How are Kidney Stones Formed?

Kidney filters waste products from our blood and releases them in the form of urine. However, accumulation or excess of certain salts, minerals and crystal forming substances in the body lead to accumulation of these substances over a period of time in the kidney eventually forming stones. It maybe that the urine lack substances that prevent these crystal forming substances from coagulating
Depending on the type of chemical which is accumulated either due to dietary reasons, medication or not drinking enough fluids to flush your system the stone types may vary.

Usually the following chemicals are the main culprits:

Are you having kidney stone repeatedly?

Certain people have a repeated tendency to develop kidney stones and among other people who may be more likely like the ones who:
    have had kidney stone before, especially if it was before the age of 25
    have a family history of kidney stones
    eat  a high protein diet and very little fibre.
    have had a number of kidney and urine infections
    have only one properly working kidney
    sedentary lifestyle or bed ridden
    have had intestinal bypass or Crohn's disease.
    Are on medications like asprin, antacids, certain antiretroviral medication (used to treat HIV), certain anti-epileptic medication, diuretics (used to reduce fluid build-up), certain antibiotics.

Types of kidney stones

Reason behind formation of each type or kidney stone

Calcium stones

Majority of people develop calcium stones which are the most common type of kidney stone, usually formed because of the presence of large amount of calcium in the urine. This may happen because of say an inherited condition like hypercalcuria which increases the levels of calcium in the urine, abnormal function in parathyroid gland (the parathyroid glands essentially maintains the quantity of calcium in the  body), kidney disease, some cancers or maybe a rare condition called sarcoidosis.

Appearance

Large and smooth or rough and spiky.

Struvite stones

These type of stones are commonly cause by infections. One of the major cause for their occurrence can be a urinary tract infection which has lasted a long time. Women are more likely to have them in comparison to men.

Uric acid stones

The presence of large amounts of acid in the urine can trigger the formation of uric acid stones. Eating a high protein diet especially meat, health condition like gout (an inflammatory arthritis which prevents break down of certain chemicals in the body), hereditary illness that heightens acid levels in the body and chemotherapy.    

Cystine stones

These stones affect a very small number of people and are rather rare in occurrence. An inherited condition like cystinuria which affects acid levels in the urine may cause them.