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Types of Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that has formed in the kidney due to particles found in the urine that get trapped there. There are four main types of kidney stones, all of which are very painful.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of kidney stones include sharp cramping pains, nausea, frequent urination, fever, and vomiting. However, some people who have kidney stones show no symptoms at all.

    Calcium Phosphate Kidney Stones

    • The most common type of kidney stone contains calcium and small amounts of phosphate. In most healthy people, extra calcium that is stored in the kidneys is removed in urine. However, when this does not happen, a calcium phosphate kidney stone can be formed.

    Uric Acid Kidney Stones

    • Uric acid kidney stones form when there is too much acid found in the urine. This condition is often found in patients that eat a high amount of acid-rich foods.

    Struvite Kidney Stones

    • Struvite kidney stones usually form after urinary system infections. Struvite kidney stones make up about 10 to 15 percent of cases seen. Struvite stones consist of ammonia and magnesium.

    Cystine Kidney Stones

    • Cystine kidney stones form when there is too much cystine, a mineral that makes up nerves and muscle tissue, found in the urine. This type of kidney stone is hereditary.

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