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Kidney stones form when urine becomes saturated with chemicals such as calcium oxalate, uric acid and cystine. Certain medications and diets increase risk by either decreasing urine volume or increasing stone-forming substances in urine.
Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in the body and leads to various health complications. Although studying whether stress causes kidney stones may provide some indication, definitive proof would require testing thousands of people over several years.
Can Stress Cause Kidney Stones?
Yes, stress can indirectly contribute to kidney stone formation. Chronic stress can lead to the development of kidney stones, solid mineral clusters that might obstruct urine flow or cause significant discomfort. Stress triggers physiological processes forming the stress response.
While these changes are short-lived under acute stress, prolonged stress maintains urine concentration, hormone production, and mineral buildup, fostering kidney stone creation. Stressful events elevate kidney stone risk years before symptoms arise.
Furthermore, stress-related dehydration plays a role. Animal studies suggest stress-induced low water and food intake, part of the fight-or-flight response, can lead to dehydration and eventual kidney stone development.
Risk Factors
People with a history of kidney stones are at an increased risk for future attacks, especially if they had one specific form of stone before.
Calcium oxalate kidney stones are among the most prevalent kidney stones, formed when calcium combines with oxalate produced when your body breaks down certain foods such as spinach, beets, chocolate, rhubarb and certain bran cereals. An inadequate fluid intake increases your risk for calcium oxalate kidney stones.
Other kinds of kidney stones include struvite stones that result from infection and uric acid stones caused by excessive protein and alcohol intake. People who have had one kidney stone are at increased risk for getting another within five to seven years.
Avoiding stress and decreasing meat consumption are critical elements in avoiding kidney stones. Be sure to drink lots of water, while trying to limit sugary beverages like soda and fruit juice as much as possible.
Symptoms
If kidney stones are left undiagnosed early, they can result in symptoms of urinary tract infection including back, abdomen and groin pain caused by pressure from the stone pressing on your kidneys and bladder and forcing urine out.
Pain levels range from mild to intense depending on its size; discomfort usually increases late at night or in the morning.
Signs of kidney stones include the need to urinate more frequently or experiencing burning during urination. Some individuals also develop fevers which indicates an infection may exist.
Doctors can usually diagnose kidney stones through physical exam and pressing on the abdomen to locate tender areas. Blood tests may also be run to measure levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium phosphate, and uric acid for those who form calcium oxalate stones.
Treatment
Doctors generally diagnose kidney stones by evaluating symptoms and conducting tests, including bloodwork and imaging.
Treatment depends on the type of kidney stone – for calcium oxalate stones, doctors typically advise following low sodium/high potassium diets while those suffering uric acid stones must avoid foods containing meats, shellfish or certain fruits; otherwise recurrence of stones could occur in their absence.
Studies comparing 200 kidney stone patients and 200 people without kidney stone conditions revealed that those who had experienced major stress were twice as likely to get another kidney stone, including positive events like marriage and giving birth, financial concerns and divorce.
Additional treatments for kidney stones include pain medication and surgery; alternatively a physician can use a tool threaded through their urinary tract to break them apart into small pieces.
Prevention
Experts advise drinking enough fluids, which will dilute urine and make it harder for crystals to clump together into kidney stones. Aim to drink two to three liters daily (68 to 96 ounces). Limit sodium consumption to no more than 2,300 milligrams daily.
If you experience kidney stones, your physician may prescribe pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). They’ll also encourage frequent urination to flush kidneys and bladder of debris.
Your doctor will conduct tests on both blood and urine samples to detect calcium oxalate levels as well as other minerals known to contribute to stone formation, including urea nitrogen and creatinine, along with any levels of uric acid and parathyroid hormone.
They may also check levels of allopurinol (Zyloprim, Zyprexa) or the combination drug Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim if required to decrease these substances which promote stone formation; your doctor may advise eating foods high in magnesium and potassium, which help prevent the development of these oxalate stone-forming stones.
What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney Stone Symptoms:
- Sudden, severe sharp pain in belly or back.
- Pain in back, belly, or side.
- Burning during urination.
- Urgent need to urinate.
- Blood in urine.
- Pink, red, or brown urine.
- Frequent urination.
- Pain or discomfort while urinating.
- Incomplete urination.
- Cloudy or odorous urine.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Chills.
If these symptoms arise, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Kidney Stones
Risk Factors for Kidney Stones:
1. Dietary factors:
– Dehydration: Insufficient water intake raises crystal-forming substances in urine, causing stones.
– High oxalate foods: Foods like spinach, rhubarb, chocolate can increase calcium oxalate stones.
– Excess animal protein: Red meat, poultry, seafood may raise uric acid and calcium stone risk.
– High salt intake: Sodium-rich diets elevate urine calcium levels, increasing calcium stone risk.
2. Genetic factors:
– Family history: Kidney stones in family raise personal risk.
3. Lifestyle factors:
– Obesity: Being overweight increases kidney stone risk.
– Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of activity contributes to stone formation.
– Occupation: Jobs with prolonged sitting or heat exposure elevate risk.
4. Medical conditions:
– Urinary tract infections: Infections boost struvite stone risk.
– Specific medical conditions: Gout, hyperparathyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease increase stone risk.
– Previous kidney stones: Past stones raise recurrence risk.
Stress can indirectly influence kidney stone formation by impacting physiology and hydration. However, stress alone isn’t a direct risk for kidney stones.
How Are Kidney Stones Treated
Treatment varies based on stone factors, symptoms, and size. Options include:
1. Small stones:
– Pain relief: OTC pain relievers (ibuprofen, naproxen).
– Fluid intake: Increased fluids to flush stones and prevent new ones.
– Medications: Alpha blockers may aid stone passage.
2. Moderate to large stones:
– Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL): Shock waves break stones for easier passage.
– Ureteroscopy: Tube/camera locate and remove/break stones.
– Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): Surgical incision to access and remove/break larger stones.
– Surgery: Rarely, surgical removal if other options fail.
3. Preventing future stones:
– Medications: Prescribed to prevent new stone formation, based on type and cause.
– Dietary changes: Modify diet—reduce sodium, animal protein; increase fluids; include stone-preventing foods.
– Lifestyle changes: Maintain healthy weight, stay active, prevent dehydration to avoid stone recurrence.
Consult a healthcare professional for tailored treatment plans and accurate diagnosis.
