Kidney stones are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys when urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid in your urine. While kidney stones are more common in men than women, anyone at any age can develop them. The possible causes of kidney stones in women include:
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Diet: Eating food with too much salt or sugar, high intake of animal protein, and high concentrations of a natural chemical compound known as purines found in organ meats and shellfish can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
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Dehydration: Drinking too little water can cause the minerals in urine to become more concentrated, leading to the formation of kidney stones.
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Obesity: High body mass index (BMI), large waist size, and weight gain have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.
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Digestive diseases and surgery: Gastric bypass surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic diarrhea can cause changes in the digestive process that affect your absorption of calcium and water, increasing the amounts of stone-forming substances in your urine.
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Other medical conditions: Renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, and repeated urinary tract infections can increase the risk of kidney stones.
It is important to note that if you experience symptoms such as sharp pains in your back, side, lower abdomen, or groin, pink, red, or brown blood in your urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or cloudy or bad-smelling urine, you should see a healthcare professional right away as these symptoms may mean you have a kidney stone or a more serious condition.
