Treatment of kidney stones differs from the type of kidney stones you’ve. As per Dr Mahesh Krishnaswamy and Dr K.M.Cherian, the first step in Kidney stones treatment is to learn what kind of kidney stones the patient’s body makes.
Medicines and dietary changes are made to prevent kidney stones. Doctors would study the patient’s body and develop the ideal diet plan and medication list altered to tackle the type of kidney stone the patient has.
Here are the 5 types of kidney stones:
1. Calcium Oxalate Stones
The most common type of kidney stone is formed when the urine is acidic having a low pH level. Diets play a major role in the formation of this stone. Dietary oxalates found in many vegetables, fruits and nuts is an organic molecule that forms into stones. Calcium from bones can also become a reason for having Calcium Oxalate Stones.
2. Calcium Phosphate Stones
Calcium phosphate stones are the rarest type of kidney stones. When the urine turns alkaline, having a high pH level, calcium phosphate stones are formed.
3. Uric Acid Stones
Diets rich in animal proteins and purine substances found naturally in foods like animal organs, fish and shellfish, tend to create Uric Acid stones. Urine is persistently acidic in the case of Uric Acid Stones.
4. Struvite Stones
Struvite stones are formed due to infection in the kidneys and are most commonly found in women. Diets do not determine the formation of Struvite stones but being infection-free is the preventive method for this kidney stone. Checking if you’ve any underlying infection is important to see if you’ve Struvite Stones.
5. Cystine Stones
Cystine stones are the result of a rare genetic disorder. Cystine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein that leaks through the kidneys and into the urine. The leakage forms crystals that combine to be what is called Cystine Kidney Stones.
Diagnosing kidney stones depends on the type of kidney stones you’ve. If you’re prone to Calcium Oxalate Stones, limiting Oxalates in your diet could help prevent Oxalate Kidney stones. Uric acid stones could be prevented by limiting organ meats and other animal products from your diet.
Genetically and infected kidney stones would require the immediate consultation of a doctor. Drinking water is one of the best things you could do for your kidney.
To sum up:
- Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones.
- Calcium phosphate stones are the rarest type.
- Animal proteins and organ meats tend to create Uric acid stones.
- Underlying infections lead to Struvite stones.
- Cystine stones are the result of a rare genetic disorder.
- Consulting with your doctor could help in understanding what type of kidney stone you’ve to determine your treatment plan.
- Limiting Oxalate in your diet could help prevent kidney stones.
