• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Daily Vitamina

Daily Vitamina

Bilingual Health News

  • Health Conditions
  • Healthy Living
  • Food
  • Weight Loss
  • Fitness
Home / Health Conditions / Kidney Health / Kidney Stones: Who’s Most At Risk?

Kidney Stones: Who’s Most At Risk?

Passing a kidney stone is a painful experience that few people would ever forget, and although they are more common in men, it is important for everyone to be aware of what kidney stones are, how to prevent them, the signs of symptoms, and the treatment for this condition.

What Are Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones (also known as “renal calculi”), are crystalline “stones” formed by dietary minerals in the urine. If they occur inside the kidney, the condition is known as “nephrolithiasis”. If they occur in the ureter (the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder), the condition is known as “ureterolithiasis”. And if they occur in the bladder, it is known as “cystolithiasis”.

Most stones are made up of calcium, potassium, and several other minerals and electrolytes, but calcium appears to be the most common kidney stone constituent, however other types of stones are also relatively common.

What Causes Kidney Stones to Form?

Kidney stones form due to several factors. One major factor is low fluid intake, leading to very concentrated urine and decreased ability for the body to rid itself of these minerals through more dilute urine.

High dietary intake of animal protein, sodium, refined sugars, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, cola, grapefruit juice, apple juice, and oxalates (found in spinach, nuts, chocolate, cocoa, strawberries, rhubarb, beats and other foods) can all lead to the formation of kidney stones.

Supplementation with calcium has also been linked to the formation of stones, so taking calcium under the advice of a medical practitioner or nutritionist is recommended. However, calcium consumed from calcium-rich food sources does not seem to contribute to the formation of stones.

There is some indication that fluoride in drinking water may also be a factor, but this seems inconclusive at this time.

Diets high in animal protein can contribute to the formation of kidney stones due to the excess of certain amino acids, uric acid and other properties of animal protein that acidify the urine. With increased urine acidity, the body will remove calcium from the bone tissue to fight this rising acidity, and kidney stone formation can result.

Dehydration is a common cause of kidney stone formation. Visitors to very dry climates such as the desert, for instance, must be cautious about increasing their intake of water and clear fluids in order to prevent the development of kidney stones.

Who Is Most At Risk?

Approximately 80% of the individuals experiencing a kidney stone are men, and it is very common between the ages of 30 and 40. Genetics is also a factor, as well as the dietary practices mentioned above. Ten percent of all men are likely to experience this condition in their lifetime, although Caucasian men are five times more likely to develop kidney stones than African American men.

Continue Reading

The Latest In Kidney Health

El ejercicio mejora la salud de las personas con enfermedad renal

¿Sufre usted de una enfermedad renal crónica? El ejercicio podría ser la mejor receta para su afección, sugiere una nueva investigación taiwanesa. Los científicos encontraron que los pacientes altamente activos tenían un riesgo más bajo de progresión de la enfermedad [Read More...] about El ejercicio mejora la salud de las personas con enfermedad renal
group of surgeons

One Living Donor Helped Save The Lives of 3 Kidney Transplant Patients

In an extraordinary act of generosity, Terri Thede decided to donate one of her kidneys to a Loyola Medicine transplant patient she had never met. "This lady is going to heaven," said William Parra, who received Ms. Thede's kidney. Ms. [Read More...] about One Living Donor Helped Save The Lives of 3 Kidney Transplant Patients
man taking heartburn medicine

Anti-reflux (heartburn) Meds May Cause Kidney Trouble

If you're one of the millions of Americans who takes one of a class of anti-reflux meds such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid, take heed: These drugs have been linked to higher odds of kidney trouble. The study couldn't prove [Read More...] about Anti-reflux (heartburn) Meds May Cause Kidney Trouble
selena gomez

Selena Gomez Had An Emergency Surgery Following Her Kidney Transplant

Selena Gomez received a kidney transplant this summer and apparently, her experience was more severe than everyone had thought. Gomez and her best friend and kidney donor Francia Raisa sat down with Today where she revealed that she had an [Read More...] about Selena Gomez Had An Emergency Surgery Following Her Kidney Transplant
selena gomez

Selena Gomez Is Back In The Gym, Weeks After Kidney Transplant

Selena Gomez is back at the gym just a couple of weeks after announcing she received a kidney transplant, which is something that is highly recommended for most people, but it has even more benefits for dialysis patients and post-kidney [Read More...] about Selena Gomez Is Back In The Gym, Weeks After Kidney Transplant
selena gomez

Selena Gomez Receives Kidney From Her BFF (Due to Lupus Complications)

In 2015 Selena Gomez revealed that she was diagnosed with lupus and underwent chemotherapy. The 25-year-old singer has been in and out of the hospital and just recently she announced that she received the greatest gift any person could ever [Read More...] about Selena Gomez Receives Kidney From Her BFF (Due to Lupus Complications)

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • AHA News: Silent Heart Attacks All Too Common, and Often OverlookedAHA News: Silent Heart Attacks All Too Common, and…
  • Migraines? Get Moving: Exercise Can Help Curb AttacksMigraines? Get Moving: Exercise Can Help Curb Attacks
  • An Insider’s Guide To Cut Costs on Prescription DrugsAn Insider’s Guide To Cut Costs on Prescription Drugs
  • Bedroom Light at Night Might Boost Women's WeightBedroom Light at Night Might Boost Women’s Weight
  • Often Feel Bloated? One Ingredient May Be To BlameOften Feel Bloated? One Ingredient May Be To Blame

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.