stones cases occur from the build up of calcium in the urinary tract with other substances in the urine such as oxalate and phosphate. The most common symptoms of calcium-type kidney stones are pain in the abdominal region and blood in the urine. The occurrence of these symptoms with a lack of signs of infection such as nausea and fever suggests that a calcium-based kidney stone may be present in the urinary tract rather than a struvite stone, which is typically found in association with a urinary tract infection.
Abdominal Pain
The most common symptom of calcium-based kidney stones is a sharp, stinging or cramp-like pain in the abdomen, back or side. This pain may occur in waves as a kidney stone passes through the urinary tract. The NIDDK explains that calcium kidney stones take on a variety of shapes and sizes and pain may vary with these parameters. Some calcium-containing stones may be large enough to block the urinary tract altogether, preventing the flow of urine and causing further pain and discomfort.
Blood in the Urine
As larger calcium-based kidney stones pass through the urinary tract, they can scrape and damage the inner lining of the urinary tract and cause bleeding. According to a review of kidney stone disease in "The Journal of Clinical Investigation," this may present as bloody, pink or cloudy urine. Kidney stones may also cause urine to take on a peculiar odor.
Prior History
According to the NIDDK, individuals with a personal or family history of calcium-type kidney stones have a greater chance of developing calcium-type stones than individuals without a history of kidney stone disease.
Lack of Fluids or High Dietary Oxalate
A leading cause of calcium-type kidney stones is high levels calcium in the kidneys. To prevent the build-up of calcium kidney stones in the kidneys, the NIDDK recommends that people prone to calcium kidney stones drink 12 glasses of water per day. The Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation recommends that individuals at risk for calcium-type kidney stones avoid oxalate-rich foods, such as rhubarb, spinach, chard, beets and chocolate.
