Kidney stones are an extremely painful condition, and as such, many of Dr. Pedram Ilbeigi’s patients wish to avoid them.
It is important that patients from Rancho Mirage and the Inland Empire understand what causes kidney stones before they can work to prevent them. As a urology expert, Dr. Ilbeigi has found that there are several factors that contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
Decrease in Urine Creation
Sometimes, when a patient is not creating the amount of urine that they used to, they will find that kidney stones will begin to form. In addition, patients who start to produce more calcium or other chemicals in their urine than they did previously are at a higher risk for kidney stones in their body.
The majority of kidney stones are made up of calcium, but other chemicals that are found in kidney stones include magnesium ammonium phosphate and uric acid.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be a significant factor in the formation of kidney stones. Sometimes a person becomes dehydrated because they are simply not drinking enough fluids on a daily basis, and other times a patient can become dehydrated because they have a strenuous exercise routine and are not replenishing their liquids on a regular basis. Ultimately, dehydration results in producing less urine, which can help in the creation of kidney stones.
Urinary Tract Infections
A person who has recently suffered from a urinary tract infection is at a higher risk for kidney stones. Stones that form from these infections are considered to be struvite stones, which also are known as infection stones.
Medical conditions
People with certain medical conditions are at an increased risk for developing kidney stones. Medical conditions that put people at a higher risk include gout, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease and hypercalciuria.
Several other conditions that might put patients at an increased risk for kidney stones include renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria and hyperparathyroidism. In addition, patients who have previously had surgeries such as ostomy surgery or intestinal bypass surgery are more likely to develop kidney stones than others who have not undergone these operations.
Medications
Sometimes the medications that a person takes will put them at an increased risk for kidney stones. Medications that are known to increase this risk include diuretics, antacids that have calcium in them and indinavir, which is a drug commonly used to help treat HIV.
Diet
As with anything, diet can play a role in the developing of kidney stones. A high-salt diet or a high-sugar diet will leave a patient with an increased risk to develop kidney stones.
It is important to see a urologist to evaluate your own specific risk factors for kidney stones. When you work with Dr. Ilbeigi, you will find that you are working with a trusted medical professional who cares about your individual needs. Overall, Dr. Ilbeigi has found that these factors contribute to the growth and formation of kidney stones in a patient’s body.
