symptom of kidney stones : Types of Kidney Stones

The crystals in the urine are responsible for kidney stones. When there is an imbalance in the minerals and salts found in the urine, it may lead to their formation. Different types of stones are formed depending on the salts present in the urine.

Calcium Stones: These are the most commonly occurring kidney stones. 75% to 85% of all kidney stone cases are calcium stone based. These stones comprise of calcium and oxalate, which are introduced to the body through the food we eat. Excessive intake of calcium and oxalate can help form calcium stones. Besides, excessive vitamin D intake, and hyperactive parathyroid glands can also cause kidney stones.

Struvite Stones: These stones are not very common and are found mostly in women. The bacteria that cause urinary tract infection are responsible for the production of ammonia. Struvite stones, also known as infection stones, are formed when there is excessive ammonia in the urine.

Uric Acid Stones: People who eat meat products in excess run the risk of forming uric acid stones, as meat ingestion leads to production of uric acid, a by-product of protein metabolism.

Cystine Stones: These are the least common of all stones and are made from cystine, an amino acid. Cystinuria, a hereditary disorder, is responsible for the formation of cystine stones.

by Ashely Farrar