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Kidney stones are a common and painful urinary condition that affects more than 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. While many only experience a kidney stone once, others face recurrent kidney stones—a frustrating cycle of pain and discomfort that can severely affect your quality of life.
If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, it’s important to understand why. Identifying the cause is the first step in preventing them from coming back.
What Causes Kidney Stones to Form?
Kidney stones are hard deposits made of crystallized minerals and salts that form in your urinary tract. Normally, these minerals are flushed out through urine, but when there’s too much buildup—or not enough fluid to flush them out—stones can form.
Common risk factors for kidney stones include:
- Dehydration (not drinking enough water)
- Diets high in protein, sugar, or sodium
- Obesity or metabolic disorders
- Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or gastric bypass surgery
- Genetics – Family history plays a role
- Certain medications or supplements, especially calcium or vitamin C
Why Do Some People Get Recurrent Kidney Stones?
If you’ve had more than one kidney stone, you’re more likely to develop another. In fact, about 50% of people who’ve had one kidney stone will develop another within 5 to 7 years.
Some possible causes of recurrent kidney stones include:
- Poor hydration habits (not consistently drinking enough water)
- Consistently high-sodium or high-protein diets
- Unmanaged underlying conditions, like diabetes or chronic UTIs
- Inherited disorders like cystinuria or primary hyperoxaluria, which cause excess minerals in urine
- Obesity, which alters urine composition and increases acid levels
The key to prevention is identifying and managing these underlying causes.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones from Coming Back
If you’ve experienced kidney stones more than once, your doctor may recommend personalized prevention strategies.
General prevention tips include:
- Stay Hydrated: Aim to drink at least 2–3 liters of water daily to dilute your urine and reduce stone-forming minerals.
- Adjust Your Diet: Limit salty foods, red meat, and processed sugar. Include more fruits, vegetables, and foods high in citrate like lemons and oranges.
- Limit Calcium Supplements: Talk to your doctor before taking calcium or vitamin C supplements, which can contribute to stone formation.
- Get Tested: A urine test or stone analysis can reveal the type of stone you’re prone to and help guide your prevention plan.
- Take Prescribed Medications: Some medications may help reduce calcium or acid levels in the urine to prevent stone formation.
Common Kidney Stone Symptoms
Symptoms of a kidney stone are usually hard to miss, especially when the stone moves through the urinary tract.
Watch for these signs:
- Severe lower back or abdominal pain
- Pain that comes in waves or shifts locations
- Pain or burning during urination
- Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Frequent urge to urinate, especially in small amounts
If you experience these symptoms, seek medical evaluation. Prompt treatment can prevent further complications.
When to See a Specialist
For people with recurrent kidney stones, seeing a nephrologist or urologist is key to long-term management. They can run blood and urine tests, identify your stone type, and provide individualized guidance to prevent future stones.
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Expert Kidney Stone Care at BASS Medical Group
At BASS Medical Group, we offer expert care for urinary and kidney-related conditions, including diagnosis, testing, and prevention of recurrent kidney stones. Our nephrology and urology specialists are here to help you manage your symptoms and stop the cycle of pain.
Serving patients throughout Walnut Creek, San Francisco, Concord, and the Bay Area.
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