Alcohol | Kidney stone causes

Alcohol

Regular and above all excessive alcohol consumption favors the development of kidney stones. In particular, the formation of uric acid stones is promoted by alcohol. Uric acid stones are caused by a so-called hyperuricemia.

This is the result of a too high level of uric acid in the blood. Various factors are responsible for hyperuricemia. Alcohol is one of them.

In alcoholism, less uric acid is excreted through the kidneys. Thus the uric acid accumulates and can lead to the formation of uric acid stones. Alcoholism also favors a reduced drinking of good liquids such as water and unsweetened tea.

As a result of dehydration, kidney stones are also increasingly formed. The development of some tumor diseases is also promoted by regular alcohol consumption. Tumor diseases in turn lead to an increased decay of cells in the body. As a result, uric acid is also increased, which can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Alcohol should therefore in all respects only be consumed in small quantities and is associated with health consequences if consumed regularly.

Metabolic diseases

The metabolic disorders that can lead to kidney stones include hyperoxaluria, hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid gland) or thyroid (hyperthyroidism). In all these diseases there is an excess of a certain electrolyte, which ultimately favors the formation of stones.

Infections

Infections lead to kidney stones mainly because many bacteria are able to change the pH value of their environment.Anatomical peculiarities such as scarring in the kidney area, the so-called horseshoe kidney or additional ureters increase the risk of kidney stones because they obstruct the flow of urine. Approximately 10 to 20% of kidney stones are so-called struvite stones. These are kidney stones that are caused by bacterial infections of the urinary tract.

They are mostly urease-forming germs. The urease causes the urine to contain less acid and thus become more alkaline. This in turn means that certain substances can no longer dissolve well in the urine and precipitate to form stones. These are often infections caused by the pathogen Proteus. Less frequently, Klebsiellae, Pseudomonas or Staphylococcus can be the cause.