Kidney Stones: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Kidney stones consist of crystals formed from minerals and acid salts in the urine. They are often a result of not drinking enough fluids, allowing waste products to become too concentrated.

The kidneys' pH level becomes too acidic making this an environment ripe for stones. These crystals can lodge in the kidney and get bigger. A stone stuck in a ureter will block urine flow, causing the kidney to swell and pain to escalate.

People with Crohns' Disease, Dent's Disease, high blood pressure, inflammatory bowel disease, and infections of the urinary tract are more prone to kidney stones.

Other conditions increasing susceptibility are hyperparathyroidism, obesity, medullary sponge kidney, and renal tubular acidosis. It is speculated that fluoridation of drinking water may also contribute............