Synonyms in a broader sense
Urolithiasis, nephrolithiasis, urinary stones, renal calculus
Definition of kidney stones
Kidney stones (urolithiasis) are defined as the formation of urinary stones in the kidney and the urinary tract. These kidney stones are caused by disturbances in the chemical balance of the urine. They are mainly crystalline structures. The size and localization of the stones, as well as possible sequelae, determine the complaints (symptoms) that occur.
Frequency
Every year, 1% of men and 0.5% of women in Germany develop kidney stones. The probability of suffering from it at some point in the course of one’s life is about 4%, which means that kidney stones are more common than, for example, diabetes mellitus (3%). Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 are most frequently affected.
Causes of kidney stones
The development of kidney stones is very complex and only partial aspects are known to date. 1. prenatal causes of kidney stones (i.e. the cause is located in front of the kidney due to an increased amount of urinary calculus forming substances, especially calcium and phosphate) 2. renal causes of kidney stones (the cause is located in the kidney itself) 3. postrenal causes of kidney stones (the cause is located in the urinary tract)
- Vitamin D overdose (rare)
- Immobilization (immobility) as a result of a disease: bone remodeling or bone resorption can lead to a disturbance of the calcium and phosphate balance (= increased excretion via urine)
- Hyperparathyroidism: hyperactivity of the parathyroid glands (increased hormone production leads to increased calcium and phosphate excretion via urine); responsible for 5 – 10% of all calcium-containing urinary stones!
- Renal tubular acidosis: defect of the renal tubules (insufficient acid urine can be produced – pH value never below 5.8)
- Hypercalzuria: calcium excretion of more than 8 mmol/d (e.g. due to reduced reabsorption in the kidney or increased absorption via the intestine)
- Urinary flow disorders
- Urinary tract infection cystitis
Stress and severe psychological strain can be triggers for kidney stones.
The formation of stones in the urinary tract is based on an interaction of various factors, such as diet, exercise, water balance, age and many others. Stress is only one component that can have a negative effect and should be taken into account in treatment or prevention. Alcohol, especially beer, leads to an increase in uric acid in the blood, a breakdown product of so-called purines.
Since uric acid stones make up the second largest proportion after oxalate stones, alcohol is a major risk factor for the development of kidney stones. Although alcohol also has a flushing effect, the negative consequences outweigh this. and kidney pain after alcohol
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