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.
