What causes kidney stones? While gallstones are more commonly known, kidney stones actually have a high incidence rate. Numerous factors contribute to their formation, and we should avoid preventable causes whenever possible. Kidney stones pose significant health risks and require timely treatment. Some traditional folk remedies for kidney stones have proven effective, which we will detail below.
Causes of Kidney Stones
1. Excessive Oxalate Accumulation
Excessive oxalate in the body is a primary cause of kidney stones. Many common foods contain oxalate, and it is precisely the consumption of oxalate-rich foods that predisposes individuals to kidney stones. Eating too many oxalate-containing foods increases the risk of developing kidney stones, so we should control our diet in daily life.
2. Abnormal Purine Metabolism
Many common foods contain purines, such as organ meats, peanuts, and spinach. When purines enter the body, they undergo metabolism, with uric acid as their final byproduct. Uric acid promotes the precipitation of oxalate in urine.Consuming large amounts of purine-rich foods at once can easily lead to stone formation.
3. Excessive Fat Intake
Excessive fat consumption is a primary cause of kidney stones. When the body ingests too much fat, it reduces the amount of calcium available for binding in the intestines. This increases oxalate absorption, leading to issues in the excretory system—such as excessive sweating, low water intake, and reduced urine output—making kidney stone formation more likely.
4. Excessive Protein Intake
Analysis of kidney stone composition reveals calcium oxalate constitutes 87.5% of stones. This high proportion stems from protein sources, which not only contain oxalate precursors—glycine and hydroxyproline—but also enhance intestinal calcium absorption.Regularly consuming excessive amounts of high-protein foods elevates calcium, oxalate, and uric acid levels in the kidneys and urine. If the kidneys cannot efficiently excrete this excess, conditions for developing kidney stones or ureteral stones are created. This is the primary reason for the rising incidence of kidney stones in economically developed countries worldwide.
5. Elevated sugar levels
Sugar is an essential nutrient requiring regular, moderate supplementation. However, sudden excessive intake—particularly of lactose—can also create conditions conducive to stone formation.Urology specialists at Beijing Military General Hospital note: Whether in healthy individuals or stone patients, consuming 100 grams of sucrose causes elevated calcium and oxalate concentrations in urine within two hours. Lactose intake further enhances calcium absorption, increasing the likelihood of calcium oxalate accumulation and urinary stone formation.
Hazards of Kidney Stones
1. When stones lodge in narrowed sections of the ureter, they can cause partial or complete obstruction, leading to urinary tract hydronephrosis, renal pelvis dilatation, and symptoms such as pain, dysuria, sudden interruption of urination, or urinary retention.Hematuria is classified as gross hematuria, where urine appears visibly red, or microscopic hematuria, where no color change is visible to the naked eye but red blood cells are detected under a microscope. Therefore, when a gout patient's urine test reveals a significant number of red blood cells under the microscope, it is essential to check for the presence of stones.
3. Approximately half of patients with long-standing kidney stones experience pain in the lower back and abdomen.Mild cases present as dull aches, distending pains, or vague discomfort; severe cases manifest as intense, paroxysmal, intermittent colic pain—sometimes described as knife-like—often radiating to the ipsilateral groin and perineum. A minority of kidney stone patients experience reflex pain on the unaffected side, typically milder than the affected side.
4. If kidney stones cause prolonged hydronephrosis (kidney swelling), obstructing urine flow and increasing pressure above the blockage, reduced renal blood flow may lead to tubular degeneration, necrosis, and kidney atrophy. This can result in diminished or complete loss of kidney function.
5. Urinary tract infections often occur as secondary infections following stone formation or stone surgery, commonly affecting the urethra and bladder, though they may also involve the renal pelvis or perirenal areas.
Dietary Considerations for Kidney Stones
Avoid foods high in oxalates
Approximately 60% of stones are calcium oxalate stones. Therefore, limit intake of oxalate-rich foods, including beans, beets, celery, chocolate, grapes, green peppers, cilantro, spinach, strawberries, and cruciferous vegetables.Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, tea, chocolate, dried figs, lamb, nuts, green peppers, black tea, and poppy seeds.
Monitor Protein Intake
Kidney stones are directly linked to protein consumption.Protein can increase levels of uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus in urine, contributing to stone formation. If you have a history of calcium stones, be especially mindful of excessive protein intake, particularly if you also have a history of hyperuricemia or cystine stones. Limit high-protein foods to 180 grams per day, including meat, cheese, chicken, and fish.
Consume Vitamin A-Rich Foods
Vitamin A-rich foods maintain urinary tract lining health and help prevent stone recurrence. Examples include carrots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and beef liver. However, high doses of vitamin A are toxic; consult your doctor before supplementation.
Folk Remedies for Kidney Stones
1.Moneywort and Chicken Gizzard Soup
50g moneywort, 2 chicken gizzards. Wash moneywort thoroughly and soak in cold water for 70 minutes. Remove food residue from gizzards, retaining inner lining. Simmer both ingredients in a clay pot with adequate water over low heat for 1 hour. Consume broth in two servings. Slice gizzards and dip in soy sauce.Once daily. Consume gizzards with meals. Dissolves stones, promotes urination, tonifies kidneys, and clears heat. Suitable for sandy or stony urinary conditions. 2. Chicken Gizzard Powder 500g chicken gizzards. Wash fresh gizzards thoroughly, dry, roast over low heat, grind into powder, and encapsulate. Take 5g three times daily continuously.Promotes diuresis and dissolves stones. Suitable for patients with sandy or stony urinary calculi.
3. Kidney-Tonifying Stone-Dissolving Decoction
100g moneywort, 30g each of stonewort, Semen Vitebii, chicken gizzard powder, mirabilite, and amber, 20g each of coptis, eucommia, and talc, 15g each of corydalis and achyranthes root,10g each of Pomegranate Root and Wood Fragrance. Decoct in water, take one dose daily. One course of treatment lasts 20 days. This formula clears heat, promotes urination, regulates qi, and invigorates blood circulation. It is particularly suitable for treating kidney stones.
4. Walnut and Astragalus Decoction
60g walnut kernels, 30g Astragalus membranaceus, honey to taste. Remove impurities from both herbs, decoct together in an earthenware pot until reduced to liquid. Strain out residue, then add honey. Take one dose daily for several consecutive days. Tonifies kidney qi, expels stones, and alleviates dysuria. Suitable for patients with qi deficiency accompanied by stones.
5. Blood Stasis Resolution and Stone Expulsion Decoction
15g each of Acorus tatarinowii rhizome, Curcuma zedoaria rhizome, Paeonia lactiflora root, Plantago seed; 9g each of Manis pentadactyla scale, Gleditsia thorn, Prunus persica kernel, Cyathula officinalis root, Citrus aurantium peel, Angelica dahurica root, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus; 6g each of Magnolia officinalis bark, Boswellia serrata resin, Commiphora myrrha resin, Coix seed;30g Moneywort. Decoct into 200ml. Take one dose daily, divided into two servings. Promotes blood circulation, resolves stasis, regulates qi, disperses nodules, and facilitates urination to expel stones.
6. Warming Yang and Promoting Water Decoction
6g Prepared Aconite Root (decoct for 2 hours first), 3g Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum cassia), 3g Sichuan Pepper,9g Psoralea corylifolia, 9g Dipsacus asper, 30g Ligustrum lucidum, 30g Alisma orientale, 30g Plantago seed, 30g Plantago asiatica, 10g Polygonatum sibiricum. Decoct twice, take one dose daily, divide the liquid into two servings. One course of treatment lasts 3 months. This formula warms yang, promotes diuresis, and expels stones.
The causes of kidney stone formation have been thoroughly explained above. How about it—do you now have a better understanding of this condition? Kidney stones pose significant risks and can be prevented through daily precautions. Dietary habits warrant particular attention: reduce intake of purine-rich foods and those high in uric acid.