If you’re overweight and regularly consume too much food and beverages high in sodium and oxalates, you run a higher risk of developing a kidney stone, especially if you don’t hydrate yourself properly.

A kidney stone is a hard deposit that forms within the urinary system of the kidney. It usually occurs when minerals, such as calcium, oxalate, uric acid, phosphate, combine and crystallise in the urine.

“Kidney stone or renal stone disease is a very common condition around the world. It is estimated to affect 2-3 per cent of the general population. In affluent countries like Singapore, it is linked to obesity and a high dietary intake of salt, protein and oxalate-rich foods,” says Dr Nor Azhari Bin Mohd Zam, Senior Consultant at the Urology Centre, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

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Symptoms of kidney stones

A kidney stone is not always symptomatic at an early stage. Pain and other symptoms of kidney stone may show up only when the stone has grown large in size and moves down the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.

“At this stage, the stone can cause spasms and blockage of the kidney. The pain can be so intense that the patient may roll around on the floor,” says Dr Nor Azhari.

Common symptoms of a kidney stone include:

  • Abdominal pain, which typically radiates from the loin to the groin
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI)

Related article:  Blood in Urine (Hematuria): Is It Always Dangerous?

Kidney stone causes and risk factors

There are many different types of kidney stone such as calcium stones (the most common), uric acid stones, struvite stones and cystine stones.

A kidney stone typically forms when the urine contains more minerals than it can dilute. Additionally, the urine may lack the substances to prevent these minerals from sticking together.

The main factors which can increase your risk of developing a kidney stone fall in the following five categories.

1. Environmental factors

  • Hot climate
    “The main environmental factor is living in a hot climate, where decreased fluid intake coupled with excess sweating can lead to low urine volume and an increased concentration of certain minerals in the urine,” says Dr Nor Azhari.

2. Dietary factors

  • Low fluid intake
  • High intake of foods rich in salt (sodium)
  • High intake of purine- and oxalate-rich foods
    • Oxalate-rich foods, e.g. peanuts, almonds, chocolates, strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, spinach, wheat bran
    • Oxalate-rich beverages, e.g. tea, coffee, beer, soy drinks
    • Purine-rich foods, e.g. organ meats, shellfish, sardine, anchovies

3. Hereditary factors

  • Family history of kidney stones
    “Individuals with a strong family history have 2-3 times the risk of developing a kidney stone compared to those who do not,” says Dr Nor Azhari.

4. Medical factors

  • Medical conditions such as hypercalcemia (increased levels of calcium in the blood), gout, renal tubular acidosis, chronic diarrhoea and bowel disorders.
    Individuals with these conditions are at increased risk of developing kidney stones.

5. Anatomical factors

  • Structural abnormalities in the kidneys and urinary system leading to obstruction or stasis of urine.
    Patients with conditions such as horseshoe kidneys, medullary sponge kidneys, renal calyceal diverticulum and pelviureteric junction obstruction, are at increased risk of developing kidney stones.

Read on to find out how are kidney stones treated and prevention advice.

Ref: S13

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