ARE KIDNEY STONE OCCURENCES ON THE RISE?

Kidney stones (calculi) are hardened mineral deposits that form in the kidney.  They originate as microscopic particles or crystals and develop into stones over time.  The medical term for this condition is nephrolithiasis, or renal stone disease.

Most of us don’t give much thought to kidney stones until we have one that causes severe pain.  Then, we may not be able to think about much else besides the stone and its discomfort. Unfortunately, kidney stones are on the minds of more people today than in the past.  They affect about 1 in 11 Americans– a marked increase over the 1 in 20 they affected in 1994.

When researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), they found the highest incidence of stones to be among Caucasian males (12.8%). Among adults ages 60 and older, 20% of men and 10% of women had a history of kidney stones.

What’s the reason behind the uptick?  Studies have suggested that much of the blame should be placed on the rise of obesity.  The researchers also found an association between kidney stone risk and diabetes and gout. Traditional risk factors for kidney stones include:

•  inadequate fluid intake, which results in the production of too little urine
•  a personal or family history of stones
•  high blood pressure
•  a history of certain types of bowel surgery, such as bariatric surgery or gastric bypass

Calcium supplements are also associated with a slight risk of kidney stones.  However, consuming too little calcium from food can promote stone development.  Since the most common type of kidney stone is formed from calcium combined with oxalate or phosphate, it may seem counter-intuitive to eat calcium-rich foods. However, when consumed, calcium binds with oxalate and leaves the body through the stool.  When oxalate doesn’t have enough calcium to bind with, it builds up in the bloodstream and enters the urine, where it can cause stones.

In addition to consuming sufficient amounts of calcium (at least 2 servings a day), take these steps to avoid stones:

• Drink at least 8-10 cups of fluid a day.
• Drink enough so your urine is light and clear.  Citrus beverages like lemonade and orange juice, as well as citrus-based sodas such as lemon-lime and orange-flavored ones, may also help reduce stone risk.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet; a diet high in animal protein is associated with kidney stone formation, so keep an eye on intake.
• Cut back on salt.
• Maintain a healthy weight and get regular physical activity

If you’re taking calcium supplements, talk with your doctor about your risk for kidney stones, and take calcium supplements with meals so the mineral better binds with oxalate.