What Causes Kidney Stones

The role of the kidney in our body is that of a filter. It actually removes the waste products from our body and also helps to keep a check on the levels of the chemicals that are essential for the functioning of our body. The urine goes from our kidney into the bladder. It passes through a narrow tube called ureter. When the bladder gets filled up we experience an urge to urinate. When this happens the bladder is emptied via the urethra which is a tube that is much larger in size than the ureter. In the case of some people the urine chemicals actually begin to crystallize. This is the beginning of a kidney stone. When the chemicals begin crystallizing and the stones are first formed, they are very small. However, these can grow from the size of a grain of sand to become as large as a coin.  If the stone is in the kidney, it does not cause any trouble to the person who has it. However, when it falls into the ureter it dams up the small tube. Our kidney continues to make urine which continues to empty through the ureter into the bladder. This naturally enough causes pressure which can cause pain. However, it is only when you drink a lot of water and ensure that you urinate frequently that the kidney stone is actually pushed out of the ureter, thus relieving you of your pain.

There is no one accepted reason for the development of kidney stones.

• However, heredity could be one important reason to account for the development of kidney stones.


• It has also been found that people living in certain geographical locations around the world are more likely to develop kidney stones than people in other areas. This is possibly linked to the climate and it has been found that people who live in hot climates are more likely to develop kidney stones. This could be because the heat causes dehydration, which in turn causes the urine to become concentrated, so that the chemicals begin forming the stone.


• Diet is one of the most important reasons for the development of the kidney stone. If a person is susceptible to the development of kidney stones, then a diet that is rich in calcium can cause a stone to form in the kidney. People who eat medicate of certain kinds – medicine which are high in calcium, are more likely to be in danger of stones forming.