| Kidney stones are hard masses developed | | | | When there is an increase of oxalate |
| in the kidney. Crystals separate from | | | | intake, excess oxalate combines with |
| urine and get deposited on the inner | | | | calcium to develop calcium oxalate |
| surface of kidney. These crystals slowly | | | | stones. Excessive intake of food and |
| build up to form hard stones. There are | | | | drink containing oxalate like leafy |
| several types of kidney stones depending | | | | green vegetables and brewed tea leads to |
| on the combination of chemicals in the | | | | calcium oxalate stones. Excessive intake |
| stone. Of the different types of kidney | | | | of Vitamin C may also lead to |
| stones, the most common type contains | | | | hyperoxaluria, increasing the chance of |
| calcium in combination with either | | | | kidney stones. Inflammatory bowel |
| oxalate or phosphate. Formation of | | | | disease, bowel resection and small bowel |
| stones depends on the nature of urine. | | | | bypass procedures may also lead to more |
| Calcium oxalate develops in acid urine | | | | absorption of oxalate by intestines. |
| of pH less than 6.0. Different | | | | Hypocitrauria |
| conditions that lead to the formation of | | | | Citrate has an effect on calcium stone |
| calcium oxalate stones are | | | | formation. Normal levels of citrate |
| hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, | | | | combine with calcium and form a soluble |
| hypocitrauria and hyperuricosuria. | | | | salt. This calcium citrate compound |
| Hypercalciuria | | | | inhibits the formation of calcium |
| Hypercalciuria is a condition referred | | | | oxalate and calcium phosphate crystals. |
| to an increase of calcium in the urine. | | | | Therefore, low levels of urinary citrate |
| Calcium is absorbed from food in excess. | | | | of hypocitrauria increases the chance of |
| This excess calcium is then excreted | | | | developing stones. |
| through urine. This excess calcium | | | | Hyperuricosuria |
| combines with other chemicals to form | | | | Hyperuricosuria is a condition that |
| crystals of calcium oxalate or calcium | | | | refers to an increase of uric acid in |
| phosphate in kidneys or urinary tract. | | | | urine. Uric acid crystals form in urine |
| Hyperoxaluria | | | | that has pH less than 5.5. Calcium |
| Hyperoxaluria is a condition referred to | | | | crystals then combine with uric acid |
| an increase of oxalate in the urine. | | | | crystals to form calcium oxalate stones. |