Stones in the kidneys

From such a disease as kidney stones, up to 5% of the total population of the earth suffers. However, if you take into account the risk of developing the disease at least once throughout your life, then the bar should be raised almost twice. Kidney stones have become one of the most common diseases in the developed world, which is associated with improved standards of life, and, in addition, with race, nationality and place of residence. However, the causes of the appearance of kidney stones are not limited to this. In addition, the risk of kidney stones is affected by seasonal fluctuations, in which a high level of calcium oxalate in men is observed in the summer, and in women - in the beginning of winter. In men , kidney stones occur twice as often as in women. The most risky line for men in this regard is 30 years. Women, in turn, have two dangerous ages - 35 and 55 years respectively. After the first kidney stone is formed, the probability of forming a second stone in the next 5-7 years is 50%.

Recent studies have concluded that the formation of kidney stones is affected by a disease caused by microorganisms-nanobacteria related to Helicobacter pylori, as well as peptic ulcer of the duodenum . Nanobacteria are tiny microcellular bacteria forming a shell of calcium phosphate. These nanobacteria can be found in almost all kidney stones (in 97%), as well as in mineral plaques (Randell's plaques) in the papillary papillae.

Further crystallization and growth of the stone are associated with the effects of endogenous and dietary factors. The volume of urine, the concentration of solute and the level of inhibitors that affect the development of kidney stones (citrates, pyrophosphates, glycoproteins) are those important factors that also affect the formation of stone. Actually, the stone begins to crystallize when the concentration of two ions exceeds the saturation point of the solution.

However, the factor that directly caused the development of kidney stones remains, as a rule, not detected. It is only known that the risk of kidney stones increases threefold if your family already had people who suffered from kidney stones. In addition, insulin-resistant conditions, hypertension and gout in the history, primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic metabolic acidosis and surgical menopause play a role. In women who have reached menopause, the occurrence of kidney stones is associated with hypertension and a low content of magnesium and calcium in food.

Kidney stones are more common in those patients who have anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract, which can lead to stagnation of urine. Most patients (up to 80%) with kidney stones are exposed to one or more risk factors. 25% of kidney stones are originally idiopathic. In addition, as an adverse effect of several drugs, there is an increased risk of developing kidney stones.

Let's sum up the results

Calcium oxalate (both in itself and in combinations) is the most common substance from which stones in the kidneys are composed.

Low urine volume is the most common anomaly and the only important factor that should be paid attention to avoid relapse.

The risk of recurrence is 50% for a period of 5 to 7 years.

Treatment of kidney stones may require a low salt diet (<50 mmol / day) and a diet containing little animal protein (<52 g / day) as a measure to reduce the frequency of relapses.

Lowcorrection diets are not recommended as a measure of prevention of relapses, as they increase the excretion of oxalates and can adversely affect the balance of calcium in the body.

Most kidney stones less than 5 mm in diameter come out of the body by themselves.