Causes of Kidney Stones

Scientists and doctors are still investigating the possible kidney stone causes. However, they do know that certain risk factors—such as age, gender, diet, and family history—can make a person more prone to developing them. Certain inherited diseases, such as cystinuria, hyperoxaluria, hypercalciuria, or hyperuricosuria, may also play a role in the development of kidney stones.

Information on Kidney Stones

What Are the Causes of Kidney Stones?

No one knows the exact causes of kidney stones, and doctors can seldom explain why one person will get kidney stones and another person will not. However, kidney stone research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop the condition. (A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chances of developing a disease.)

Know the Risk Factors

Some of the risk factors for kidney stones include:

Age
Gender
Certain diets
Family history
Urinary tract infections and blockage of the urinary tract
Kidney disease, such as cystic kidney disease
Medical conditions, like gout
Excess vitamin D intake
Metabolic disorders, such as hyperparathyroidism
Certain medications, such as diuretics, indinavir, or calcium-based antacids
Inherited diseases, such as cystinuria, hyperoxaluria, hypercalciuria, or hyperuricosuria.

Age and Gender

Kidney stones are more common in males and in people who are middle-aged.

Does Diet Play a Role?

While certain foods may promote stone formation, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible to the condition.

(Click Kidney Stones and Diet for more information.)

(Causes of Kidney Stones Continued: Page 2)